Competing in the Global Marketplace: Challenges of Remote Collaboration

In the international marketplace, Global-bounded companies are faced with the dilemma of synchronizing the work of their remote collaboration teams. Working interdependently, unifying teams under one direction and having efficient meetings are the major challenges for these teams.

The challenge of working interdependently
Our research shows that people involved in remote collaboration struggle to work interdependently as a team. The lack of day-to-day interactions prevents the team from being connected and unified. The problem of making decisions without input from other team members is pertinent.

The challenge of unifying teams under one direction
When there is uncertainty in the goal and specifics connected to it, unifying remote teams under one direction becomes difficult. A non-unified team does not collaborate and is usually ineffective.

The challenge of efficient meetings
Efficient meetings are difficult in remote collaboration situations when team members are not unified in one absolute direction. There is a tendency to be distracted by local issues that divert the focus toward the strategic matters of the current project. The effects of inefficient meetings are poor decision-making and poor managerial control.

In summary, the negative effects of these challenges have a tendency to create vicious cycles. Time and money are wasted and team morale suffers. Progress towards the grand goal is impeded or never advances.

If project managers and their team members cannot resolve these basic collaborative challenges, how can they function when distance and culture become relevant?


--- More to come ---

Copyright: 2006-2007 © Collaboration360 Consultants (C360).
Copying, posting and reproduction in any form (without prior consent) is an infridgement of copyright.

Collaboration 360 Recommends

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Noticed that Mr. Tang is a superb problem solver and quite an innovative thinker. He is humble and committed to achieving quality in all of his pursuits.

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Mr. Tang's product development skills is A1.

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A White Paper on Compass AE Solution in Telecommuting

In the next few weeks, we will release a white paper on using our Compass AE process in telecommuting situations. If you are interested in viewing it, please contact us at service [at] collaboration360 [dot] com.

COMPASS AE Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What collaborative principle is Compass AE based on?
A: A team that collaboratively builds and connects with a tangible mission plan will implement the mission plan as a team regardless of the distance, the technology and the culture.

Q: What is so unique about our process of collaboratively building and connecting with a tangible mission plan?
A: As the implementers build their plan, they see the big picture. They also see the subtle connections within the grand goal, ensuring that they understand its purpose completely. The trainees also learn a lot about each other while building this tangible mission plan from how each member operates as an individual to how they interact in a team setting.

Q: What is the Tangible Vision?
A: The Tangible Vision is a goal, a plan that a Compass AE project team collaborates through. It also emphasizes a clearly-defined vision or mission statement that a team believes in.

Q: What is the Compass Cycle?
A: A revolving collaborative process called Build, Connect and Lead with the Tangible Vision.

Q: How does Compass AE work in terms of global collaboration?
A: The Compass team operates interdependently while being connected to its Tangible Vision. This ensures that each action aligns with the standards of the Tangible Vision. Whenever a change to their Tangible Vision occurs or a clarification is needed, they understand how to assemble the team and re-focus their attention on re-aligning the Tangible Vision toward the grand goal.

Q: Do we have a white paper on Compass AE?
A: Yes. If you are interested, please contact us at service[aat]collaboration360[dott]com

Q: How does our Compass AE training program work?
A: We start by interviewing the client to understand their current project and its details, the project team, the project culture, and the technology used. Then we lead a three-day seminar during which we guide the client's project team in understanding how to build, connect and lead with a Tangible Vision.

They Build and Connect their own Tangible Vision that they will Lead within the next seven to ten days. After the seminar, the client determines whether the Collaboration 360 advisor should assist in the monitoring of the team to ensure that there is proper collaboration during their process of Leading with their Tangible Vision.


Collaboration360 Consultants (C360). Copyright:2006-2007 © All rights reserved
Copying, posting and reproduction in any form (without prior consent) is an infringement of copyright.

If you are interested in knowing how Compass AE works, please contact us at service [aattt] collaboration360 [dottt] com. We have a white paper ready for your reading.

Does Your Virtual Team Connect to Collaborate?

During our past research, we discovered many virtual team projects are being under-served due to a lack of "poor vision", "poor specifics behind the goal" and "negative team collaboration".

We believe our team collaborative process is the answer to those problems.

When a virtual (project) team connects to our Compass AE process, they will collaborate as a team by building and connecting with their Tangible Vision. This level of unification enables them to completed their Tangible Vision properly and promptly.

A Compass AE project team that connects to collaborate will enable their company to compete effectively in the global marketplace.

If you are interested in more information on how Compass AE works, please contact us at service [at] collaboration360 [dot] com. We have a white paper ready for your reading.

Copyright:2007 © Collaboration360 Consultants (C360).
Copying, posting and reproduction in any form (without prior consent) is an infridgement of copyright.