Fresh Tracks Team Talk - May 2008

Do teams work? It's generally accepted that team based working is preferable to individuals serving a single line manager, but what evidence supports this?

Team based working gained popularity during the late 80s and 90s following initiatives such as kaizen and Total Quality Management. All too often we simply accept that the team way is the right way, but perhaps we should spend a moment testing this assumption.

Firstly, it's worth considering different kinds of teams that can exist within an organisation;

Conventional - A group working to fulfill an ongoing function under the guidance of a nominated leader, more often called a department.
Self Directed - Normally found in manufacturing environments where the task is prescribed to such an extent that a leader isn't required to direct the group's activities.
Project - A team created from a panel of experts for a limited period of time to fulfill a defined task such as constructing a new factory.

In 1996 Peter Scholtes argued that teams outperform individuals when:

• The task is complex
• Creativity is needed
• The path forward is unclear
• More efficient use of resources is required
• Fast learning is necessary
• High commitment is desirable
• The implementation of a plan requires the co-operation of others
• The task or process is cross-functional

More recently, team based working is seen as a significant contributor to employee satisfaction; but be warned-while good teams increase commitment and engagement bad teams and particularly bad team leaders, are the single biggest influence on staff turnover - in short, people don't leave the company, they leave their colleagues.

So how can you be sure your teams are effective?

Take some time looking at the teams' purpose. Is there a clearly understood reason for being? Are the team members competent and compatible? Does each team understand its areas of strength and weakness? For instance, a group of creative's in an advertising agency may well be great at coming up with ground breaking ideas but may need to address why they don't keep accurate records or spend time seeking new accounts.

In our opinion, as little as a day spent away from the office considering some of these questions and getting to know one another through team games and exercises can transform a team in name to a team in spirit.

Click here to view our team building programmes (SDI, Colorvote, and Team Tasks) or contact Tom Vaughton on 01920 822 220 to discuss how our team building programmes could benefit your business.

Book Review The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
By Patrick M Lencioni

This book is an insightful and thought-provoking two-hour read. It provides some painfully recognisable truths about group behavior. Essentially this is the story of a troubled Silicon Valley Firm and its unexpected choice for a new CEO; an old school manager who had retired from a traditional manufacturing company two years earlier at age 55. The first part of the book is a great illustration of how successful teamwork can elude even the most dedicated individuals, and how it can be restored by an insightful leader. The second part brings details on Lencioni's "five dysfunctions" (absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results). This book provides useful insight into understanding and overcoming what can be common shortcomings in managing teams.

This book is available through Amazon.co.uk currently at a 30% on the RRP, click here to buy.

Some handy tips you probably never knew about your mobile phone
In times of emergency your mobile phone could actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Here are a couple of handy tips for you to remember.

Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you. Interestingly the number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone
To check your mobile phone's serial number key in the following digits *#06#. A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone is ever stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the sim card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use or sell it either. If everybody did this there would be no point in stealing mobile phones.

For further tips see next month's newsletter!

Some recent Fresh Tracks eventsStaff Conference & Colorvote - For Cambridge Water
Italian Job II - Fast and furious fun for O2
Chocolate Challenge - A sweet team challenge for Coca Cola Enterprises
Cooking up a Storm - Tasty team building for Royal Mail
Go FAR - Focusing on Fun, Attitudes & Relationships with London & Quadrant

If you are planning a staff conference or team building event, or simply need some ideas on how to motivate your group, please feel free to contact Tom Vaughton on 01920 822 220 or visit www.freshtracks.co.uk.

Fresh Tracks "Creating better workplaces"
Team Building, Motivational Activities, Event Management Solutions
Web: www.freshtracks.co.uk
Tel: 01920 822 220
Email: mail@freshtracks.co.uk

‘teams that play together, work together’