The Essence of Teamwork

Teamwork: work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole

The definition is simple to understand really, but do you know why it is important?

Business owners would probably agree with me when I say TEAMWORK is important. Why is that so? Imagine a basketball team that does not work together, what do you think will happen to them? Every player will do his own thing regardless if it’s wrong which can lead to disaster. This is very applicable to businesses. Employees working together are mostly likely to produce more than those who work separately.

Real teamwork is rare. It is inspiring and a productive human activity. Most business wants to achieve this great energy but gaining it is not easy. Working as a team can be rewarding. It can be difficult and frustrating at times but if the members have great communication, it can be achieved.

How can you be an effective member?

• have an open communication
• don’t point fingers
• learn to listen
• encourage team members to share their ideas
• be involved

The success of the team does not only rely on its members. It is how the leader leads.

How can you be an effective leader?

• be positive
• have an open door relationship with your members
• allow the team to learn on their own
• give feedback, may it be positive or negative
• guide
• value your team’s ideas

Let’s take a telemarketing team for example. A team includes a Team Leader and the Telemarketers. During a Lead Generation or an Appointment setting campaign, each team is given a quota depending on the agreement. It is up to the team lead to distribute and assign the quota to the telemarketers. When an agent can't reach a quota, other members will help in order to reach the quota of the whole team. When you are working for a team, you are not only working for yourself, but for everyone. The success of the whole is your reward.

The essence of working together is that it gives us a chance to accomplish more than what we can do ourselves. Always remember the TEAM means, Together Everyone Achieve More.