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There are 4 modules in this course
Airplanes gave us the ability to travel across oceans to visit international team members. But virtual spaces are now bringing us together in an instant. New rules have been written, and as work-from-home is on the rise, re-written, and they bring their own unique cross-cultural challenges. We’ll discuss communication differences unique to text-driven spaces like email and instant message as well as the evolving world of video conferencing. We’ll explore unique cultural challenges brought up by this “new office”, such as the blending of private and public spaces, the “virtual water cooler” of informal virtual communication, and the “time zone dance” done by teams sharing virtual work done while one half is asleep. The future is now. Thanks to technological advances, we have an opportunity to show up, share our cultures, and build creative and innovative pathways to successful multinational teams. Let’s build best practices together in this virtual space and then work together to make them go viral!
In this module, you will be able to discuss the benefits and challenges of written and verbal communication cues and be able to define how virtual communication has changed modern business communication. You'll be able to discover how people process information in the virtual space and be able to compare and contrast virtual communication with in-person communication. You will be able to specify the differences in virtual written communications versus verbal communication. And finally, you'll be able to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual tolls of communication as substitutes for in-person communications.
Professional Panelist: Maheedharan Thiagarajan•5 minutes
Professional Panelist: Pankaj Mehta•5 minutes
Professional Panelist: Renato Junqueira Santos Pereira•5 minutes
Professional Panelist: Karine Salanon•5 minutes
Professional Panelist: Yu-Chao (Justin) Wang•5 minutes
Non-Verbal Communication•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Oral vs. Written Communication Practice Quiz (Ungraded)•30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
9 discussion prompts•Total 110 minutes
Learning Goals•10 minutes
Virtual Communication•10 minutes
Benefits and Drawbacks•5 minutes
Oral vs. Written Communication•10 minutes
In-Person vs. Virtual Communication•30 minutes
Virtual Conferencing Fatigue•15 minutes
Scenario 1: Liese and Burkhard•10 minutes
Scenario 2: Jonathan and Oscar•10 minutes
Your Preferences•10 minutes
How Culture Shows Up in Virtual Communication
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will be able to recognize how your identity shows up or does not show up clearly in a virtual space. You will be able to explore how culture plays a role in today's written and verbal communications and be able to look at culture with a wider lens to provide a framework for building your virtual team. You will be able to recognize how our innate biases show up when we can and can not see someone's face and be able to build a safe virtual space what allows all personalities to succeed.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment7 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 18 minutes
Module Introduction•3 minutes
Culture in Virtual Workspaces•6 minutes
Videoconferences•6 minutes
Written•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
7 discussion prompts•Total 65 minutes
Advice For Effective Virtual Communication•10 minutes
Resolving Conflict - Part 1•5 minutes
Resolving Conflict - Part 2•10 minutes
Navigating Cultural Differences•10 minutes
Resolving Conflict - Part 1•10 minutes
Resolving Conflict - Part 2•10 minutes
"Face Time"•10 minutes
Cultural Challenges for Virtual Teams
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will be able to recognize and respond to cultural differences in establishing what is a public and private space within your business team. You will be able to discuss strategies for building personal relationships and empathy with the lack of reality within virtual spaces and be able to examine how formal and informal communication will differ on a virtual team. You will be able to discuss how the concept of linear versus flexible time can impact culture and distinguish between collective versus individual cultures in virtual spaces.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment5 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 29 minutes
Lesson 3.1 Module Introduction•2 minutes
Collectivism vs. Individualism•6 minutes
Issues With Time•4 minutes
Examples From Our Panelists•8 minutes
The Empathy Map•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 20 minutes
Resolving Conflict Activity•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes
5 discussion prompts•Total 50 minutes
Brainstorming•10 minutes
Collectivist Culture•10 minutes
Linear to Flexible Time Cultures•10 minutes
Brainstorm•10 minutes
Reflection•10 minutes
New Opportunities for Cross-Cultural Teams
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this final module, you will be able to identify the opportunities to improve a multinational, cross-cultural team using virtual spaces. You will be able to recognize and name opportunities to use your own personal culture in a virtual space to cultivate team collaboration. You will also be able to design small acts of leadership, using virtual tools, to inspire cultural connectivity from your team members.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment7 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 27 minutes
Module Introduction•3 minutes
Virtual Spaces and Individuals•7 minutes
Virtual Spaces and Teams•6 minutes
Leading Virtual Teams•9 minutes
Course Summary•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
7 discussion prompts•Total 95 minutes
Reflection Exercise•5 minutes
How to Manage Up in a Virtual World•15 minutes
Virtual Celebration Ideas•20 minutes
Virtual Social Activities•10 minutes
Create a Plan•20 minutes
Tips to Lead a Team Virtually•15 minutes
Course Reflection•10 minutes
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Reviewed on Aug 5, 2025
In Module 1, there were a lot of missing documents and links that had long expired. Some of the test questions are incorrect. But overall, very valuable information and knowledge.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
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Is financial aid available?
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