More and more I'm finding people who want to know how to work with, build and develop teams dispersed geographically (not in the same place, where the only link is via technology, and little face to face interaction.

If you are interested in this topic, then this is probably the book for you since it is about that subject DIRECTLY.

Recommended by Cyberculture, and includes stories from HP, Motorola and other companies using virtual teams.

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Product Description

Discussing the concept of the "virtual team" in the teamwork, this text brings together learning from companies pioneering the approach. It addresses issues posed by multi-site and global companies and presents a framework for understanding the pitfalls and obstacles that other organizations have overcome as well as the opportunities gained. Explanations of how to use technology effectively for distributed work include the rapidly emerging use of Intranets. Case studies of AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, NCR, and Bank of Boston are also presented.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1092139 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Amazon.com Review
Teams have become an increasingly important part of business success. The creation of virtual teams with members geographically scattered but electronically connected has set many companies on fire. Yet for all their power and flexibility, virtual teams face greater obstacles than traditional teams do. Organizational networking experts Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps provide the keys to successful virtual teams, showing how to harness their potential while avoiding their many potential pitfalls. The many case studies offered are particularly enlightening as the authors demonstrate the techniques, mechanics, and communications required to build the virtual teams that supercharge an enterprise.

Review
The authors of Virtual Teams are organizational networking experts who have assembled the equivalent of a virtual teams manual in this book. How to handle various planning and purposing schemes, such as successful videoconferencing sessions, is meticulously illustrated. In general terms, it puts the technology infrastructure in perspective as the support for virtual teams. Everyone from the team leader up to the corporate board could benefit from this book because of the importance of virtual teams. -- Upside, Michael Pellecchia

From the Publisher
The authors address major issues of virtual teams and how to work together electronically. There are descriptions of team principles, details on how to link the people (teams) together via technology which will enhance communications and increase productivity. Tells client stories from companies who depend upon virtual teams to execute their strategies including Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Bank of Boston, and Steelcase.

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Customer Reviews

Simultaneously Fundamental and Visionary...
"Virtual Teams" was a real treat for both my academic and consulting sensibilities. I have never seen such a thorough work on this topic. It is both fundamental and visionary at the same time.

In discourse with a fellow business consultant we bantered about the topic of Lipnack and Stamps latest book (of which I had received an advance copy). He said: "Unfortunately, Lipnack and Stamps(L&S) have been 10 years ahead of the curve with their understanding of the importance of networking."

"But," I replied, "With the book 'Virtual Teams' they offer the world-wide-race-to-the-Internet a well needed moment of reflection-during which they offer PURPOSE to connecting and give virtual teaming DEFINITION and DIRECTION." And the banter continued but we both agreed and got tingles as our chat echoed the truth of their statement:

"Communication technologies and computer networks-in particular the Internet-are underwriting this moment of pregnant potential." (p 240)

"You know," I concluded, "It's a good thing they (L&S) were ahead of their time-otherwise we would not have the language to discuss our 'interdependence' symptoms, to test our 'distributed business' hypothesis', and to realize how much responsibilty it is to be 'pregnant' with potential! Really! The capabilities and expectations we have to manage in these Internet days... how exciting, how dangerous! After all, 'net potential, without 'net performance is just predisposed waste, don't you agree?"

"Yeah, yeah Paula,--yadda, yadda, yadda; 'net, 'net, 'net...enough philosophy-so, should I read the book or not?"

"Go for it." I replied. "This book is not just an electronic blip about the latest fad of virtual teams- it is a study on careful communication, on planning and developing valuable distributed business relationships...a book to be savored and re-read over time."

(BTW --Mine is already all dog-eared and worn!)

Be prepared to THINK DEEP; when you read this book, SIP it SLOWLY and --ENJOY!

A "must-have" for any consultant.
Whether we choose to embrace technology, it is here to stay. Those who harness and leverage its capabilities will discover exciting new ways to conduct commerce. From entrepreneurial startups to the mega corporations, "Virtual Teams" explores not only how these emerging technologies will affect our daily activities but how our workplaces and social interactions will metamorphose. I highly recommend this book; Lipnack and Stamps are visionaries in field of networking. -- L. Alan Schuetz, President, DVMS, Inc.