Question

As a group of managers consider yourself as Global Manager for one of the following Saudi companies: Jarir Bookstore, Baja, Al-Baik, Herfy or Coffee Day. At present the company you’ll choose is planning to do business in the USA and UK. You are required to develop a detail strategy on the following:

• What tools are they using for communications and task management?
• How you will manage the teams in both locations in terms of language, cultural, time, political, and economical differences?
• What are techniques that you will be using in order to create a strong team with a high level of teamwork?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of managing a virtual team?

i chose jarir bookstore, answer with at least 1000 words, put at least 3 references please

Answer 1

Herfy teams will use various tools for both communication and management of tasks. Herfy is using the Digital Marketing platform effectively and trying to integrate it with different platforms. Herfy is partnering with local marketing channel partners to help them reach local people with effective business strategy. The Content of the Marketing activities and the Marketing Channels will be the responsibility of the Partner Company. These Partner Companies will help Herfy during entry time to suitably place their product in US and UK market. Language of communication is English. Additionally, Project management software will be essential in the management of a virtual team. It guarantees transparent control of the workflow where team members can see what their colleagues in various locations are doing. Besides, software tools and cloud-based platforms will encourage communication among team member. For Task management again a collaboration with Local Partner in US and UK markets will be very helpful. For the operational control of the business, Partner Company will be given all rights and will be guided on how many employees needed in order to operate the reastaurants / for delivery. Skype Calls, Video Chats and other software will help employees at different locations to discuss and effectily complete tasks in time.

To manage a team in diverse locations Herfy should emphasise and develop Team Work skills, promote self leadershipand promote a global culture . along with this virtual team concept will also help in dealing at different locations.

Some of the benefits/ advantages of Virtual Team are:

- cost savings on on real estate, office spaces, utilities bills such as gas, electricity, water etc. and executives’ travel

- Virtual Teams allows leveraging the global talents. This brings together the experts and specialists from across the globe to work together on the project and can aide in smooth expansion of business n overseas markets

- Virtual Teams helps in Increased Productivity & Higher Profits since Team does not have to deal with unnecessary bureaucracy which slows down the decision making

- Since the members on Virtual Team span across the globe with different time zones , so this shortens the product development time as well as faster response time to demands in both global and local markets.

- Virtual Teams have created newer opportunities for people who are less mobile and hesitant to relocate due to various personal issues

Disadvantages of Virtual Team:

- The successful working of virtual team is supported by the efficient use of multiple communication technologies which costs. so acquiring best technologies cost good money for Company

- Due to cultutal differences at diverse locations globally, Vurtual Team platform mat create Conflicts, Lack of Trust & Collaboration

- Most of the communications in virtual environment is task-oriented and due to lack of personal/ physical interaction it creates a feeling of social isolation for workers/ exployees.

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