TAO Podcast (Mobile Work Tip) - Free Conference Calls

In this Mobile Work Tip Phil talks about using free conference call services for real-time brainstorming with people you don’t get to see face to face.

**get more tips like these in our free Mobile Work Tipbook.**

Working Together…When Apart - WSJ.com

Working Together…When Apart - WSJ.com

Phil and I have been wood-shedding as of late, releasing updated versions of our Tipbooks, creating 3 new Virtual Training CDs, and conducting a number of Virtual Team Workshops youcanworkfromanywhere.com/store

When I saw this Wall Street Journal article I wanted to share it on the blog because it is a perfect distillation of the key issues and ideas in which we have been immersed.

Although each virtual team situation has unique qualities, there are some fundamental challenges that appear repeatedly - these are highlighted in this excellent article by Lynda Gratton along with 10 steps that any team can take to collaborate more effectively across distance.

In our workshops we often stress the importance of fostering informal communication, and many times organizations are surprised by this (or even dismiss the idea) because it is an area they have given little or no thought. I’d like to point out that the first step Ms. Gratton details relates to informal communication…

Notes from Jessica Lipnack on Virtual Teams and the Networked Organization

I came across this recent blog post with notes from a recent talk given by Jessica Lipnack, author of several books on virtual teams and CEO of Netage. She makes some wonderful observations about strategies for keeping virtual teams connected and some of the typical challenges.

Definitely worth a read . . .
Notes from Jessica Lipnack on Virtual Teams and the Networked Organization

Teams Across Timezones

There are many challenges when trying to manage or work on a cross-cultural virtual team. While some of these deal with language or differences in expressions, a more base issue is dealing with time. While there are a variety of tools that can be used for rich asynchronous communication and collaboration, there will be times when you want to have a live conference call or webconference to bring everyone together in real time.

When working with a global or wold-wide team it can be difficult to find a time that works for everyone on your team. I came across this post on the Web Worker Daily blog that offers some good tips and suggestions for dealing with timezone differences.

Web Worker Daily - Teams Across Timezones

Show #6: Working Together While Apart (Virtual Teams)

This week we discuss strategies, technologies, and trends for virtual teams and remote collaboration. Thanks to Jim McNeill for joining us as our guests on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 6: Working Together While Apart

The increase in outsourcing and advances in communication technology have both forced and allowed many organizations to explore virtual teamwork; while new to some, freelancers and artists are accustomed to working this way. Joined by artist and freelance graphic designer Jim McNeill, we discuss the challenges and benefits of virtual teams and collaborating across distance.

Here’s what we covered:

• In the News:
  
  • Happy 25th Birthday to the PC - boy have things changed!
  • Flight delays and new rules for carry on when traveling internationally - Are there other ways you can meet and collaborate without travel?
• Top 5 Virtual Team Tips: From our book 2-Minute Virtual Team Tips. You can also download a free tip book on our resource page.
• Our Guest: Jim McNeill, Artist and Freelance Graphic Designer. Be sure to check out the Jimplex (for some fun Flash animations) and find out more about these tessellations. Jim has been sharing his talent with us for years and is responsible for almost all our logos including The Anywhere Office, You Can Work From Anywhere, and MusicIsland.

Other Resources (including some things we mentioned in our Top 5 Virtual Team Tips):

• Online Virtual Offices and Shared Workplaces:

  • Webex Weboffice - One of the best web based virtual offices and the one we use to keep everyone on the same page.
  • Yahoo Groups - Looking for a free alternative? While not nearly as full featured as the Webex solution Yahoo groups are another way to keep your group or team connected.
• Free Conference Call Services:
  (for real time discussions, meetings, and brainstorming)
  • FreeConferenceCall.com - up to 96 people on a call and free call recording - WOW!
  • FreeConference.com
  • Mr. Conference
• Ze Frank on communicating via email - the always irreverant zefrank with a lesson on email communication

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

Show #4: Work is something you do, not some place you go

This week we took a look at pros, cons, and tips for working in a home office. Thanks to Jeff Zbar and Andy Simon for joining us as our guests on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 4: Work is something you do, not some place you go

Joined by musician and freelance audio engineer Andy Simon and Chief Home Officer Jeff Zbar, we will tackle the pros, cons, what fors and how tos of setting up and thriving in a home office. Whether you’re a solo professional, freelancer, telecommuter, day extender, or just someone who has a dedicated workspace at home - you don’t want to miss this broadcast!

Here’s what we covered:

• Top 5 Home Office Tips: From our book 2-Minute Home Office Tips. You can also download a free tip book on our resource page.
  
• Website Spotlight: Stetch and excercise with MyDailyYoga.com
• Tech Talk: Programs and services to share large files with others
  • IM programs like Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, or AOL Instant Messenger
  • YouSendIt.com
  • Avvenu
  • Pando
• Our Guests:
  • Jeff Zbar the “Chief Home Officer” - Journalist, Author, Speaker, and Consultant
  • Andy Simon - Musician and freelance audio engineer
• Music: Music leading into breaks “Don’t Know Where I’m Going” compliments of Andy Simon

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

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