Create a single frame video conference using a peopleclock

I discovered this very simple technique in an article in the Harvard Business Review, Can Absence Make a Team Grow Stronger. One of the problems of audio-only conferences is keeping concentration when you lack any visual stimuli.

Often we get fixated on the soft side of teams and change management. By this I mean techniques concerning how do we get the right team, how do we understand the team members personal motivations, how do we create a good team working environment and how do we resolve conflict.

These are all vitally important however we may forget that this is only half the story.....

Addressing the problem of virtual team freeloaders

One of the biggest problems in virtual teams is freeriding (aka freeloading or loafing) where certain team members do not pull their weight.

Creating the conditions for team development

Central to the living systems view of teams, networks and organisations, is the recognition and acceptance that their behaviour 'emerges' rather than appears in a controllable, predictable way.

How to instantly uncover the distinctive footprint of any business network

As we all know there are many different types of business network.These include trade associations, virtual supply chains and clusters, best practice networks and pure business networking forums.The label ‘business network’ lacks sufficient granularity to tell you what a network is really about.

The Bumblebee's favourite team development techniques

People are always asking me about good (proven) techniques for developing and supporting teams, networks and communities.So I have put together an introduction to my favourite fifteen techniques for teams with a short description of each.

For example the “High Concept” technique

In another article I introduced an excellent paper from the London School of Economics which proposed a number of areas where virtual teams and virtual networks could learn from the film industry.

How to avoid nasty surprises in supporting virtual teams

From my experience of working with teams, often due to business deadline pressures, we do not spend enough time at the start taking a quick look or Profile of the overall shape of the team.

and the most evolved non-human species on the planet is not who you think it is! Arie de Geus is credited by many as the inventor of the concept of "the learning organisation". In his book "The Living Company" Arie describes an interview with Professor Alan Wilson, distinguished zoologist and botanist.

Buy it now from:
Amazon.Com
Amazon.Co.UK

Ron Armstrong writes a good introduction on Self-Managed Team Leadership in LeaderValues which is a rich on-line source of thinking and best practice on all aspects of leadership.