Companies that invest in teambuilding are more likely to achieve organizational objectives than those which don’t. The multi-department, multi-disciplinary nature of a company requires unity of purpose and that goes to the heart of teamwork.
Luckily, there are effective ways to manage teams, by enhancing the power of digital technology for real-time updates, applications, assessments, and communication.
Build a Billion-Dollar Company by Building a Strong Team: Key Steps
There are 5 key steps involved in building successful teams, including the following:
1. Share Organizational Goals with Team Members
The only way to ensure that every team member is on board with the organization’s strategy is by communicating the company’s strategic objectives. Companies that communicate well are associated with a much higher degree of goal attainment than companies which don’t. Plus, employees are more likely to be motivated by shared goals and objectives.
If nobody knows where the company is headed, any path might take it there. The only way to reach a certain destination is by having all team members on board with the tactical and strategic goals. Synergy – working together – is the most effective way to achieve company goals.
2. Set a Plan a Week at a Time
It’s difficult for an employee to envisage a timeline that extends years into the future. However, it is far more conceivable that an employee will be able to understand short-term objectives, known as tactical objectives. These should ideally cover a week at a time, with measurable performance objectives for employees.
If a team member can achieve a set of goals within a week, this will motivate the employee to continue working hard towards the achievement of strategic objectives over time. A distinction must be made between goals that the company wants to achieve in the next week versus goals that the company is going to achieve in the next week. The achievement of short-term goals serves as an incentive for long-term success.
3. Allocate Duties and Responsibilities to Team Members
The only way to ensure that tasks are completed is by having competent and willing team members to get them done. This is no mean feat, since it requires the right motivation, commitment, and resources to get things done. The best tool to manage your team is one which is easily shared and understood by team members.
Effective communication is necessary to ensure that everyone understands the gravity of the tasks assigned to them. When achievable goals are set a week at a time, it is much easier to stay motivated.
4. Team Members Need Direction
The traditional management paradigm is delineated with the acronym POLC (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling). While management styles have changed over the years, this practice has not. In other words, whenever tasks are allocated, employees need to understand what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and how performance will be evaluated.
Instead of saying we need to increase productivity by the end of the week, a clearly demarcated figure could be assigned such as 10%. Further subcategories could be included to help achieve that goal such as:
- Decrease breakages
- Increase productivity
- Assign tasks and measure performance
5. Praise Team Members for Tasks Completed
Constructive criticism is one thing, but a scathing rebuke is another. When tasks are assigned to employees, they must be praised for completing them. A task is not an achievement – it is simply a work activity that is done. For example, stacking all planks against the wall is a task. Often, achievements are beyond our control since departments within a company must cooperate to achieve organizational objectives.
In other words, production must dovetail with purchasing and inventory, delivery, and payments for the organization to achieve its objectives. When employees complete tasks, they should be commended on their efforts. This is an excellent way to keep everyone motivated.
The Final Word
In summary, it is important to communicate the broader objectives of an organization to each and every team member. Once people are on board with the grand plan, they can work towards achieving it. Everyone has a role to play in a company, and these tasks must be communicated in an unambiguous way.
Instead of focusing on strategic objectives, it is best to focus on tactical objectives a week at a time. Employees should be praised for tasks that they have completed. Top level management should set achievable goals and this requires strong and effective leadership.