Author: Harish Ramakrishnan

What is the most important element in managing virtual teams?

How is communication different between physical and virtual teams?

Will we continue to manage virtual teams?

Some questions answered by the PMI-Switzerland chapter event "Managing Virtual teams" , which was hosted in IBM Zurich and presented by the CIO of Le Creuset AG - Mr. Rafael Almoguera .

There is no better way to start a session on managing virtual teams than having virtual participants, our audience was located in 4 locations, Spain, Japan, UAE and ourselves in Switzerland. This provided a practical example of what the future of team management, training and overall business looked like.

First, Rafael introduced what is a virtual team and which companies have virtual teams - practically every one. He then introduced to the concept of 3T- Trust, Time and Technology.

Addressing the elephant in the room, Rafael then talked  about the key challenges faced by project managers while managing a virtual team, and as well the challenges faced by the team members in such a project.  With communication being one of the most important elements of a project, we learnt that for those who manage a Virual team and for those who are part of a virutal team, ability to communicate with out the use of Non verbal cues is important.

He then explained the characteristics of good teams and how those characteristics need enhancement when the team becomes virtual. He detailed the most important ingredient needed for building the best virtual team - Trust, he clarified how simple team building activities could improve the working relationship in virtual teams, for example he explained how things changed when his team flew for a team dinner activity of having a dinner together with the team physically once or twice a year can build such a high level of trust and comfort among the team.

We learnt to be able to succeed in managing a vritual team, we need to be able manage across cultures, use technology effectively, have a well understood process and most of all have Trust. Both those who manage and those who are being managed in a virtual team have the advantage of work life balance, diversity of perspectives, reduction in unnecessary travel -> inturn CO2 emissions , reduction in costs and increase job satisfaction.

With so much at stake, I understood from the session, virtual teams are to stay and more and more leaders are going manage their companies from their holiday homes .

Kind Regards,

Harish

Author: Daniel Rodellar, PMP

Editorial November 2023 -

Reflecting on the PM Conference and looking ahead

Dear readers,

In this edition of our newsletter, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of past accomplishments and future aspirations. The main reason is the resounding success of the PM Conference hosted at Roche (Basel) last October. We are excited to share with you an array of retrospective articles that will allow you to savor the rich insights, knowledge, and personal experiences that unfolded during this innovative event.

Our commitment to keeping you well-informed remains solid. Over the coming months, we will continue to curate a wealth of content designed to ensure you have access to a comprehensive overview of the conference proceedings. Rest assured, we aim to strike a delicate balance, providing depth without overwhelming you.
But that's not all. This newsletter issue also unveils an appealing glimpse into the future. We have recharged our creative engines and are gearing up for our usual event organizations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional events teams across various regions whose unwavering dedication consistently ensures the delivery of high-quality events. They truly rock!!, and their commitment to excellence never weakens.

I'd like to personally share my experience of the PM Conference. It was an effort that provided significant value and proved to be a remarkable learning experience. The insightful speakers and the stimulating interactions with fellow attendees offered a unique platform for in-depth discussions among peers. It was a forum where we contemplated novel approaches to work, fostering a culture of innovation and evolution.
The conference was an opportunity to challenge the status quo, explore uncharted territories, and adopt fresh perspectives on our work. It reaffirmed the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and collaboration in our ever-evolving professional landscape.

In the spirit of our ongoing journey together, we invite you to delve into the content within these pages and relive the moments from the PM Conference. As we set our sights on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate what the future holds and the collective wisdom we will gain along the way. Thank you for being part of our vibrant community, and for the many more shared experiences, learnings, and endeavors in the world of project management.

Warm regards,

Daniel

Communications Director at PMI CH Chapter

Author: Adi Muslic, VP Sponsors & Partners

Implementing Disciplined Agile at Swissquote

True business agility comes from freedom, not frameworks. Disciplined Agile helps you learn about your options and guides you to your best next step.

At our event on 9 November, Fostering Innovation and Optimizing Delivery: Embracing Disciplined Agile Practices in a FinTech, at Swissquote in Gland, you will have the opportunity to hear how Swissquote adapted their way of working using Disciplined Agile principles.

During this presentation, Edwige Fiaclou and Laetitia Aegerter-Cuello will explain through practical examples and solutions, how they addressed common challenges and how they always keep valuable takeaways in mind when applying these strategies, ensuring they remain competitive and innovative in an ever-changing environment.

Here are some highlights:

• Why did Swissquote choose Disciplined Agile?
• How is it applied?
• Disciplined Agile mindset 
• Choose your WoW in practice
• Value Stream in practice
• Short exercise
• Conclusion for innovation

The session will be followed by a networking apéro @Swissquote pub.

Author: Joanna Lubowiecka, PMP

Get to know your saboteur and explore how to handle them in your everyday PM challenges by Monika Keller 

Monika kicked off the session by sharing her experiences in a toxic work environment. She described the frustration and overwhelm she felt during work tasks, unsure of the source until a crucial conversation with her manager. The manager's questions revealed Monika's self-imposed pressure and responsibility, leading to the realization that she was contributing to the toxic atmosphere.

This led Monika to advocate for herself, adopting a smarter approach to work. This set the stage for discussing inner saboteurs, illustrated with examples of inefficient work practices like participation in unproductive meetings and self-sabotaging behaviors like procrastination or employee energy waste. 

Monika emphasized that, in most cases, we sabotage ourselves, others, and our circumstances. She introduced saboteurs—inner voices with predominantly negative impacts on our mindset but also work environment and decisions.

These include the Controller, Avoider, Hyper-Vigilant, Pleaser, Victim, Restless, Stickler, Hyper-Rational, and Hyper-Achiever.

A poll allowed us to identify our saboteurs, leading to insightful discussions with the participants. Results showed each person had at least one, often a combination. Personally, I recognized traits of both the Avoider and the Hyper-Achiever - avoiding unnecessary conflicts while never fully satisfied with achievements.

An important question was asked: when does the impact of these Saboteurs become a concern for us? The answer lies within: it becomes problematic only when you start feeling discontent and uncomfortable in your current situation. This statement is crucial because, as individuals, we have different limits and perspectives.

Monika guided us through exercises to manage negative emotions at work, demonstrating how to regain clarity of mind in two minutes. She introduced thinking and speaking like a Sage, regardless of your current role.

The five strengths of a Sage - Empathize, Explore, Innovate, Navigate, and Activate - were presented as crucial for effective leadership and building the balanced and respectful work environment. 

To learn more about inner Saboteurs, how to approach different situations and act as a Sage, you can visit Monikas website www.3c-keller.com and dive into the Mental Program she conducts.