Erucall News Media

What are the challenges of managing Virtual teams? Why do some succeed than others? Where are we headed with new virtual teams web2.0 technologies or web-native tools such as socialtext?

Last night I posted a comment on web worker daily in response to a discussion going on, Are companies scaling back from Virtual teams? I share below those remarks.

Comment on web worker daily Nov 27^th 2:20pm

I think managing virtual offices is a bit difficult than most would agree. Cutting cost and network security could be reasons for the changes… ‘I’ and ‘myself’ believe that we have great tools on the web that can be integrated in the web workplace… to make telecommuting fun and enjoyable.

Web workers are a people that embrace technology and want to stay in touch with friends on G-talk responsibly, check that Flickr account, check Myspace, listen to some music streamed online or Facebook… whatever it is that drives the curiosity to keep exploring the big library of information out there that is called the World Wide Web while staying productive… And not to be isolated in a cubicle with an I-pod for eight hours doing the same function repetitively.

Gotomeeting.com(www.gotomeeting.com)is one great such service that allows web conferencing, This makes it easy for the web worker to join in trainings and interact with the trainers and co-workers via voice(www.skype.com) or text chat using an array of instant messengers available in the Age of Social Networking… I am sure with more web/video conferencing tools, secure networks and social networking business approach… Web workers need not to worry if you are based anywhere else other than Africa.

I am trying to start a Community Media Center in a rural part and the quotation to get on the internet grid at high speeds is nauseating.

Quoting from one of the providers… “My recommendation is that you build the place first then you plan to bring in internet access. There is rural electrification now in Kenya and probably the place has electricity already if not you will need to have a good generator, which will cost you at minimum US $10,000 labor and materials . depending on the size of the building you should budget about US $ 5000 for labor and wiring for internet for all computers , also need a back up power unit for about US $6500. Once you have all these items done then we talk about bringing internet to your place. The budget for that , VSAT equipment and routers will cost you about $10,000 plus monthly cost of a minimum of US $ 1500 for bandwidth based on the amount you will require.”

$1,500.00 for High speed connection… Yada Yada Yada… I propose enabling the space center with capabilities to provide high speed connection via satellite to the rest of the developing nations… to bridge that digital divide.

Jeff Makana.

Chief Editor.