An exciting new approach to teamwork has resulted from advances in information technology...

Assessment 2: Persuasive evaluation

An exciting new approach to teamwork has resulted from advances in information technology, shifting employee expectations and the globalisation of business, namely the virtual team. The appeal of forming virtual teams is clear. Employees can manage their work and personal lives more flexibly, and they have the opportunity to interact with colleagues around the world.

Companies can use the best and lowest-cost global talent and significantly reduce their real estate costs. However, virtual teams are hard to get right.

Your boss, the Marketing Director of Company XYZ, is deciding whether to develop a new virtual marketing team with staff located in Melbourne, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Bangalore or keep things the way they are with separate marketing teams within each country.

What will your advice be to the Marketing Director? Will you argue for or against the creation of the virtual team? Why?