Women and the Flat Connected World

From Anita Borg Institute Wiki

Panelists: Meenakshi Kaul-Basu (Sun Microsystems), Bev Crair (Quantum Corporation), Claudia Galván (Microsoft Corporation), Kristin Yvonne Rozier (NASA), Lydia Ash (Google), Radha Ratnaparkhi (IBM), Sumitha Prashanth (Sun Microsystems)

Globalization has forced companies to create new processes to empower distributed teams to collaborate. It could mean that individuals have to travel for longer periods of time across the globe, work at odd hours, and work from home or make other adjustments to accommodate a new working lifestyle.

Panelists will discuss and give their perspective on the topic, impact on women, and the technologies and strategies they use to maintain balance.

Summary/Takeaway from the discussion:

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 - Globalization has forced companies to set up offices around the globe
 - Resulting in multiple forms of collaboration, with no regard for geography, time, distance, culture or language;
 - Thus creating a “flat” world without such boundaries. 
 - Tech companies have embraced new processes and employees have adapted themselves to the new model 
 - Teams are distributed and diverse
 - Individuals are empowered to collaborate and be successful as a team. 
 - This implies 
      traveling for longer periods of time across the globe
      working at odd hours
      working from home 
      making other adjustments to accommodate a new working lifestyle
 - New tools are used for collaboration (Wiki, Forum, Blogs, ... )
 - New communication methodology (Video conference, WebEx, Telepresence, IM/Chat)
 - Panelists also shared their perspectives on their respective careers and tips on what worked for them.
     - Hire RIGHT and build rapport with partners
     - Set common goals & set-up procedures and communication strategy
     - Donot make assumptions; check on team and status often till protocol is set up. ("You may want to try doing xyz." implies "Go try xyz" but it may be misunderstood to mean "If you want you have the option to try xyz.". Cultural differences could lead to misunderstandings.)
     - Promote/reward teamwork
     - Trust the team to do and deliver
     - Communicate often. Over communication is OK
     - Maintain your flexible schedule, so you do not end up working around the clock with a global team
     - Set aside time to handle your own work 
     - There is no substitute to face-to-face time with the team mates. For managers this is a Must Do.