New! Intro to Virtual Worlds video from Sun

Introduction to Virtual Worlds video from Sun - amazing technology and messaging in this video! 

 

Robin Williams from the Sun Information Services: Digital Libraries & Research team created this video: 

 

 

See if you can spot me! (as my Second Life avatar)

 

We have built a replica of our real-world next gen space in Second Life, and we have had people tell us they've mixed up their memories on whether they were in our real- or virtual-world space! No, really!

 

I think people's brains are willing to accept various visual and other clues that they are in a "working environment," even when it's not their usual one. Another example might be working from a hotel, at some point, you are just talking on the phone and doing email, just like you usually do at work. This may feel like a normal work environment, even if you don't have your usual desk and chair.

 

 

 

Posted via web from dianaf's posterous

Today is a Perfect Day for This!

via youtube.com

This would feel great right now, as it's got to be in the 90's outside! (Of course, I wonder how many times they had to reposition the pool to get it just right?)

Posted via web from dianaf's posterous

What is a formal distributed work program?

Some companies, through acquisitions, telecommute options, and marketplace forces, may have a formal distributed work, or “work-from-everywhere,” program. Other names for employee-focused flexible work location programs are flexible working, hoteling, telecommuting, work-from-home, “digital nomads,” or “road warriors.” Usually, these programs have formal polices around the employee programs, but may not have any formal programs or tools for other distributed teams.

In upcoming entries, I will discuss some ways that companies may find themselves with distributed teams that were created "accidently," as well as some ways to improve the work flow, and with any luck, the work output, of these teams. These improvements may also increase work satisfaction, reduce frustrations, and improve relationships between workers. It may also give a company some new options for how to quickly enter a new market location, or how to integrate an acquisition.

What is a Distributed Team?

(note: I use distributed teams and virtual teams interchangeably)

When the members of a team don’t physically sit together, then they are a distributed, or virtual, team. In other words, their work together is done in a virtual setting.

Sometimes, only one person may be separate from the rest of the team; for example, the manager of a project who holds weekly calls with the programming team in Asia. The other extreme may involve every single person on the team being in a separate location. Most distributed teams fall in between, where some members may sit together, another group may sit in another place, and some individuals may be in their own unique locations.

In addition, some companies may have a formalized Distributed Work Program.

Blogging Again

Sorry I’ve been away from this blog for so long, I’ve been publishing on our corporate wiki instead. However, I have some thoughts around distributed teams that are more suitable to blogging, so I thought I’d dust this off, and publish here again. Comments welcome!

I'm sure I'll have more to talk about, since basketball season is getting closer... go Cardinal!