5 minute read
Conclusion
from Business Studies Grade 10
by Impaq
Mini-Assessment Grid for Team evaluation exercise:
Headings completed Planning
Execution
Review
Documentation
Total Mark Rating: Not done: 0 Done: 1 Example: Not done: 0 Not relevant: 1 Suitable example: 2 Change in future: Not done: 0 Superficial: 1 – 2 In depth: 3 – 4 TOTAL
/2
/7
/7
/7
/7
/30
7. Conclusion
As you have learnt in this chapter, it is important to plan and think carefully about the teams in which you are working or playing. A lack of cooperation can end up with the task not being accomplished or worse! In Grades 11 and 12 you will learn more skills related to the management of teams such as the principles of Project Management, as well as more detail regarding the different roles that are performed by the various team members and problem-solving/conflict resolution skills for when your team hits a crisis.
Source: https://depositphotos.com/7438851/stock-photo-team-of-ants-constructing-bridge.html
Exercise 1.6: Remote team collaboration
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in many countries ( including South Africa) introducing a national lockdown, which meant that many businesses had to adapt, where possible, to their employees working from home (remote working). Working separately but still managing and participating in the team dynamic was a huge adjustment for both managers and employees alike, but many companies found it worked so well that they are considering flexible working options on a more permanent basis.
Break into groups, read the following case study and list the benefits of remote working for:
○ a business
○ an employee or employees.
Within your group you are likely to find that many of you have had the experience of your parents working from home, either during lockdown or on an ongoing basis. You can draw from these experiences as you progress through this chapter. (Suggestion: Be alert to, and make a note of, the benefits or remote working as you read further. You will need this for a later discussion.)
How To Make Your Remote Team Collaboration Work During Covid
Pandemic
By Aakanksha Shukla
If there’s a topic that’s being highly discussed right now, it’s remote work. More specifically, it is remote team collaboration. The spread of Covid-19 has forced many businesses to adopt “work from home” policies, and for some, it’s a striking change that has led to employee confusion, lost productivity, and general anxiety. This has sparked immense debate about the pros and cons of working remotely. Overall, most organisations are attempting to stay positive and adapt to the change.
Project Management Difficulties with Remote Teams
Virtual team management comes with real challenges, and you’ll need to learn to solve them in order to thrive.
1. Struggles with Communication
Arguably, communication is THE biggest challenge for companies transitioning to remote work. If you can find a strong method for communicating, then many of the other problems that come from working from home will resolve themselves. Now is the time to utilise or fine-tune communicationbased software like instant messaging, conferencing programs and task management tools. You’ll also need to clarify responsibilities more than you do in an office environment. Clarify what’s expected of each employee in terms of availability and communication on a daily, or even hourly, basis.
2. Building Trust with Remote Employees
Another issue that many managers and company leaders face is monitoring their employees when they could be thousands of miles away. How do you ensure that all of the jobs are accomplished and that remote workers are actually working, not goofing off and playing video games? The answer depends a bit on the employees’ responsibilities. Some might just need to turn in their tasks at the
end of the day – others might need to be available for customer support for a certain number of hours per day.
3. Maintaining A Productive Schedule
Since most people are working from home, the traditional nine-to-five schedule is kind of obsolete, right? Well, not necessarily. Just because everyone isn’t required to be in the office for the same hours doesn’t mean that work schedules can be willy-nilly. You’ll need to set expectations when it comes to “in-office” hours for those working from home. They could be more flexible, or they could be the same as usual, depending on your particular needs as a company.
4. Tackling Conflict from Far Away
The last potential issue we want to address is handling problems from afar. Conflicts can occur within any team, regardless of location – but a lack of face-to-face communication can make things even trickier. Messages get misinterpreted. A lack of communication leads to annoyance or even frustration. As a manager or a leader in the company, it might be difficult to spot conflicts as they arise and put an end to them before they disrupt work.
This means that in a remote work situation, it’s up to the leaders to keep an eye out for signs of anger, a lack of productivity, or personal disagreements. Monitor threads and message chains to watch for warning signs, and when you can, check-in with individuals to make sure all is going smoothly. If a conflict does arise, do your best to stop it in its tracks. Schedule a video conference call to allow for a more personal space in which people can air their grievances and opinions. Remote work can often make people feel less connected with their co-workers, so when you’re addressing problems, it’s important to reinstate that feeling of comradery.
In Conclusion
We know that good remote team collaboration is a solution that can benefit many different companies – the key is handling work-from-home situations in the correct manner. Focus on addressing problems before they arise, using the right tools, and looking for the benefits of this situation rather than just the drawbacks. Millions of people are working from home right now, and if you ask many, we could see a big shift in the increase of remote work post-pandemic.
Adapted from: https://www.e2msolutions.com/blog/remote-team-collaboration-in-pandemic/ [Downloaded: 14 June 2020]
