At my company, we have a process that involves multiple employees. Each employee must do certain tasks. These tasks can seem like extra work, because they don’t always directly relate to the employee’s job. For instance, we need our sales staff to enter in some projections.
That one little thing caused some consternation for the sales team. They want to focus their time selling, and as little as possible on paperwork and extra tasks. This, of course, is the same goal of the business. However, as a business, we are more than just a sales team. We have people working in many different areas, and have certain tasks that need to be accomplished.
One thing I have found is that you can go about implementing a new task two ways. The right way, and the wrong way.
The wrong way is to make a decision, and then just tell everyone what they need to do.
The right way is to get some input in the decision making process. Then show people what needs to be accomplished, and how they fit into the big picture.
With the sales team, when I can sit down with them and show them how the task I am asking them to do helps the business as a whole, it is much easier to get them on board.
Teamwork is a funny thing. A lot of companies want a strong sense of teamwork, but don’t do anything to build it. Teamwork takes effort on the part of management. You need to cut down barriers between employees and departments. You need to talk big picture with everyone, and show them how they fit and how they are important.
The cocky salesman needs to know that without the customer service rep and the billing clerk, his job would be alot harder. The order processor needs to know that its the salesman who brings in the work, and that others are depending on him to get the orders right for a smooth experience.
The worse thing that can happen is when an employee starts to operate and think in a bubble. If she just considers how things will effect her, and not the rest of the company, you have a problem. You need to be able to plug each person in. No one should be operating on the margins of the company. If you treat your salespeople like gold but your delivery team like crap, you have a serious disconnect. Even if you do treat everyone fairly, there can be a disconnect because of perceptions.
There are two main areas to focus on when building a sense of teamwork.
Area 1: Making sure everyone understands their contribution to the whole.
Explain the big picture to each of your employees. Show them how a specific task they do helps, and perhaps even saves steps for others. Consider drawing a map of your sales and fullfillment process. Show each person where they fit, and help them gain an appreciation for what the other team members do.
Area 2: Creating a sense of community.
Your goal is to get everyone feeling that they are in it together. They should have a clear goal that they want to reach as a team. If one person undervalues another’s contribution, there will be problems. Look at yourself. Are you giving more kudos to one employee or one group of employees than another? Find ways to hand kudos out evenly. After all, everyone is making an important contribution to the company.
Develop a strong sense of purpose at your company. Get input from everyone. Give praise to every worthy employee (and work on improving the not-so-worthy-at-the-moment employees).
One great way to improve teamwork is to put together a task group of employees from different areas and have them work together on a new project or idea. Another idea is to cross-train some employees. Have your billing person sit in on a sales training. Have your receptionist sit in on your delivery training. This will help people get a better idea of what others are doing, and a better appreciation.
If teamwork is your goal, you will need to commit to it. You can build good teamwork, but it is going to mean getting everyone on the same page and developing a common interest. Happy team building!
