Authors

Claire Sookman and Susan Garms

Author's Web site:
www.virtualteambuilders.com

Link to Author's Products:
www.mmpubs.com/catalog/sookman-claire-and-garms-susan-m-95.html

About the Authors

Claire Sookman

Distinguished as Canada’s pioneer in virtual team building, she specializes in helping teams that are geographically dispersed reduce their costs and reach their maximum potential, through training, coaching consulting and designing.

As the driving force behind the training/consulting firm of Virtual Team Builders, Claire Sookman brings to the table over a decade’s worth of corporate training experience, working with well over 4,500 Managers in the past three years alone Specializing in virtual team building and communication strategies, Claire's company provides training that enables global teams to work more efficiently and effectively.

Claire's personalized, focused seminars have garnered numerous accolades, putting her services in high demand Worldwide. Some of her clients include: AT&T, Weyerhaeuser, CIBC, TD/Canada Trust, Siemens, Bell Canada, Ministry of Correctional Services, USDA Forest Services, Sick Kids, Orange FT and the Insurance Board of Ontario.

In addition to acting as a consultant and trainer, Claire has participated in a range of public speaking conferences including: Project World, Seminars World, CEPEX, Federated Press, Institute For International Research, Human Resource Professional Association and McMaster’s World Congress. In addition, Claire’s articles have been published in CIO magazine, Computer World, Network World and in the Training Report. Claire is also a published author on Virtual Teams.

Distinguished as Canada’s pioneer in virtual team building, Claire’s Virtual Team Certificate Program helps reduce costs and teaches global teams to work more effectively together.

Her polished communication and training skills were honed though both practical and educational channels including a Master Trainer Certification through Langevin learning Services. Claire’s technical expertise in training is complimented by the Canadian Association for Professional Speakers and a long-standing association with Toastmasters International.

Susan Garms

Susan is a Senior Manager in Telework and Change Management Solutions with a large telecommunications company. Susan brings extensive telecommunications expertise to her clients, assisting them in achieving balance on the people side of technical projects. She has facilitated highly rated workshops for both remote workers and their managers. Susan has experience and expertise as a remote work specialist and has worked from her home in Richmond Hill since 2000.

Susan offers support through a comprehensive, proven approach – from evaluation to implementation to ongoing management, helping organizations achieve their objectives. At her telco employer, Susan works with a team of technical experts to make sure clients have a clear vision for any telework project, with its relevance and benefits articulated in detail. In terms of planning, they address all the human and organizational impacts involved. They also partner with leading solution specialists on the design and implementation of the technological infrastructure required for telework or a more comprehensive virtual office solution for a mobile workforce.

The specific consulting services Susan and her team provide include:

Organizational and technological assessments
Program design
Awareness sessions
Training workshops
Development of corporate policies
Development of tools for selecting remote workers
Evaluation of existing telework programs and policies
Support to your program coordinator

Susan has taken part in various conferences and seminars aimed at creating awareness of the issues and benefits of telework and its impact on individuals and organizations, including 2008’s Saskatchewan Economic Development Association Conference, 2007’s International Telework Symposium in Tokyo, various seminars for the Federated Press and Smart Commute in Ontario. She is a board member of the Canadian Telework Association and has her Change Management Certification from Prosci and the Change Management Learning Centre. Susan has worked in collaboration with VTB on various initiatives including this book.