Successfully Building a Team

Successfully Building a Team

Role Definition

When it comes to team building, there is always room to pivot. However, from the start, it is important to identify the roles of each team member. This can be established through job titles, as well as  employee education of the purpose of each department and how they are interrelated. For example, your sales team may heavily rely on the estimating or quoting department prior to sending prices or estimates to clientele. This results in expectation management of both sales team and estimating team, that in order to provide an accurate price, the sales associates are expected to provide clear client needs to estimating, and estimating is to provide clear pricing data to the sales team in order for streamline communication and explicit distribution of information.

Day One Expectations

Entering an office building as a new hire can be overwhelming. Beginning a new position and immersing yourself in a new environment surrounded by new, established individuals and unfamiliar expectations is stressful. From a management perspective, it is critical to provide guidance and a hierarchy to these new employees so they can feel comfortable reporting to ideal contacts for assistance. This will aid in effective training and job efficiency. Establishing whether or not there is a dress code, time and hors of operations, and completed work expectations enables your employee to forecast what a typical day will entail. Your new hire should also be fluent in their role, as well as understand how their role benefits the company. Understanding how a role impacts a company allows the employee to maintain a positive mindset, while learning how to best and most efficiently complete a task.

Celebrate Success and Understand Failures

It is important to celebrate success, even if it is small. Small successes such as organizing filing cabinets, and large successes such as securing a large order, all have value. Embracing the wins of each employee will make your team feel valued. When your employees feels their work is valued, they will tend to work harder as they know they are a beneficial and productive part of the team.

Failures should be used as learning tools and training tactics. By addressing failures and mistakes, management can help employees navigate ways in which a new strategy, change of pace, or workflow pivot may increase success and overall efficiency. Improving is a constant action. Letting your employees know you appreciate their efforts, rather than overlooking mistakes and failures in their entirety, can be a building exercise to help employees feel safe, understood, and like contributing members of the team.

Team Activities

While team activities are not expected to happen daily, it is important to set aside time for various team building activities when the busy schedule allows. Working and collaborating with others around you is easier and more comfortable when you do not feel like you are sitting next to a stranger.

Some activities are specifically designed for team building purposes. Scavenger hunts, card games, or even a field day offsite are productive ways to get your team working together. If in a time restricted scenario, try alternate options such as taking team lunches, a group walk, or having conversations with your coworkers. These exercises can increase team comradery and communication efficiency.

Office Design

Have you ever thoughts about the way your office is designed? Studies show that an office will appear more inviting if you allow for employees to have their own, personal workspace without feeling secluded on an “island” or within a cubicle. Separating employees completely can prevent effective communication and may inhibit overall workflow.

Organizing desks close enough together to enable collaboration, but with ample space so as not to “cram” employees together will allow for increased communication and ease of information transfer. Keeping a stash of office supplies stored in an accessible, common area is also beneficial. Employees will feel comfortable getting what they need to complete daily tasks without feeling the stress of being without supplies, or purchasing small items on their dollar.

Conference rooms and tables are also beneficial. Team meetings allow for all employees to collaborate and share ideas and company updates. This enables smooth weekly meetings and the ability for a time for everyone to meet and discuss items in a common setting.

Contact Us

Here at Edgewood Pointe Towers, we value community building and want our office space to be a safe place for your business to grow effectively. Contact Us or give us a call today at 319-408-8620 to discover available spaces at Edgewood Pointe Towers and speak with our expert leasing agents!