ABSTRACT
Once the virtual team members have been identified, and their agreement established, it is important to begin the communications between them as soon as possible. To accelerate the 'getting to know you' process the team leader or facilitator should solicit some informal information about each of the team members. The nature of the initial exchange of personal information depends on the nature and preferences of the team and its members. Pair the team members off at random, preferably choosing pairs who work in similar time zones if possible. At best, the team will become a network of relationships that will hold them together as a whole when tougher times are faced later. If the personal profile is used as a first means of contact between team members, it is worthwhile for the team leader to emphasize the fact that it is easy to misinterpret the content of written documents.
