There is an old Nigerian proverb, ostensibly from the Igbo people, that says, “It takes a village to raise a child”. That adage isn’t only applicable to raising good people, it is also critical to raising a good, successful business. You may have the best idea for a product or service. You may have invented the most clever and trans-formative gizmo that has ever existed. However, unless you have good, intelligent, committed people with you? You will find the travel arduous and even less joyful.
In today’s business world, folks are awakening to the fact that there is really no such creature as a “self-made” human being. We are each shaped by the people, events, and surroundings we experience. The best manufacturing idea is worthless without people to design efficient equipment; without people to run that machinery, maintain it, and produce the products. Someone must pack, stock, market, ship, and follow-up. Businesses need people to “keep the books”, to watch trends, to continue innovating the existing products, and develop new ones. There need to be facilities management people and efficiency experts. Buildings will need to be built, or modified, for the manufacturing to happen. In today’s world, people who try to do those tasks alone will find themselves swimming in a rough sea with no one to anchor or rescue them.
A good approach in business is that of the “team”. Teamwork can make all the difference on the road to success. The first team, the core team, will need to be those you trust who can bring needed abilities to the ideas you have. Think carefully about the differing aspects of the work you want to do. Ultimately, the individuals on your core team will develop teams of their own. Choose wisely. Sketch out for yourself the path to success you see that you need. Accounting. Legal work. Research. Development. Manufacture. Marketing. After-market. These are some of the team configurations you may want to consider. As you build this core team, use a LASER approach.
L: LEAD without micromanagement
There is no room for dictatorship when it comes to success. Leading a team is a skill that you need in order to learn and grow as an individual. It’s about attitude, not altitude. Recognizing and encouraging the abilities and knowledge of other team members is critically important for success. Settle conflicts in the team, within the team. Let the ideas flow in the group. Allow for full expression of an idea, so that perhaps it might spark an adjustment or a possibility from some other member. “That won’t work”, is a deadly statement in business.
Pressure gets to everyone. Things happen. Your attitude and your actions can set the success meter or break it. Acknowledge when something doesn’t happen as planned. Build a team mindset that is determined to move forward. Instead of “who’s fault”, learn to orient the team for where you are now in the process and how to say, “What’s next?” It is less important to place blame than it is to seek solutions. When you feel the pressure mounting, take a break. Refocus through momentary distraction. Yes. Take a walk. Go for a coffee. Get some lunch. Talk about families or stories, or favorite jokes. Steer clear of topics that might incite conflict. Research has shown that these distracted actions allow the brain to continue processing the challenges, subconsciously, while you relax. Plan times for team gatherings. Go out to dinner together. Get to know one another in a setting other than the “office” itself. What motivates the members? What are their passions, their hobbies, the activities that energize them? What books are members reading? Encourage book reading or even listening to books being read by others. How are team members expanding their knowledge and enriching their curiosity in life?
A: ASSESS the process
Timelines are helpful yet can also be constrictive. Periodically revisit those timelines with the team. Is it still viable? Did you meet a goal and not even realize it? Did you set a goal that isn’t needed for the path you are following now? Seeking the answer to who needs to increase their involvement in the process is also a critical piece of your assessments. Brainstorm together. Who’s not being heard as you meet and work? Is there some small but critical change that would improve dynamics and productivity? Wise leaders know that there needs to be an element of fluidity in any team. Ego centered behaviors are not at all conducive to effective teamwork. “No ‘I’ in Teamwork” is an old adage, yet still very applicable today. Don’t let performance panic sideline your work. If one team member needs assistance, gather the team around that individual and dig in together. Let team members know that they are valued, and you have confidence in them. Not every idea will be an off-the-charts game changer. In fact, ultimately some ideas will not work in your plan. Keep that as a part of the team learning, not as an individual shortcoming.
S: SEEK those with the talent and expertise you need
Some team positions might include an individual in each of these areas:
Legal. Do you know the difference in ‘patent”, “copyright”, “trademark”, and “trade secret”? Are you well versed in the “whys” of each one? Get a good business lawyer.
Financial. Businesses rise or fail in no small part because proper attention wasn’t given to funding opportunities as well as sound accounting practices. It’s going to take money and people to achieve your goals. Be wise.
Research and Development. The best ideas and the best innovations still need people who are able to break them down and find the best ways to build them up again. Remember too that any product will need to undergo continual evaluation, and that innovation is an ongoing process crucial for sustaining long-term efficacy.
Marketing. How will you identify your potential consumers? What kinds of “packaging” will draw the best attention? Where will you want to focus your advertising dollars?
People and Facilities. You are going to need good people and efficient facilities where those people can work. Finding the right people for the task of growing your business is time-consuming and critical. Finding and maintaining the right facilities for those people to work is intensive and crucial. Don’t skimp on this team position.
E: EDUCATE
Educate your potential consumers as to why they will need what you have to offer. Of course, this is an important task. Just as important, perhaps even more, is educating the folks who work in your business. Are they up to date on the latest in best business practices? Do they understand the parameters for safety in the workplace? Are they in step with whatever new technology comes along as your business grows? Do they understand the value of continuing their education? Investing in the ongoing education of your workers is a serious part of fostering more teams and teamwork. No one ever died from learning something new. Stretching the mind through education will have positive benefits for your business. Engaged learners are engaged workers; and those engaged workers will be more productive and committed to your business and to you.
R: REMEMBER
Remember who you are, where you started, and all of the people who worked with you to get you where you find yourself now. Celebrate milestones with them. Think outside the box for activities and events that will foster a team atmosphere throughout your company. Company sports teams? Catered lunches from time to time? Opportunities to delve into experiences like music making, art, theatre, conversations? Encourage your core team members to establish teams themselves so that others feel a critical part of what you are focused on achieving. Say thank you. Acknowledge special events in the lives of those who are helping your business to prosper. Babies will be born; children will be adopted. Marriages will happen, divorces will occur. Personal tragedies are inevitable, and death will come to every individual or family. No matter how large your business may ultimately become, really see the people who are laboring to make the dream a reality. No one has a non-essential task in your business. Remember that fact and treat others through that lens.
LASER your teamwork. Cut through the barriers and shine intense light on the goals you seek. Along the way, be sure that you leave no one behind. Enthusiastic, committed teams are the very best press and publicity you will ever need. – Ryan Smith