Out of nowhere, my colleague, Diane Gayeski, who serves as Associate Dean and Professor of Communication at Ithaca College, found this little gem in her files. I got to know Diane well when we both worked on American Management Association's "Leading Virtual and Remote Teams" course, Diane as course designer, and I as subject matter expert.
What follows is a transcript of "Virtual Teams," an online author interview that Jeff Stamps and I did on CompuServe in 1997, the same year that our book by that name came out. Someone named "Anne" was moderator (where are you now, Anne?), along with a few participants who spoke, er, typed up. I'm still in touch with Alistair Bruce - yay, Alistair!
Enjoy, then, how people talked about this topic a dozen years ago. I particularly like the instructions as the whole thing was conducted via text: "If you have a question for our guests, please type a single ?" And how avant garde things seemed back then - when the future, as per this, was barely even imagined yet. Comments most welcome!
September 13, 1997
Virtual Teams with Jessica Lipnack & Jeffrey Stamps
CompuServe's Intranet Forum <GO INTRANET>
Anne/Moderator: Welcome to the Intranet Forum <GO INTRANET>!
Today's guests are Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps, authors of "Virtual Teams: Reaching Across Space, Time and Organizations with Technology" (Wiley). In their book, the authors help define "virtual teams" and explain how to use communication tools to transcend the traditional, physical boundaries of yesterday's workplace.
They also discuss the pros and cons of creating virtual teams and offer solid examples of successful teams which were more efficient and cost-effective to their organizations.
Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps are the founders of The Networking Institute (TNI) and have co-authored four other books relating to technology and the workplace.
If you have a question for our guests, please type a single ? and we'll take your questions in order. When you're done typing, please type <ga> so we know to "go ahead."
Jessica, Jeff, do you have anything you'd like to add?
Jessica Lipnack: Well, thanks, Anne for the intro. It's quite an experience for us to be online doing this forum. We first came online in 1979 and this is the first time in all those years that we've done an author forum.
Jeff Stamps: We would also like to hear from guests if they currently work in virtual teams
William Theuer:?
Anne/Moderator: Are you guys ready to take questions?
Jessica Lipnack: ready and able
William Theuer: I currently maintain a secure connection to the
Jeff Stamps: Yes, with flying fingers
William Theuer: ?
Anne/Moderator: Go ahead, William!
William Theuer: Sorry, I currently maintain a secure connection to the American Red Cross and can send messages over the MARS system thru another public service site. I have enjoyed the public service activity but have had no success in commercial activity. What do you suggest?
Jessica Lipnack: Are you asking a technical question? Or is this a marketing quest?
William Theuer: ITs both, I would suggest
Jessica Lipnack: Are looking for more customers than ARC?
William Theuer: ARC is a volunteer activity. The MARS messagesystem is also volunteer activity. I have exchanged many messages with folks around the world attempting to serve as a local liaison in Alaska but no tangible work so far has developed.
Jessica Lipnack: Let's talk about how you might create a network for a particular purpose.
Jeff Stamps: Do you have a passion you are looking to further?
Jessica Lipnack: If, for example, you were offering people updated info on what's happening with ARC on a regular basis, they might be interested. It's sometimes very slow going to offer a networking service without offering it *for a purpose.*
Jeff Stamps: Boy, we know that one, since we have been promoting network organizations for almost 20 years
William Theuer: That is the purpose of the ARCOnline Network. It is a secure lntranet from the NHQ.
Jessica Lipnack: Meanwhile, William, in our book, VIRTUAL TEAMS, there is a lot of info on how to develop clear purpose
Alistair Bruce: ?
Jessica Lipnack: go ahead
Anne/Moderator: Go ahead, Alistair!
Alistair Bruce: Thanks. I am working with many geographically dispersed workgroups in my firm. Many of them are teams which have existed for a number of years. The challenge now is bind them together in ways never before possible..using for example Lotus Notes db's, email, video and voice conferencing. Very exciting. I want to ask about one particular barrier we face. The junior and middle managers on the teams (age range 21 to 32) tend to be very enthusiastic. But the partners and older team members who really need to show leadership and use of the tools lag behind. The virtual teamrooms we are using will never be effective without their sponsorship. How can we convince them that, "there is something in it for them?" ga