Staying Ahead of the Talent Development Curve: Managing and Developing Remote Teams in a Green, Global Economy (Part 2 of 2) - continued

 4.  Facilitate the Session

Facilitating a remote learning session is similar to facilitating any other remote meeting.  The following tips can help your learning session run more smoothly and effectively:

• Ask that participants say their name before beginning to speak.

• Speak clearly and minimize background noise in the room.

• Ensure that one person speaks at a time – many speaker phones will cut off other parties when someone is speaking or if there is excessive background noise.

• Encourage a variety of diverse ideas and opinions. Value each remote participant’s individual perspective.

• Check in frequently to clarify key points.

• Use active listening techniques – rephrase, reflect, ask open-ended questions.

• Avoid having one or two people dominate the conversation.

• Assume that participants will become distracted within 10-15 minutes so check in with individuals frequently and randomly to discourage multi-tasking.

• Ensure that participants are finished speaking before next person begins.

Continuous Learning for Remote Teams
In addition to more formal learning sessions, technology provides a host of tools and platforms for knowledge/experience sharing and learning to occur on a continuous basis within your remote team. 

Important company-wide information and training can be shared via podcasts.  Social networking sites such as Facebook®, MySpace® and LinkedIn® have already been mentioned.  In addition to these networks, there are a number of so-called “white label” social networking platforms that allow companies to build their own social networks.

One of the most powerful continuous learning practices involves sharing the collective knowledge of the organization.  Webster’s Dictionary defines a “Wiki” as “a web site that allows visitors to make changes, contributions, or corrections.”  Most everyone is familiar with Wikipedia®.  Wiki software is now available that enables companies to set up their own Wiki’s so that remote team members can optimize knowledge sharing through their own user generated content. 

With any change comes some level of apprehension and hidden danger along with a sense of hidden opportunity.  Globalization and the move toward a green economy have created more and more dispersed teams.  The good news is that leadership is still leadership – and the wonders of new technologies have removed many of the barriers of physical distance.  Practicing great leadership and making the most of technology to lead and develop remote teams will enable organizations to achieve more than they ever have in the past.