Learning management systems (LMSs) and virtual teams respond to a growing corporate need for efficient and large-scale online training initiatives. Online LMS tools can also aid companies in discovering, recruiting, training and working with staff from all over the world.
Whether virtual team members are located in the same building or across the world, a greater amount of work is being shared online–not to mention meetings and training processes. Geographically-dispersed teams tap into the knowledge and expertise of people from all across the globe. Virtual teams are an emerging and practical part of today’s global economy, and with the help of LMSs, easy and cost-effective to train.
Because virtual teams often include a diverse and powerful mix of individuals, good soft skills are necessary to create effective communication. Soft skills include but are not limited to work etiquette, cultural sensitivity, and negotiation skills.
Virtual teams used for training and organizational purposes require guidance and supervision from the beginning to the end. Team goals must be clearly stated. A learning management system can be employed to administer tasks to team members so that each person understands his or her role and objectives.
We’ve all heard of SMART, the acronym for organizational goals that reminds us they should be they should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, and Time-bound. And someone with experience working with a virtual team will tell you that the “Time-bound” part sometimes doesn’t materialize, and members need to redefine their goals. It is the leader’s responsibility to check up on a team’s progress and direction with their assignments and goals.
Learning management systems can help teams to define and achieve goals, tracking progress along the way and rewarding success. Instituting standard processes for executing projects, as well as cultivating a sense of egalitarianism among group members, is another role of a team leader that helps foster a more productive and efficient virtual team.
Additionally, use your company LMS to implement cultural sensitivity and communication training for team members. Companies cannot afford to limit online training to technical skills; in a competitive globalized economy, communication skills training is crucial to ensure virtual team success.