Virtual Skills Workshop Course Outline

Introduction: 15 min
Welcome, workshop overview, and introductions.

Adapt to Virtual Work: 45 min
Creating an at-home work environment that maximizes productivity.

Lead Yourself: 50 min
Taking the initiative and other virtual survival skills.

Break: 10 min

Interact with Others: 20 min
Setting boundaries and resolving conflict in the virtual workplace.

Communicate Effectively: 1 hr
The Three Ws" of communication (Who, Which method, and Ways to communicate).

Engage the Main Office: 5 min
Staying connected whether you telecommute 1 day per week or 5.

Workshop Close: 10 min

The Virtual Skills Workshop™ contains these training materials:

Facilitator Guide and Appendix
Participant Workbook and Appendix
Virtual Skills Resource Companion™
Train the Trainer Workshop

The Facilitator Guide enables trainers of all levels to deliver the Workshop with as much or as little support as desired. Facilitator actions such as "Introduce", "Read", "Explain", and others are clearly indicated to enable smooth transitions between the Workshop sections. Full instructions are provided for all activities and expected participant responses are provided for all group discussions.

The Participant Workbook was created to be an easy to use reference source for telecommuters after the Workshop is over. Handy tips, techniques, and guidelines are provided for EVERY skill taught in the class.

The Virtual Skills Resource Companion™ provides additional components for each of the five key soft skills outlined in the ALICE model. The Companion may be used to:

Customize the Workshop to fit the unique needs of your company's virtual workforce.
Develop follow-up courses.
Provide managers with team-building activities.

Train the Trainer ("TTT") Workshops are provided to allow facilitators a "first pass" through the materials and a chance for practice. We offer the TTT in group sessions, or one-on-one. Optional components include:

Observation: A WRV master trainer attends a Workshop led by your facilitator and provides personal feedback and recommendations.
Facilitation Skills: Material and practice on effective delivery and facilitation is included in the TTT. This is very helpful for new or beginning trainers.

What about the MANAGERS?

The Virtual Skills Workshop is an excellent course for managers of telecommuters, too. The Facilitator Guide provides specific tie-ins for how managers can coach and assist telecommuters in maximizing their productivity. Those managing telecommuters will learn to:

Understand the unique requirements of remote workers.
Develop effective results-oriented performance expectations.
Implement work processes and policies to enhance teamwork between employees at the main office and those working at home.

Our experience has shown that training programs are much more effective when managers understand what their people are being taught. Having telecommuters and their managers in the same Workshop provides a common perspective, clarifies expectations, and enables collaboration. Managers leave the Workshop with a better understanding of the challenges their telecommuters (and non-telecommuters) face, and specific ideas for addressing them.

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