Identify optimal information and communication technology

Project 4: Implementing Virtual Teams

Step 7: Address Country Cultural Differences

The next challenge to tackle is cultural differences. As a result of this merger, many members of your virtual teams will be French, Japanese, and American, and you will need to make suggestions about how to navigate cultural differences and preferences among team members of these nationalities. This resource on country cultural differences provides guidance about how to proceed with this important component of your team project.

After reading the resources on country cultural differences, complete the following tasks:

• Identify potential sources of concern about having company operations in different locations around the world.

• Make and defend recommendations about the optimal approach to prepare for cultural differences and preferences among team members.

Step 8: Research Group Decision-Making Processes

You have probably come to realize since you started working on this project the importance of having good mechanisms in place to make decisions as a group. Research and compile a list of specific resources for brainstorming and other decision-making processes.

Step 9: Identify Training and Technology Needs

After reading up on how to make decisions as a group, your next step will be to identify training opportunities. To identify those opportunities, complete the following tasks:

• Identify optimal information and communication technology (ICT) (team communication) to facilitate communication, collaboration, and decision making.

• Identify necessary training for virtual teams and consider the pros and cons of the CEO’s preference to conduct the team training online rather than with a preliminary face-to-face meeting.

• Include a cost-benefit analysis that helps the CEO understand the pros and cons of her preference for virtual teams. Refer to the Michel and Oliverio (2007) article in cost-benefit analysis.