Using the Intranet to Coach Team Leaders

Using the internal web in your organization to communicate corporate news, marketing information and employee benefits is only the beginning. Savvy organizations are turning their internal webs into training grounds. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, a new facet of on line training is now available; a just-in-time training and support tool for team leaders. People running project teams, product development teams, or even standing departments where teaming is a way of life, can now log on to the intranet and find The On Line Coach for Team Leaders.

This readily accessible electronic coach helps team leaders select and announce their teams more appropriately, launch new teams effectively and thoroughly, assist in dealing with team member conflicts, and even help you give feedback to team members who need corrective intervention. The On-Line Coach is derived from courses within the organization which teach leaders how to establish and manage teams over their life cycle. "The great thing about the OLC," says Larry Dreyer, "is that you can ask it for help at anytime and get immediate response, and you can even focus on a particular topic you need help with and get a good start at solving your problem or strategizing your leadership approach."

The OLC web site is in continual development, and will evolve as its users send in their questions, issues and examples to the management development professionals in charge of the service. McVinney & Company shaped the content and created the web site design and graphics. The On Line Coach for Team Leaders (OLC) is now available for your use and can be tailored to fit your specific team leadership requirements. It is currently available as a fully created HTML formatted site for your intranet.

Upcoming enhancements include the addition of your own stories and anecdotes of effective teams in action, in either or both audio and video formats, and internet access to your own OLC web site managed by McVinney & Company. For more information, see the OLC description and preview on this site, e-mail us at OLC@mcvinney.com or call us, and we'll be glad to tell you more.