Influencing Virtual Teams: 17 Tactics That Get Things Done with Your Remote Employees

I worked on projects where some members of the team were not local, so I am well familiar with the issues that arise working with people that are remote. The author provides no-nonsense suggestions on how to make teams with remote members work more effectively. The advice is not your generic "improve communication among your team" but rather very specific and concrete.The vast majority of the techniques are incredibly simple to implement, yet has been proven by case studies (the author includes references) to be effective. For example, giving a reason of why you are asking someone to do something increases compliance of carrying out the request by 33% compared with a request which had no explanation.Many other techniques are just as simple. Writing down tasks and commitments increases the probability that the tasks will be done by the virtual team. Setting specific deadline (as opposed to "I need it in a couple of days") and assigning specific people to be responsible for the task (rather than assigning a group of people without a specific individual responsible for the outcome) also improves the timeliness of the task completion.Some of the tips are less obvious and struck me as the opposite to what I have seen at work. A team that is located in the same area has a chance to socialize in the hallways so they have a chance to interact in a non-work related conversations. This forms bonds and friendships between individuals. With a remote team it is the manager's job to create such environment, so the author suggests starting some meetings with some off-topic discussions and a bit of banter to build those social bonds which otherwise might not form.This is an easy to read book. If you work with a remote team you probably do some of the things the author goes over in his book, but I suspect most people do not take advantage of all of the techniques. They are simple and effective. One does not have to be a manager to make use of these techniques to improve how he/she works with remote team members.What I learned in your book will help me in my day to day work.Ali Julia reviewTable of ContentsThree Reasons Why You Need Tills BookYour Free BonusTactic #1: One Word That Influences Your Virtual TeamTactic #2: Set DeadlinesTactic #3: Assign ResponsibilityTactic #4: Explain TasksTactic #R: When Delegating Tasks. Write Them OutTactic #6: The Secret Formula for Establishing TrustTactic #7: Increase Reliability Among Your TeamTactic #8: Increase the Level of LikeabilityTactic #9: Six Steps to Ensure 100% CommitmentTactic #10: Know What Someone Is Really ThinkingTactic #11: Leave the Perfect Voice MessageTactic #12: Write Assertive EmailsTactic #13: What You Should Do Before Every MeetingTactic #14: What You Should Do During Every MeetingTactic #15: What You Should Do After Every MeetingTactic si6: Use Your Voice to Your AdvantageTactic #17: Make Your Emails Stand Out Using The Subject LineConclusion ReferencesBonus downloads:- Meeting Agenda Template (MS Word .doc format)- Meeting Minutes Template (MS Word .doc format)- Time Zone Meeting Coordination ebook (Adobe .pdfformat)- Time Zone Meeting Coordination template (MS Excel.xls format)

Influencing Virtual Teams by Hassan Osman is a well-crafted, well-researched book with real-world experience applicability right out of starting gate. Although this book targets how to influence virtual teams, the information in this book easily applicable to non-virtual teams.Osman challenges the reader to be assertive (in a non-overbearing way), accountable for the work and tasks, conduct effective meetings, build trust (like-ability and reliability) with your team and much more. The book is broken down into 17 tactics. Each tactic contains digestible information with easy applicability to your daily work.Here are a few of my key takeaways:- Use the word "because" to increase your likelihood your message will be complied with.- Parkinson's Law - work expands to fit the time allotted for it.- Be direct and explicit with your task assignment and always include the assignee and deadline.- When someone volunteers for task, there is a greater likelihood the task will be completed.- Take discussions offline that interrupt your meeting or throw it off-topic.- Clarity of roles, assignments and tasks is greatest ally.- Lead by example - your team will follow what you do.The one thing I love that Hassan does really well is the "recap" sections at the end of some of the tactics. Some of the tactics have a number of steps or parts to them to really make it work. He organizes and re-caps the main points of the tactic where you could easily print it out and put it next to your computer to remember.Lastly, Osman has prepare a few "extras" for the reader. He provides links to downloadable templates to help you be successful with your virtual teams. If you lead any kind of team (virtual or other) this is book you should read.

I first downloaded a sample of this on my Kindle. The first thing the author mentions is that this book is small and purposefully void of any "fluff" to fill pages. I was reading this to help increase work productivity, so I was very thankful that the book was laid out in a very organized fashion and straight to the point. The principles the author provides are not rocket science - yet missing from 90% of remote teams. I have worked in management for 10 years, and while some concepts of the book I had already learned and implemented into my management style through trial and error BEFORE reading the book, it was a very insightful read.I should also mention, I am NOT an avid reader. It is not easy for me to pick up a book and stick with it. My brain moves at a million miles a minute and frankly I rarely have the time. I finished this book in one evening and was able to take personal notes as well.In short, why I really enjoyed this book?1. Great Info2. Straight to the Point3. No Fluff4. Actionable steps you can implement immediately.

It take me about 65 min with few interruption to read this book, a bit less than the 45 min I took to read another book from Hassan "Effective Delegation of Authority: A (Really) Short Book for New Managers About How to Delegate Work Using a Simple Delegation Process"Both books are concise, to the points and full with tips and advices you can readily use and apply. I love the three tactics about meetings: before, during and after.Quoting the author, these are indeed seventeen killer tactics that’ll help you motivate your virtual team to be more productive.Most of these tactics are common sense and so obvious but most often ignored by leaders and managers.This is a must read book for anyone leading or managing virtual teams.