Business Solutions

No successful entrepreneur or business exists for themselves alone. But, tends to some great need, or performs some great service, all the while not for self interest, but simply for others… or failing in that purpose, ceases to be profitable and completely ceases to exist.

Attributes of Successful Entrepreneurs – Building the Best Team

Build a superior business team, since let’s face it no one person can build a successful business alone. To be successful is a task requiring a team that is committed as you to the business, and its success.

Set common goals for your team that they can share, because let’s face the fact your employees won’t just form a great team spontaneously. You need to provide them “team goals” to work toward that require the equal effort of each team member. State the goal clearly and concisely, and make sure it is well-defined, measurable, and has a definite time limit, encouraging your team to pull together.

Resolve conflicts quickly with established rules for handling any conflicts. Don’t fail to establish clear ground rules, or what looks on the surface like petty differences can quickly escalate into a team-destroying struggle for power. Then when a conflict surfaces, remind whoever’s involved of the ground rules, then let each one have their right to be heard. Be sure you ask the employees to resolve the conflict first, but if they fail to do that, coach them through it.

Encourage inclusion because you tell the group it’s a team, doesn’t make it so. Understand that in order for a team to bond with a genuine sense of solidarity and shared effort, each team member must essentially feel included. Assign individual tasks to team members, and ensure any assigned tasks aren’t busywork, but are real and offer value to the team. Observe closely for any team member that seems to be holding back and avoiding any level of contribution. Be certain and give this type of person something critically important to do.

Develop Interaction at all meetings, and make it a point not to be the one who answers all of the questions. Be sure and deflect as many questions as possible to other team members so they will get accustomed to consulting with each other, not just you. Areas of expertise within the team will emerge over time, and team members will start to call on each other with increased frequency, to answer questions that require specific and special knowledge.

Evolve and Grow by raising the stakes once the team is formed and reached an initial goal. Then determine a larger goal and start encouraging more and more complex methods, because the original uniqueness of being on a team begins to wear off with too many repetitive team performances.

Celebrate victories to help the team stay strong and motivated. Let the team decide how to celebrate whenever goals are reached. The simple sense of commonality with achievements and shared congratulations helps significant bonding to occur.

Remain the Boss and make it clear that you are the final arbiter when it comes to problems, and that final goal approval is yours. In the end, it is your business whether success or failure is the result, and while a team represents a great contribution to your business, ultimate responsibility and accountability falls on you for any progress, as well as any setbacks. Whatever you do, don’t give up control just because you may share the workload with your team.

Finally, don’t limit your business team to immediate employees only, but understand the team may include family members, friends, suppliers, business alliances, employees, sub-contractors, industry and business associations, local government and don’t forget, the community.

Of course, believe it or not, the most important team members will be your customers or clients that directly effect and impact the future success of your business.