In the international world of business there is a greater emphasis on the use of state of the art technologies to work more effectively in a virtual world to promote and develop virtual teams. The competitive corporate world uses virtual interfaces more than ever and such virtual engagements enhance professional relationships that determine how people work together to achieve the optimum goals for themselves and their business.

Businesses are investing more resources in electronic, computing resources and technical support to meet the ever growing demands of doing international business in a virtual world. It is the responsibility of people working together in the virtual world to have finely tuned interpersonal skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their employers.

Examine TWO different areas of virtual teamwork required to develop better virtual working relationships. Some of these areas may include: decision making, cross cultural/intercultural, leadership, education and training, challenges, trust and motivation. Provide at least TWO examples of each of these aspects from the real world that shows how people in the professional world are successfully engaging in virtual communication to promote the virtual teams that they are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes for all concerned. [1200 words]

Introduction – General Statements

Criteria Element: • The introduction has very clear relevant general statements
Criteria Element: • There is a very fluent narrowing of these statements refining to the actual topic

(a) In the international world of business there is a greater emphasis on the use of state-of-the-art technologies

(b) work more effectively in a virtual world to promote and develop virtual teams.

(c) The competitive corporate world uses virtual interfaces more than ever and such virtual engagements enhance professional relationships

(d) These professional relationships determine how people work together to achieve the optimum goals for themselves and their business.

(e) Businesses are investing more resources in electronic, computing resources and technical support to meet the ever growing demands of doing international business in a virtual world.

(f) It is the responsibility of people working together in the virtual world to have finely tuned interpersonal skills, knowledge and experience

(g) This will ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their employers.

N.B. (Nota Bene: from the Italian and Latin meaning ‘Note Well’ , ‘Pay special attention’, or ‘Be very aware!’)
Use the ‘The Introduction – Virtual Teamwork Essay’ to complete this element successfully. The general statements should be directly related to the to the background information from the question. You may use some research within their introduction that may be related to some of the background information. I would think that you should have at least FOUR to FIVE relevant general statements.

Introduction – Thesis Statement

Criteria Element: • The thesis statement very accurately shows the direction of the essay

N.B. The thesis statement should clearly indicate the specific subtopics. It should also indicate that examples will be provided to illustrate how people in the professional world are successfully engaging in virtual communication to promote the virtual teams that they are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes for all concerned.

Topic Sentences
Criteria Elements:
• Two paragraphs begin with topic sentences that are very accurate in expression and relevance
• Two topic sentences very accurately match the topics in the thesis statement

N.B. THE TOPIC SENTENCES for Body Paragraphs ONE and THREE should include 3 distinct features, i.e.,

(a) the subtopic
(b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

THE TOPIC SENTENCES for Body Paragraphs TWO and FOUR should include 4 distinct features, i.e.,

(a) Examples/ Demonstrate/ Illustrate
(b) the subtopic
(c) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(d) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

Research Material

Criteria Element: • Research material for the two paragraphs is very well chosen and correctly integrated

N.B. To identify whether the support material is well chosen or not can be simply answered by asking, ‘Does the research in the paragraph match or reflect the topic sentence?

For example, are the key words relevant to the subtopic in the quote or paraphrase? Are the key words relevant to?

(a) the subtopic
(b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

Criteria Element: • Two paragraphs show very strong analytical and critical thinking in response to the research

N.B. There are THREE very clear and simple ways for you to respond to or analyse the research that you have chosen.

1. What does the research mean in relation to the question?

(a) the subtopic
(b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

(a) This means that . . . (b) This shows that . . . (c) This illustrates that . . . (d) This exemplifies that . . . (e) This explains why . . . (f) This indicates that . . .

2. Why is this research important in relation to the question?

(a) the subtopic
(b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

(a) This is important because . . . (b) This is significant because . . . (c) This is imperative . . .
(d) This is a central aspect of . . . (e) This is vital to . . .

3. A more complex response requires the student to firstly ‘speak’ to the research in relation
to its 1. Meaning OR 2. Importance. Then you may compare and contrast the research you
have presented.

(a) the subtopic
(b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams
(c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals

Criteria Element: • Shows a very comprehensive variety of research sources for the two paragraphs

N.B. You will need at least TWO different pieces of research in each paragraph from TWO totally different books, EBooks or database sources. Criteria Element: • Two paragraphs have a very clearly written closing sentence

N.B. The closing sentence is directly related to the topic sentence and usually starts with the objective (c) are working in to achieve the best possible outcomes/ optimum goals (a) (a) the subtopic (b) developing/ promoting/ enhancing virtual teams

Referencing

Criteria Element: • All direct quotes and paraphrases are very accurately punctuated

Criteria Element: • Reference list is very accurate and completely matches all in-text citations

N.B. To ensure the best result in these elements you will need to study the QUT APA Referencing rules then get feedback from your tutor or LLA (Language and Learning Advisor).

Written Communication

Criteria Element: • Highly accurate grammar, and punctuation

Criteria Element: • Very fluent use of language

N.B. To ensure the best result in these elements you will need to edit your essay draft you’re your student partners first. Once you have done this then you can then get feedback from your tutor or LLA (Language and Learning Advisor).