Reference no: EM13748031

Action Items

Locate an article on the SEU Digital Library that applies to a relevant topic that you want to learn about in this course.

Post a thread in the Discussion Board that describes this article and why you feel it is relevant to this class. Your post should be a approximately 2 -3 paragraphs (150-200 words)

Respond to another student's post before the end of the week. Consider and reflect on your fellow student's point of view. Simply saying that you agree or disagree is not a sufficient response.

Bring your article to class for discussion

Action Items

Answer the following questions using the discussion board topic "4-1: Creating a Strong Virtual Team." The answers should be 3-5 paragraphs with 3-5 sentences per paragraph and will justify your answer. This discussion topic is based off of this week's readings, so make sure you have reviewed Chapter 3, as well as any supplemental readings prior to completing your response.

Question 1: As a virtual team member, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages that exist within the following environments: Home office, Hotel, Café, or Coffee house? What suggestions could you present to team members?

Question 2: What criteria does the virtual manager use to identify and evaluate the best candidates for their team? Is the selection criterion for virtual team members fair? Why or why not?

Action Items

Answer the following questions using the discussion board topic "6-1: Let's Outsource It." The answers should be 3-5 paragraphs with 3-5 sentences per paragraph and will justify your answer. This discussion topic is based off of this week's readings, so make sure you have reviewed

Chapter 5, as well as any supplemental readings prior to completing your response.

Question 1: What are the apparent rewards and challenges that advance from an organization's decision to outsource a project or service?

Question 2: If you were managing a technology company that specialized in game development, what outsourcing strategies could you employ that would give your organization a competitive advantage? As a virtual manager, what steps should be taken to assure that all outsourced projects are completed using the proper standards and quality as deemed necessary by your organization?

Action Items

Answer the following question using the discussion board topic "10-1: Global Communication and Team Politics." The answers should be 3-5 paragraphs with 3-5 sentences per paragraph and will justify your answer. This discussion topic is based off of this week's readings, so make sure you have reviewed Chapters 9-10, as well as any supplemental readings prior to completing your response.

Question 1: The 21st Century has ushered in a new wave of digital age tools that enable us to collaborate from almost every corner of the world via computers, the internet, and cell phones. Though these tools are convenient and sometimes efficient, some still prefer the social presence experienced through face-to-face meetings. In stating such, how important is social presence to you and what type of affect could distance have on virtual team member's ability and motivation to collaborate with the group? What strategies could you employ, as a virtual manager, to alleviate issues related to distance without causing tension between team members?

Action Items

Answer the following questions using the discussion board topic "12-1: Managing Risk in a Virtual Environment." The answers should be 3-5 paragraphs with 3-5 sentences per paragraph and will justify your answer. This discussion topic is based off of this week's readings, so make sure you have reviewed Chapter 12, as well as any supplemental readings prior to completing your response.

Question 1: Should a sudden reduction of internal project staff be considered a catastrophic event or poor planning on the side of management?

Question 2: What are three potential risks that exist when managing virtual teams across several time zones? Given the risks that you listed, what plans could you put in place to manage and control them?

Action Items

Answer the following questions using the discussion board topic "14-1: Virtual Leadership Characteristics." The answers should be 3-5 paragraphs with 3-5 sentences per paragraph and will justify your answer. This discussion topic is based off of this week's readings, so make sure you have reviewed Chapter 14, as well as any supplemental readings prior to completing your response.

Question 1: In Chapter 14 of the text, it was noted that the virtual manager has to become the leader through influence, not through authority. Do you agree with this statement from the author? Why or why not? Be detailed in your response to justify your argument either way.

Question 2: Now that this course is coming to a close, what are some of the positive attributes that you could take from this experience and possibly add to your current or future career in management?