Uniting a physically-divided team

Sector: I.T. Industry

To improve the effectiveness of a large multi-cultural team located in offices in Bangalore, Montpellier, Bratislava, Limerick and Bracknell.

Met and understood from the leader’s perspective what did and didn’t work for his team.
Conducted 10-minute Needs Assessment conversations with each team member one month before workshop to flush out situations where improved executive presence would make the team and the individual more effective, determine the optimum length of workshop, and understand individuals’ learning styles.
Designed a workshop specifically to address the team’s most pressing needs – to communicate effectively (via phone, fax and email) across national boundaries, and to build a cohesive team from disparate individual executives.
Designed a preparation session to be worked through by each team member prior to workshop.
Delivered workshop. Each participant created a development action tool to increase their skill set, to put into practice after the workshop.
Conducted follow-up telephone conversations with each team member to discuss lessons learned in executing their specific development action item.

A team that enjoyed working as a team, rather than a group of individuals.
The team requested opportunities to state achievements and challenges in a more open and less judgemental atmosphere.
The team developed a much more effective problem-solving capability.
The team’s compliance with timescales and deadlines improved significantly.
Their boss reported a much greater individual commitment to the team.
The team moved from “good, steady performer” status to “rising star” status over one financial quarter (as measured by their Employee Satisfaction Survey).