Cosmetics entrepreneur Mary Kay Ash believes, "People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn't make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps."
A popular axiom takes it a step further by saying, "Fire quickly and hire slowly."
Regardless of your unique philosophy, it is important to understand and appreciate the importance of your Team. If your Team isn’t capable or reliable to do a job well, then your business will suffer. Your Team is on the front lines. Your Team creates your product or provides your service. Your Team keeps your business organized. Your Team interacts directly with your customers.
If your business relies on only you to perform, create, interact and ensure quality control, then you don’t have a business. You have a job.
A business requires a Team, and that means delegation of duties and responsibilities. Most businesses have employees, although many tasks can be outsourced, such as legal, accounting and other technical services. Even manufacturing and distribution can be done by an outside company. All of these people are part of your Team, even those who are not on your staff.
Choose your staff and your support network carefully. Interview well. Check references. Trust your instincts. A great staff member, business partner or service provider can really enhance your business, but a bad one can be hard to recover from.
Building and leading a strong Team requires skill in these areas:
Choosing - Have clear objectives before hiring or selecting a service provider or partner.
Instructing - Carefully train or instruct your team. Set goals.
Delegating - Provide duties and allow your team the space to work. You can’t do it all yourself.
Managing - Follow up. Make sure your team is getting the job done to your standards.
Motivating - Inspire your Team through positive reinforcement.
Wall Street brokerage founder Charles Schwab says, "I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement."
Provide a good work atmosphere, and take steps to build loyalty and enthusiasm. Not only will you enhance productivity among your Team members, you will also benefit from improved customer service, lower staff turnover and a willingness to work more hours for lower compensation.
Great companies take pride in awards for “Best Places to Work.” This hard-earned recognition allows these companies to attract and retain outstanding talent.
A better Team leads to better products, services and profits.
SELF ASSESSMENT: Is your team the best it can be?
SHARE WITH OTHERS: How has your business cultivated a loyal and talented team?
Comments [5]
hello my name is Fame Marqueet and i am looking for all the information i can get on how to start my own marketing business online. i am 26 yrs old,working a 9-5 & currently finishing up my degrees in Computer Programming,Business Administration and Web & multimedia(yes triple major it's exhausting). i am very passionate about my idea and already have many great talents to market just no clue where to start i have purchased many books but i feel as though information from people who have actually made it and are living their dreams would be more beneficial to me in my journey.i have written 3 business plans and i already have my vision set in stone with other ideas outside of online marketing. so my question is how do i go about getting funding for an online business or any of my other ideas with no assests and with being a victim of identity fraud currently working to fix my credit. i feel like there is no hope and no one who will help to support my ideas and dreams and this makes it hard to not give up.any advice would mean the world to me
Calvin, you are so right, team is everything. You can only be as strong as your weakest link...or something like that.... :)
Things are harder when you are a team of 1!
Your TEAM is EVERYTHING!
This is great information on building a Team!
Eric
De LuxeCierge International