Distributed teams - tips and tricks to making them work, regardless of distance

Can the learnings we gleaned from shifting to a more remote forward working approach help us to find both balance and efficiency when working with distributed teams?
More and more often we find ourselves working with team members around the globe from Europe to India, South America to just down the street. How might we embrace these distances to get the most out of our talented team mates while honoring their work hours. Tools and tricks to help keep the communication running smoothly and asynchronously.

1. Distributed Teams Tips and Tricks to making them work, regardless of the distance

2. Introductions

3. What are distributed Teams? At least one team member not in the same place / time

4. Why do we have Distributed teams? Cost Conscious Less office space Lower cost development centers Culture Whole company Flexible / hybrid Talent Particular Skills Larger pool Team Availability

5. What are some of the challenges of distributed teams? Collaboration How do we work together effectively asynchronously How to enable the team to share ideas at speed (synchronously) Coordination How to keep everyone on the same page / working towards the same goal Communication How to keep information flowing between groups Social / Cultural How to avoid isolation, siloing, competition, blaming between members Security How to ensure data protection and compliance is maintained

6. What are the characteristics of High Performing Teams? Common Goal / Alignment Trusted open communication Right People and Skills Feedback/Visibility on/into the work being done Access to good tools

7. Let’s unpack those issues and share some tips and tricks Build alignment across the team Autonomous Asynchronous status Ensure Everyone knows their purpose and is empowered to act on it! Easy access to answers / knowledge

8. Let’s unpack those issues and share some tips and tricks Digital white board Text based multi channel communication Voice and video on demand

9. Synchronous Collaboration Video Chat Screen Sharing As ynchronous Collaboration Virtual Whiteboard Multi - channel Chat Virtual Planning Tool Async Standup Time zone Knowledge Transfer

10. Collaboration

11. Communication

12. Social / Cultural Retrospective Team Norming Security Training / Awareness Leadership Example In Person Days / Kickoff Automated security checks

13. Coordination

14. Personalities Has anyone had different personalities impact the effectiveness of their team?