Technology and Its Use for Enhancing Teamwork and

Cohesiveness

Paul OesterOSU Extension Service

Regional Administrator InterviewsNovember 16 and 18

My Use of Technology in Program Delivery

Delivery Technology Tools• PowerPoint• Webinar• Adobe Presenter• Polycom• Electronic distribution of newsletters

Using Technology to Enhance Teamwork and Cohesiveness—what’s available

• Outlook—email, shared email (group mailbox), calendar scheduling and sharing

• Conference calls• Video conferencing and shared documents—Adobe

Connect-Pro, AT+T Connect, iLinc, Cloud meeting, OUS MeetMe (inoc.ous.edu/meetme)

• Skype, ooVoo, voice over IP• Polycom –in each office but not at our desk• Cell phones, iphones, smartphones, etc

Using Technology to Enhance Teamwork and Cohesiveness—how to use it

• Video chats/conferencing • Audio or video chatting while working on a shared

document • Instant messaging• Social networking—modern day post-it board for

professionals• Shared schedules-everyone can keep current • Information management = collaboration

Using Technology to Enhance Teamwork and Cohesiveness—pro’s and con’s

• Need to know what you want to accomplish• Tech threat---face to face to establish relationship &

technology to strengthen and maintain• Not everyone comfortable, if clunky then at disadvantage• However a plus if people already using it• No replacement for face to face in extension--issue

becomes how to communicate efficiently while coping with declining resources…increase awareness/training to improve adoption

• Polycom/video conferencing for staff, one-on-one or budget meetings, updates- regional or county based efforts where it makes sense

• Using video conferencing with shared document for reviewing and revising dossier

• Email for updates & cell phones/iphones/smartphones for personal contacts and accessing email efficiently

• Idea--develop alink on Extension’s web site specific to region

Scott D. & Bolen, K. 2008. Innosight Inc.

Using Technology to Enhance Teamwork and Cohesiveness—examples…

When Technology is not Appropriate for Administrative Functions

• Some aspects of personnel management, such as personnel conflicts or retreat setting to build personal relationships

• Faculty evaluations might or might not be a good fit• Anytime a personal presence will benefit the

conversation and potentially create a more positive outcome than technology options

• More complicated meetings or conferences

Transformation• The beginning of a new era

• Made a decision to change and start something different

• Internal process, if not part of the solution, you are part of the problem

• Despite challenges, including some internal and external resistance, need to move forward and become better than we were

My Role as an Administrator in the Transformation

Key administrative roles defined by OSU Extension…• Organizational leadership• Connective leadership• Stakeholder relationships• Personnel management• Financial management• Organization development and support

Godwin, et al. 2011

My Role in the Transformation

• Earn your trust and respect

• Represent, lead and be an advocate for staff, the region and the counties

• Listen and learn, form opinions slowly, quality trumps speed

My Role in the Transformation• Work together to form a plan for a winning future.

Start small and find what works and what needs to be changed-don’t expect immediate success

• Work to overcome mindsets that are resistant to transformation

• Stay true to what we do well, delivering science based educational programs and solving local problems

My Role as an Advocate and Resource for Employees

• Know and communicate county priorities and staff needs/wants

• Help to grow new funding strategies and sources

• Find ways to improve administrative efficiency

• Help staff be successful--be a mentor, reduce barriers, obtain resources, support staff development

My Role as an Advocate and Resource for Employees

• Coach through conflicts, strive to make each office an enjoyable place to work

• Learn how to become a better resource for local needs

• Be transparent in decisions, share decision making, empower others, create shared goals

Example of Pulling Together Constituents/Coworkers

• Establishing the Union County 4-H and Extension District

• Local county budgets were declining and a decision was made to try to stabilize extension funding

• Worked with campus, local extension advisory council, county commissioners, volunteers and staff

• I lead the effort, including developing budget, petition signing efforts, communicating to multiple stakeholders, legal hurdles and the public voting campaign.

Vision for Building and Fostering Teamwork• Be open and inclusive: atmosphere of involvement that

features faculty, staff and administration

• Look for ways to foster and build local connections and partnerships

• Build bridges. Find reasons/incentives for people to work together

Vision for Building and Fostering Teamwork• Capture opportunities for inter and intra disciplinary

programming and provide incentives for team efforts

• Everyone has a voice and should have a chance to be heard, encourage discussion

• Find and capitalize on obtaining resources such as technology upgrades and training

How my background and experience has prepared me to be effective in an environment that values diversity…

• I live and work in northeast Oregon where cultural diversity is low, however….

• Worked with and led a diversity of teams• Work with clientele, audiences and organizations that are

diverse• Travelled and experienced foreign cultures• Studied Spanish in college and locally• Created a tree planting video that has a Spanish language version

• Result…fact is we live in a diverse world, embracing differences and learning from others is key to building a better place