black-tarot.blogspot.com

Having tried and tested principles to guide you through the mire of leading virtual teams- technical and non-technical alike.

You know, the kind of teams that are used to operating within geographical, functional or individual silos, don't communicate with each other and so on..

Here are the 10 top tips that can turn make a difference to how teams relate to others, which is as important as technical savvy if you want to achieve results.

1. Identity:

Establish team identity - be it through the project they are working on or the IT organization they are member of - through a clear and simple mission statement.

Companies often think that the IT teams are so absorbed by the technical world, that they have no interest in what they're doing it for, when actually they often appreciate being guided. This can instill a sense of purpose, which, when incorporated into identity and mission can be highly motivational.

2. Common goals:

Establish clear and measurable goals, milestones etc. for the team as a whole and the individuals within the team.

3. Effective organization:

Define a clear organization, roles & responsibilities that is allows for the individuals to excel and get the best out of themselves, as a team and as individuals.

4. Empowerment:

Make team members genuinely feel empowered, focus on the WHAT not the HOW. I don't mean an away day with lots of cheering and baseball caps, although I have nothing against joy and tasteful head wear. This is about allowing your people to follow through on their ideas and manage projects/tasks the way they see fit - within reason and giving a suitable level of guidance, as required.

5. Effective Communications culture:

Establish clear and pragmatic team communications plan (status calls/meetings, etc.), foster a culture where team members at all levels openly raise opinions and ideas, and challenge others even if they are more senior. Create a culture of talking rather than writing and walk the talk!

6. Be WITH the team:

Lead from the front - be integral part of the team, be with them in the trenches, especially in challenging times. Be approachable beyond the cliché. Make sure you spend sufficient time with ALL team members, not only those in the center (HQ).

7. Recognition:

Continuously and publicly recognize achievements, of the team as a whole and individuals within the team, making sure senior management and stakeholders are informed in also in the presence of the team (be it in writing, phone or meeting).

8. Rewards:

Define and implement a fair incentive plan in line with project/team goals. This is not necessarily about a big fat bonus, (cue 'sigh of relief'). There are many ways to incentivize: a social occasion, vouchers, free membership to an online or offline portal or publication, days off in-lieu etc.

9. Performance:

Regularly review team and individual performance and do NOT hesitate to make necessary changes when required, even if those are not popular in some quarters.

10. Fun:

Make sure the fun bit is not forgotten, find the way for the team to have fun too alongside the day to day job!

Get in touch with Alison (CEO, Switchvision). Let me know if you've any questions by emailing

1) Don't let your commute wreck your back

According to US Census Bureau data, the average American commutes 25.5 minutes to work each way, and nearly 10% of us spend as much as an hour or more driving each way. Most of us fail to configure our car seats for correct ergonomics, so our time behind the wheel can seriously harm our posture.

Driving with your hands toward the top of your steering wheel tends to pull your shoulders forward, which causes your chest to collapse, rounding your upper back and leads to a hunched posture. Instead, next time you're driving to work, try the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel, or even 8 and 2. You'll immediately notice the lowered hand positions open your chest, which encourages a straighter upper back and a more erect driving posture.

2) Make every doorway a reminder to keep in good posture

I originally read about this tip in a book by Leil Lowndes. Walk into every room-even if it's empty-like you're the guest of honor. This may sound a bit strange, but it's a great tip. Use every doorway you walk through as a reminder to keep your head up, your chin up, your shoulders back, and your chest slightly out. Most of us pass through dozens of doorways every day, and using those door frames as a reminder to get yourself into great posture is a powerful, easy technique.

3) Palms up for good posture

This is another very basic tip, but it requires very little effort and it's highly effective. This is a simple way to get yourself back in good posture, especially when you're seated. I do this at my desk throughout the day, because after a while in the seat, my shoulders tend to round forward. With your elbows at your side, simply face your palms toward the ceiling. This simple move can pull your shoulders back and bring your shoulder blades closer together, which opens up your chest and immediately improves your posture. Try it right now-it really works.

4) Do shoulder rolls at your desk twice a day

Sitting at a desk eventually causes all of us to round our shoulders forward, so occasionally it's a good idea to loosen them up and get back into good posture. For this simple exercise, sit tall in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Shrug your shoulders and roll them back, feeling your shoulder blades drawn down as you do. You should feel your chest stretch as your shoulders pull back. Do four or five rolls, then relax and take a breath. Repeat the rolls two or three times and do this exercise twice a day.

5) Raise your monitor

One of the easiest ways to improve your office ergonomic setup is to make sure your monitor is set to the correct height. If your monitor is too low, the tendency is to tilt your head forward, and each inch your head goes forward adds 10 lbs. of pressure on your neck and upper back. Using a ream of paper or two, or a monitor stand that can be purchased at any office supply store, raise your monitor so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. You'll notice the difference immediately and your neck will thank you.

6) Use (or make) a lumbar support

Many of today's desk chairs do not have adequate lumbar (lower back) support and as a result, many of us have developed lower back pain, in addition to poor posture. After sitting at your desk for prolonged periods of time, there's a natural tendency to lean forward, which often pushes your lower back outwards. This unnatural posterior curvature of the spine is often the cause of lower back pain. There are dozens of accessory lumbar supports available, or if you want to make your own, you can roll up a towel and use a few rubber bands to keep it from unrolling.

7) On your drive home, use the rearview mirror trick to stay upright

At the end of a long workday, most of us fall into our car and sit in a slouched position as we drive home, furthering the habit of poor posture. But this simple tip is a surprisingly effective way to keep upright during your commute. When you first enter your car, sit in upright posture, with your chin up, your back straight and your head high. Adjust the rearview mirror so that it is correctly aimed for this position and commence driving. Over time, we all have the tendency to settle into our seats, so when your posture does begin to slouch, you'll have an instant reminder to sit up because your mirror will now be aimed uncomfortably high. Get yourself back into upright posture and the mirror will be back in the right position. As little as an inch or so of slouching makes a surprising difference in the mirror's position, so use this simple tip to keep yourself in good driving posture.