Many books, articles, studies and experts will tell you that good teams and teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage any company has. Yet it is still one of the hardest things for company management to acheive. Particularly because it is not a management achievement - it is the achievement of the individuals themselves. Management can only provide an environment where good team work and great teams are able to emerge and blossom.
In an article published for CNNMoney.com a couple of years ago, Jerry Useem has a particularly humorous take on what consistutes a great team, and I agree with his bottom line: the best teams have established norms (roles & goals) and all members of the group or team hold each other accountable.
The Microsoft Office team offers a few tools to help create an environment conducive to building great teams.
Keith MacFarland offers these four tips to add to your arsenal:
"Great teams -- whether composed of athletes, businesspeople, fire fighters, military commandos, or what have you -- have four essential characteristics:
1. A shared passion to achieve a specific goal. Far too often, a company thinks it has a teambuilding problem when what it really has is a goal problem. If you want to build a great team, make sure its members share a determined passion to accomplish something. How do you get that kind of commitment? By involving everyone in the development of the goal. Without it, all the Outward Bound trips and Kumbaya singing sessions in the world aren't going to make a bit of difference to team performance.
2. A shared strategy to achieving the goal. It's not enough to get a bunch of people together who care deeply about reaching a goal. They need to have a strategy that everyone buys into for attaining it. If your team isn't functioning as well as you would like, you may actually have a strategy problem. I find that when a company clarifies its goals and involves a broad cross-section of members in crafting a strategy, often its team begins to function better together. What I have learned is that if you want to increase teamwork, don't focus on the team, focus the team on the task.
3. An unwavering belief in the intentions and abilities of fellow teammates. Yes, trust and respect are key. But, ironically, often the best way to increase levels of trust and respect on a team is to get them focused on the goal and the strategy. That's because, if done correctly, the process of developing a strategy gets people saying what they really think. When people say what they really think and are held accountable, trust and respect usually follow. Don't impose an atmosphere of false politeness.
4. A great coach. There's no getting around it, great teams usually have great coaches -- though some of the best coaches I have met in the business world operate without hierarchical authority. The advice I would give to anyone seeking to build a great team: Learn how to be a great coach. "
And here are some interesting facts from the Animal Kingdom on great teamwork:
Lessons in Teamwork from Wild Geese
As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the entire flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
People who share a common direction and sense of synergy can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are travelling on the trust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
If we had as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We would be willing to accept their help and to give help to others.
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. Great teamwork involves sharing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills and capabilities, and unique talents or resources.
The geese, flying in formation, honk to encourage those in front to keep up their speed.
In groups where there is encouragement, productivity and effectiveness is greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's core values and encourage the spirit of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again. Then they launch out together with another formation or catch up with the flock. Great teams have people that stand by each other in difficult times.
At RealTime, we have a great team, and we are constantly working to improve the environment that allows our team members room to grow and feel the power of really great teamwork. We hire people who exhibit the passion for their work and the willingness to align with others to reach all goals. On any given day, our clients get the very best of each person, working in tandem, with respect and genuine caring for their fellow team members and their client and that's what makes this a truly great company!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
How I went Paperless (sort of)
After planning events for years and creating a monster binder for each with thousands of pieces of paper I decided it was time for me to stop killing trees. Much of the papers in the binders were printed emails that I wrote notes on. My handwriting was so terrible that when I went back to read the notes, I couldn’t. The emails were also filed in Outlook folders so printing them was really just to have a place to write notes as well as to increase my comfort level that the information was handy. Many of the printouts were budgets or logistics documents, items that change constantly. Printing these was, again, just to satisfy my comfort level.
So, I had at least two problems to solve – 1) increase my comfort level with not having printed pages and 2) identify an electronic place to keep notes and other random information.
A lot of this has to do with being organized. I’ve had people tell me that I’m organized, but I just never feel that way. I’ve taken several seminars and classes on how to be organized – McGhee Productivity, Franklin Covey and the like. I pull bits from each and have used them in my daily life. I find it very difficult to follow any one system completely as they don’t fit my personal style.
With the advent of Microsoft Office 2007, I discovered OneNote.
I didn’t know what it was until I started exploring…where was this magical program earlier? It definitely hadn’t been previously included with my version of Office. It’s a program somewhat like Microsoft Word but much more flexible with the filing system. I took the tutorial and created binders for each project easily in OneNote. Need a new tab? Push a button. Need a new page under that tab? Push another button. Taking and filing notes became effortless. Need to mark something in the notes as a to-do? Add a little box. When you are done with it check it off – yes there is an actual check mark!
But, how was I to deal with my issue of notes on specific emails……well OneNote is amazing. Open the email, push another button “Send to OneNote” and a new unfiled page with the email content will be created for you. File it easily where you wish by dragging and dropping.
Other fun things I’ve found in OneNote to keep organized and paperless: create links in your OneNote pages to documents and/or files on your server or web pages, embed documents for later reference right in your notes.
I’ve also discovered that I look at my notes more often now. They are in date order. They are legible. I add a star or to-do box to anything that is an action item for me as I’m taking the notes. I’m not sure how I ever went back through my illegible handwritten notes and discovered any meaningful action items in the past.
I had finally found place to keep my notes and easily organize them – my comfort level definitely increased and trees all around the world breathed a sigh of relief!
Another thing that I needed to rid my desk of was Post-It Notes.
I had them sticking all over my computer screen and desk with notes about random items that didn’t really warrant a whole OneNote section or even page – my conference call in numbers, to-do lists for chores at home, event shopping list, grocery shopping list, etc. I started transferring these bits of info to the Notes in Microsoft Outlook and happily discovered they synched to my Blackberry. Having shopping lists on Blackberry rather than Post-It is so much greener and easily accessible when on the go.
Here’s where I have failed to be paperless so far….
I still keep a paper calendar, a book that I write down my schedule for the day along with voice mail messages. Outlook and OneNote hold all the complete info but sometimes, yes, sometimes I like to be without computer. I like to pretend that technology does not run my life. Not for any heavy content meetings – then always computer. But for more light content meetings I do take a few illegible notes now and then. I am pretty good about transferring these tidbits into OneNote and Outlook as needed. Until laptops are smaller and lighter I expect I’ll still do this. And….there’s something about pencils and erasers that I just can’t kick. Call me old-fashioned.
Documents that are received from others. Yes, sometimes people still do hand out, fax and/or US Mail paper. I still file this. The next step, though, would be to scan it and file it electronically. I haven’t taken this step. I should though; maybe I’ll try that next. To do this you’ll need a fast scanner.
Business Cards. I use Microsoft Outlook for all my contacts. I have about 400. But, one thing I don’t do is add in business cards of random people that I meet at networking events, etc. I don’t really want to junk up my Outlook with information that I don’t use regularly. I need to investigate an electronic filing system for this info rather than the pile of business cards on my desk!
Tips:
· A telephone headset is a must for conference calls. You have to be able to type in OneNote as you talk.
· With this increased use of electronic storage, it’s important that you have a portable storage device. A laptop is a must if you leave the office for meetings.
· Back up your OneNote and Outlook regularly to disk or server. It would be terrible to lose all your notes if your laptop hard drive suddenly dies. (This has happened to me!)
· When you receive a sales brochure in the mail from a vendor that you may use in the future, bookmark the web site in your browser favorites and recycle the paper.
Other resources on going paperless:
Paperless Home article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/business/10metrics.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Another paperless blog: http://sunriseremudaservices.com/Blog/?p=37
~ Erika Snyder, Event Manager
So, I had at least two problems to solve – 1) increase my comfort level with not having printed pages and 2) identify an electronic place to keep notes and other random information.
A lot of this has to do with being organized. I’ve had people tell me that I’m organized, but I just never feel that way. I’ve taken several seminars and classes on how to be organized – McGhee Productivity, Franklin Covey and the like. I pull bits from each and have used them in my daily life. I find it very difficult to follow any one system completely as they don’t fit my personal style.
With the advent of Microsoft Office 2007, I discovered OneNote.
I didn’t know what it was until I started exploring…where was this magical program earlier? It definitely hadn’t been previously included with my version of Office. It’s a program somewhat like Microsoft Word but much more flexible with the filing system. I took the tutorial and created binders for each project easily in OneNote. Need a new tab? Push a button. Need a new page under that tab? Push another button. Taking and filing notes became effortless. Need to mark something in the notes as a to-do? Add a little box. When you are done with it check it off – yes there is an actual check mark!
But, how was I to deal with my issue of notes on specific emails……well OneNote is amazing. Open the email, push another button “Send to OneNote” and a new unfiled page with the email content will be created for you. File it easily where you wish by dragging and dropping.
Other fun things I’ve found in OneNote to keep organized and paperless: create links in your OneNote pages to documents and/or files on your server or web pages, embed documents for later reference right in your notes.
I’ve also discovered that I look at my notes more often now. They are in date order. They are legible. I add a star or to-do box to anything that is an action item for me as I’m taking the notes. I’m not sure how I ever went back through my illegible handwritten notes and discovered any meaningful action items in the past.
I had finally found place to keep my notes and easily organize them – my comfort level definitely increased and trees all around the world breathed a sigh of relief!
Another thing that I needed to rid my desk of was Post-It Notes.
I had them sticking all over my computer screen and desk with notes about random items that didn’t really warrant a whole OneNote section or even page – my conference call in numbers, to-do lists for chores at home, event shopping list, grocery shopping list, etc. I started transferring these bits of info to the Notes in Microsoft Outlook and happily discovered they synched to my Blackberry. Having shopping lists on Blackberry rather than Post-It is so much greener and easily accessible when on the go.
Here’s where I have failed to be paperless so far….
I still keep a paper calendar, a book that I write down my schedule for the day along with voice mail messages. Outlook and OneNote hold all the complete info but sometimes, yes, sometimes I like to be without computer. I like to pretend that technology does not run my life. Not for any heavy content meetings – then always computer. But for more light content meetings I do take a few illegible notes now and then. I am pretty good about transferring these tidbits into OneNote and Outlook as needed. Until laptops are smaller and lighter I expect I’ll still do this. And….there’s something about pencils and erasers that I just can’t kick. Call me old-fashioned.
Documents that are received from others. Yes, sometimes people still do hand out, fax and/or US Mail paper. I still file this. The next step, though, would be to scan it and file it electronically. I haven’t taken this step. I should though; maybe I’ll try that next. To do this you’ll need a fast scanner.
Business Cards. I use Microsoft Outlook for all my contacts. I have about 400. But, one thing I don’t do is add in business cards of random people that I meet at networking events, etc. I don’t really want to junk up my Outlook with information that I don’t use regularly. I need to investigate an electronic filing system for this info rather than the pile of business cards on my desk!
Tips:
· A telephone headset is a must for conference calls. You have to be able to type in OneNote as you talk.
· With this increased use of electronic storage, it’s important that you have a portable storage device. A laptop is a must if you leave the office for meetings.
· Back up your OneNote and Outlook regularly to disk or server. It would be terrible to lose all your notes if your laptop hard drive suddenly dies. (This has happened to me!)
· When you receive a sales brochure in the mail from a vendor that you may use in the future, bookmark the web site in your browser favorites and recycle the paper.
Other resources on going paperless:
Paperless Home article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/business/10metrics.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Another paperless blog: http://sunriseremudaservices.com/Blog/?p=37
~ Erika Snyder, Event Manager
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Good times at Camp GoodTimes!
I just enjoyed a week of vacation on Vashon Island recently. Why Vashon, you ask? For the past 5 years, I've spent a week of my summer at camp! Not just any camp, but Camp GoodTimes where I join a stellar group of volunteers who staff this week-long camp for children with Cancer and their siblings. Put on by the American Cancer Society, camp is fully funded by donations and free to campers age 7 - 17. This camp definitely lives up to its name, giving kids a week of crazy, goofy, all-out fun to help them forget for a week the normal day-to-day hardships of their (or their sibling's) sickness. For one week, I have an alter-ego… the kids know me as "Pigtails."
What can be expected at Camp GoodTimes:
A packed week of fun activities
Arts and Crafts
Whip cream fight followed by a "rinse" from the local Fire Department
Carnival including games, prizes, music, and hair paint/design by Gene Juarez
Argosy cruise (including a stop in Seattle so Red Robin patrons can throw french fries to the kids)
Camp fires, smores, songs
Skits - from cute and funny, to just plain nonsensical
Theater Sports performance
Music and dancing
Singing before every meal
All camp water balloon fight
Friday dance
Goofy spontaneity
Pajama breakfast
Cheering another cabin during meal time, making each other dance or "shake their booty"
Italian themed dinner, including accordian players and opera singers!
Cabin "raids" (nice ones)
The "Beatle Bandits" waking you up at the crack of dawn
Polar bear swim in the frigid Puget Sound
Staff volunteers with names like Piglet, Spoon, Bow-Wow, Cheeseburger & Mooselips
Tasty camp food (mmmm chicken nuggets and mac'n'cheese)
Swimming at the local pool
The Tootie-Tah dance
Fishing (picture a 7 year-old catching a shark)
Lasting friendships
LIT (Leaders In Training) program for older teens
Did I mention singing and dancing?
A full nursing staff and onsite doctors to give meds, shots, tend to sick campers, and offer 24 hour medical assistance
And the list goes on and on….
Not only is camp a place for fun, but it really does offer these kids something they cannot get at home. It gives a sense of independence to those that are constantly guarded in real life. It gives the bald, scarred, blind, and sickly kids a sense of belonging, away from the usual stares from those who don't understand. It gives kids a place to feel "normal" and accepted. It gives siblings a chance to let loose, get the attention they might be missing at home, and hang out with other siblings who know what they're going through. It gives parents a nice break and a peace of mind, knowing their children are in good hands. And it gives staff like me a renewed perspective on life. All of us at Camp GoodTimes truly are a family!
We are always looking for energetic volunteers. If you're interested in spending a week of your summer at the happiest place on earth (forget Disneyland!), or to learn more, please contact me at annied@rtpevents.com.
Camp GoodTimes is celebrating their 25th anniversary!
http://www.campgoodtimeswest.org/index.php
~Annie
What can be expected at Camp GoodTimes:
A packed week of fun activities
Arts and Crafts
Whip cream fight followed by a "rinse" from the local Fire Department
Carnival including games, prizes, music, and hair paint/design by Gene Juarez
Argosy cruise (including a stop in Seattle so Red Robin patrons can throw french fries to the kids)
Camp fires, smores, songs
Skits - from cute and funny, to just plain nonsensical
Theater Sports performance
Music and dancing
Singing before every meal
All camp water balloon fight
Friday dance
Goofy spontaneity
Pajama breakfast
Cheering another cabin during meal time, making each other dance or "shake their booty"
Italian themed dinner, including accordian players and opera singers!
Cabin "raids" (nice ones)
The "Beatle Bandits" waking you up at the crack of dawn
Polar bear swim in the frigid Puget Sound
Staff volunteers with names like Piglet, Spoon, Bow-Wow, Cheeseburger & Mooselips
Tasty camp food (mmmm chicken nuggets and mac'n'cheese)
Swimming at the local pool
The Tootie-Tah dance
Fishing (picture a 7 year-old catching a shark)
Lasting friendships
LIT (Leaders In Training) program for older teens
Did I mention singing and dancing?
A full nursing staff and onsite doctors to give meds, shots, tend to sick campers, and offer 24 hour medical assistance
And the list goes on and on….
Not only is camp a place for fun, but it really does offer these kids something they cannot get at home. It gives a sense of independence to those that are constantly guarded in real life. It gives the bald, scarred, blind, and sickly kids a sense of belonging, away from the usual stares from those who don't understand. It gives kids a place to feel "normal" and accepted. It gives siblings a chance to let loose, get the attention they might be missing at home, and hang out with other siblings who know what they're going through. It gives parents a nice break and a peace of mind, knowing their children are in good hands. And it gives staff like me a renewed perspective on life. All of us at Camp GoodTimes truly are a family!
We are always looking for energetic volunteers. If you're interested in spending a week of your summer at the happiest place on earth (forget Disneyland!), or to learn more, please contact me at annied@rtpevents.com.
Camp GoodTimes is celebrating their 25th anniversary!
http://www.campgoodtimeswest.org/index.php
~Annie
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