BUS 633
Virtual Teams
BUS 633: Project and Operational Management
Virtual Teams
As advances in technology have been made, companies are relying more on that
technology to help with their day to day activities done. Technology and the invention of the
personal computer had changed the way people worked in the 1980’s. For many years, people
worked on pier to pier networks or with individual terminals working and pointing to a single
mainframe. Fast forward to 1990’s and many people started getting computers for personal use.
Next came dial up to the internet, and before we knew it, we were all dependent on technology
for our home use. Here we are 30 years later, more dependent on our computers and personal
devices than ever before. Many companies rely and depend on these advances in technology to
continue to succeed in an ever-changing environment. It’s because of these continuing advances
in technology that when hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, companies were ready to switch
operations to full time working remote. This shift in working in an office to working remote has
its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of working remote
One of the biggest advantages in companies allowing remote work is the increased talent
pool. A company that allows remote work is no longer bound to the geographical location of the
office. (Reddy n.d) And example of this would be an Information Technology department. A
company could have resources on and off-shore and this allows for almost a 24/7 operation.
Farmers Insurance Group (the company I work for) utilizes both on and offshore resources. The
benefit to this is that the cost of labor is cheaper in other countries and we can get more done for
the dollar. We are also able to hire someone who lives on the East Coast even though our
, headquarters in in California. Technology allows us to communicate regardless of our location.
We are able to utilize tools such as the internet, VPN, BOX, email, Sharepoint, WebEx, Zoom
and WebEx Teams.
Another benefit of technology advancement is that it has presented a better work life
balance. “According to a recent FlexJobs survey of more than 4,000 respondents working from
home in response to the coronavirus, 73% said that working from home improved their work-life
balance. This allowed them to spend more time with their partner, family or pets.” (Spiggle,
2020) The amount of time people are saving from commuting in a car, bus or train is lowering
stress. A survey from PGi found that telecommuting employees see 82% improvements in stress
level. 80% in morale, 70% increase in productivity, and 69% improved absenteeism. (PGi 2014)
This can be attributed to less time in traffic. Living in California, I would spend on average 2.5
hours a day in traffic just getting to and from work every day.
Another advantage is increased productivity. Technology has advanced so much that we
are now able to do our job from anywhere in the world. I started this course 5 weeks ago and
was on vacation during one of those weeks. I was able to take my computer with me and
continue doing my school work. I was also able to work for part of that time. There are also less
interruptions and distractions. I recall being knee deep into something, and someone coming
over to my desk to ask me a question or to just talk and catch up. (Water cooler chats) According
to a study at the University of California Irvine, “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15
seconds to get back on task.” (Lastoe, n.d). The interruptions for just basic chatting are reduced
significantly.
Other advantages include higher morale and job satisfaction. Many companies agree, that
as long as you are working core hours, they are content. This means that there is greater
flexibility in start and end times. This also allows for employees to get more sleep. For
example, a person who has to commute to work would get up an hour prior to needing to leave
Virtual Teams
BUS 633: Project and Operational Management
Virtual Teams
As advances in technology have been made, companies are relying more on that
technology to help with their day to day activities done. Technology and the invention of the
personal computer had changed the way people worked in the 1980’s. For many years, people
worked on pier to pier networks or with individual terminals working and pointing to a single
mainframe. Fast forward to 1990’s and many people started getting computers for personal use.
Next came dial up to the internet, and before we knew it, we were all dependent on technology
for our home use. Here we are 30 years later, more dependent on our computers and personal
devices than ever before. Many companies rely and depend on these advances in technology to
continue to succeed in an ever-changing environment. It’s because of these continuing advances
in technology that when hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, companies were ready to switch
operations to full time working remote. This shift in working in an office to working remote has
its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of working remote
One of the biggest advantages in companies allowing remote work is the increased talent
pool. A company that allows remote work is no longer bound to the geographical location of the
office. (Reddy n.d) And example of this would be an Information Technology department. A
company could have resources on and off-shore and this allows for almost a 24/7 operation.
Farmers Insurance Group (the company I work for) utilizes both on and offshore resources. The
benefit to this is that the cost of labor is cheaper in other countries and we can get more done for
the dollar. We are also able to hire someone who lives on the East Coast even though our
, headquarters in in California. Technology allows us to communicate regardless of our location.
We are able to utilize tools such as the internet, VPN, BOX, email, Sharepoint, WebEx, Zoom
and WebEx Teams.
Another benefit of technology advancement is that it has presented a better work life
balance. “According to a recent FlexJobs survey of more than 4,000 respondents working from
home in response to the coronavirus, 73% said that working from home improved their work-life
balance. This allowed them to spend more time with their partner, family or pets.” (Spiggle,
2020) The amount of time people are saving from commuting in a car, bus or train is lowering
stress. A survey from PGi found that telecommuting employees see 82% improvements in stress
level. 80% in morale, 70% increase in productivity, and 69% improved absenteeism. (PGi 2014)
This can be attributed to less time in traffic. Living in California, I would spend on average 2.5
hours a day in traffic just getting to and from work every day.
Another advantage is increased productivity. Technology has advanced so much that we
are now able to do our job from anywhere in the world. I started this course 5 weeks ago and
was on vacation during one of those weeks. I was able to take my computer with me and
continue doing my school work. I was also able to work for part of that time. There are also less
interruptions and distractions. I recall being knee deep into something, and someone coming
over to my desk to ask me a question or to just talk and catch up. (Water cooler chats) According
to a study at the University of California Irvine, “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15
seconds to get back on task.” (Lastoe, n.d). The interruptions for just basic chatting are reduced
significantly.
Other advantages include higher morale and job satisfaction. Many companies agree, that
as long as you are working core hours, they are content. This means that there is greater
flexibility in start and end times. This also allows for employees to get more sleep. For
example, a person who has to commute to work would get up an hour prior to needing to leave
