As I browse the net for an appropriate definition of TEAM, I came across a number of variously phrased but essentially the same ideas. In summary, let us try to extract the key concepts that are common in all definitions:
A team is…
… Composed of a group of people with clearly defined goals
… Driven by the same purpose
… A group working in collaboration with others
… A cooperative unit
Teams in organizations are not unusual. In fact, an entire organization can be fashioned into one unified team, set towards attaining one vision.
Oftentimes, one employee’s entry in a team is a given. Usually, the department or unit you are in becomes your instant team. However, organizations can create their own teams, especially for special projects that require the collaboration of people with diverse skills.
Special teams can be set up to achieve special objectives.
Leadership Team
Often includes an organization’s senior managers or department heads. The leadership team is the group that must pull together to lead the organization. The leadership team is responsible for the strategic direction of your organization, The leadership team plans, sets goals, provides guidance to, and manages your organization.
For organizations that value the importance of collective decision-making, leadership teams are proven to be effective. Moreso, since this team represents each unit in the company, it unifies the organization in terms of processes and purpose.
Motivation or Employee Morale Team
Known by different names in various organizations, the Employee Morale Team plans and carries out events and activities that build a positive spirit among employees. The team’s responsibilities can include activities such as hosting employee lunches, planning company picnics, fund raising for ill employees, and fund raising for philanthropic causes. The team leads the celebration of company milestones, employee birthdays, and the arrival of new babies. The team sponsors company sports teams. You can have fun with this team as the team’s only limit is the imagination of the team members.
In most organizations, the human resources department handles this task. However, as I see the infinite possibilities that this kind of team can do to uplift employee morale, a special committee can be organized separately from HR… Since their task is to motivate, they should themselves be highly motivated and committed people. This then can be composed of individuals who have the capacity to influence others in a creative manner. They walk the walk and talk the talk…
Safety and Environmental Team
The team ensures the safety of employees in the work place. The team takes the lead in safety training, monthly safety talks, and the auditing of housekeeping, safety, and workplace organization. Recycling and environmental policy recommendations and leadership are provided by the team as well.
This team is especially important in accident-prone workplaces such as in factories. For organizations that belong to the service industry, safety is also a priority,especially when it comes to your clients’ well being. People in this committee can be equipped by requiring them to attend first-aid seminars. You can also get in touch with your local professionals in the field when organizing safety seminars.
Employee Wellness Team
The wellness team focuses on health and fitness for employees. Most popular activities include walking clubs, running teams, and periodic testing of health issues such as high blood pressure screening. The wellness team can sponsor whole person wellness activities such as how to make a budget or lunch and learns about investment products – not investment advice.
This is an interesting committee to put up, especially for those working in a high-paced, competitive, and highly stressful workplace. Most companies today invest on gyms and exercise equipment where employees can drop by before heading home. However, organizing a team to spearhead this cause would lead to better and carefully planned fitness programs that would entice a higher number of workers to participate. And since this team centers on the employees’ total wellness, they can also plan out programs to augment financial sources of workers.
Culture and Communication Team
The team works to define and create the company culture necessary for the success of your organization. The team also fosters two-way communication in your organization to ensure employee input up the chain of command. The team may sponsor the monthly newsletter, a weekly company update, quarterly employee satisfaction surveys, and an employee suggestion process.
Upon a new employee’s entrance into an organization, you would immediately get a feel of what their dominant culture is. A company that fosters excellence for example would be easily differentiated by a newcomer just by observing how each and every one in the organization work and contribute. Setting up a committee aimed at studying the existing culture would be beneficial in conceptualizing means to gradually re-define it to meet the changing demands of the society. Also, employees feel a sense of importance if they are not left out in the dark, especially with issues that concern the organization. This committee, then, also prioritizes on communication- maintaining a good level of transparency from the top management down to the lower ranks.
In my organization, I have been privileged to be a part of many special teams. For me, getting extra load and working extra hours are nothing compared to the sense of achievement and importance that you feel, especially when the team’s objectives are attained. For teams to work optimally, the purpose and goals must be laid out with clarity. Also, teams should be helmed by people who can effectively communicate the importance of the mission.
For more ideas, go to:
http://humanresources.about.com/od/involvementteams/a/five_teams.htm
anyway,...