33% of execs think virtual teams are badly managed
In "Managing virtual teams: taking a more strategic approach", the EIU explores methods of managing teams of geographically dispersed people who are working towards common goals. Sponsored by NEC, the briefing paper is based on a survey of 407 European executives. The study was conducted from October to November 2009.

Highlights
•     Over 75% of respondents currently are or have participated in virtual teams.
•     Despite misunderstandings resulting from cultural differences and the difficulty of leading from a distance, 65% believe the advantages of virtual teams outweigh the disadvantages.
•     In half the organisations, virtual teams simply evolved rather than were planned.
•     Virtual teams don’t hinder work-life balance, with 45% disagreeing that virtual working blurs the lines between work and life.
•     More than half (58%) say that virtual team members are recruited by local managers, severely curtailing the size of the global talent pool on which they can draw.


Asia’s SMEs well placed for the regional recovery
"Towards the recovery: Challenges and opportunities facing Asia’s SMEs" is a report by the EIU based on interviews with corporate officers at SMEs and regional experts. Sponsored by FedEx, it also reviews recent studies by the IMF, Asian Development Bank and national governments.

Highlights
•     Severe competition and a cost-control culture has helped Asian SMEs develop resilience and they are well positioned to take advantage of the region’s rapid economic growth.
•     Many SMEs are still in crisis mode and are focusing on cash-flow protection. Cost control is crucial as is inventory management. Quality control is gaining increased scrutiny.
•     Asian SMEs are starting to sell to Asia, in particular China, as a new major market with some larger export-oriented SMEs considering strategies that focus on domestic markets.
•     Intra-regional trade could be driven by the proliferation of free-trade agreements like the recent China-Asean FTA. But better official guidance and information are necessary if SMEs are to take advantage of it.



This article appeared in Manager@work, the monthly management pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 790, Jan 25-31, 2010