Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

1

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy

Sitearm Madonna (SL)Is One Life Enough (DIT)

2016

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

2

It’s Important to Understand...

• Today we will review tips for working effectively as teams. These tips apply as much online as in everyday physical interaction.

• Collaboration is a technology too.

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

3

Our respective backgrounds (Poll)

Audience Background• Age range (<1980, 1980-

2000, >2000)• Working in teams (face-to-

face, online only)• Experiences working in

teams (positive, negative)• Familiarity with team

effectiveness practices (BP, MB, BE, BS, etc.)

Presenter Background• Elbow Room, Bent Minds,

The Rainforest, Emerald Garden, Phoenix Spa Resort, Dublin Sim, various themed promotional events

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

4

Tech we have used so far (Poll) ToolMode

One-Way Offline (Asynchronous Tech)

Live Interactive (Synchronous Tech)

Textual Email (e.g., Gmail)Message (e.g., web, smartphone)

Instant Messaging & Conferencing (e.g., web, smartphone, Second Life)

Audial Voicemail (e.g., phone, smartphone)

Phone & Phone Conferencing (e.g., web, phone, smartphone, Second Life)

Visual Video mail (e.g., smartphone, Dropbox)

Video & Video Conferencing (e.g., web, smartphone, Skype, Facetime, Second Life)

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

5

Team Operations (can be seen as a) Business Process Model

TeamOperations

Available Team Members, Time,

Labor, & Materials

TeamResults

AssignedProject Goals& Constraints

… -> Personal Commitment… -> Personal Competence… -> Teamwork

TeamEffectivenessFactors

inputs outputs

controls

supports

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

6

Collaboration tech pays off…

• When working in teams, knowing what you can and what you can not count on from your self and from others will ease the headaches so much that you may even enjoy it.– As a team member and a team leader,– Now and in the future.

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

7

How Do I…Area Action Example

Increase personal commitment (new assignment, new group)

Increase perceived interestIncrease perceived benefit

Link the circumstances to what you know motivates you – personal? societal?

Understand personal temperament (clarity)

Consult Myers-Briggs chart Identify how you know you work better - introvert vs. extrovert?, logical vs. emotional?, other

Increase personal competence (new skill area, new environment)

Increase perceived relevanceInvest time, learning, practice

What else are you working on that this experience will benefit – career?, avocation?, other

Understand personal talent (clarity)

Prioritize list of existing skills & experience

What accomplishments pleased you most? How?

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

8

How Do We…Area Action Example

Set goals as a team effectively

Use brainstorming & decision-making rules

No “duck shooting” during idea generationAgreed decision-making method (voting, other)

Operate as a team effectively

Use meeting best practices Meeting early & often at first to establish momentumRigorous follow-up & communicationAllowing for “storming & norming”

Understand team role types

Consult Belbin chart Relaxed vs. rigorous leadership stylesNarrow vs. broad beam work focuses

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

9

Team Operations (can be seen as a) Business Process Model

TeamOperations

Available Team Members, Time,

Labor, & Materials

TeamResults

AssignedProject Goals& Constraints

Temperament + … -> Personal CommitmentTalent + … -> Personal CompetenceTrust + … -> Teamwork

TeamEffectivenessFactors

inputs outputs

controls

supports

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

10

Team Best Practices Include…• At meeting beginnings, clearly identify outcomes, steps, and

supporting resources (task cycle)• At meeting ends, clearly identify decisions vs. follow-ups vs. issues

(minutes)• In presenting, allow for catastrophe (dress rehearsal well before

due date, backup script for each team member’s presentation part)

• In planning, allow for early-project vs. later-project skills relevance• Communicate with extra clarity & precision to compensate for lack

of live person-to-person interaction (active listening, sarcasm signaling)

• Regularly poll team likes & wishes (process checks)

Online Collaboration Tips for the Tech-Savvy by Sitearm Madonna

11

It’s Important To Remember…

• Collaboration is a technology too – use it.• Resources

– Team Building Tips by Sitearm, 2015, pages 6-9http://www.slideshare.net/sitearm/team-building-tips-iole-spring-2015

– Does personality type affect compensation? by Houston Chroniclehttp://blog.chron.com/careerrescue/2016/10/does-your-personality-type-affect-your-compensation/

– What group projects are supposed to teach you, by Eesley (humor)https://www.pinterest.com/pin/142144931959280009/