Team Building is Key to a Successful Small Business

Many entrepreneurs started out with a great idea and tons of enthusiasm, only to later get bogged down in the daily drudgery of the business.

It is great to want to manage the birth and growth of a fresh idea. Unfortunately, most people are not equipped with all the skills necessary to bring that to fruition. There is a mindset that bringing others into the project diminishes their control or dilutes the enthusiasm. The idea of teambuilding becomes a stumbling block.

In contrast, building a team invites a tool that can give any project a powerful boost. The tool is collaboration.

Building a team that meshes well, enjoys working together, and has just as much passion for the business as the entrepreneur can be a challenge. However, it is also rewarding as your business grows and flourishes.

Here are reasons a quality team is a must.

Constructive criticism

You can start out with a great idea, but it is hard to have thought out all the details. As you progress, some flaws may become evident, or a better solution to a problem may be discovered. Being willing to accept constructive criticism, pushing ego aside, allows for the course corrections that are necessary to allow your project to progress. There are also occasions that will arise and will require a tweaking of the original plan. However, when the owner is deeply invested in the launching of the business, he might have overlooked these issues. Providing an environment where constructive criticism is encouraged may be the difference between success and failure. Also, many minds offering forward thinking solutions invite innovation.

Alternative perspectives

There usually are multiple ways to address a problem. When you have to defend your idea in a group setting, the strengths and flaws are more easily exposed and developed. Each person brings a different life experience which can enrich the collaboration and sift out the best ideas. Merging new ideas into a plan can solidify the original intent. When this is done in a constructive manner, laying egos aside, the best plans thrive.

Enlarging your sphere

Each person has a sphere of influence and relationships that can be beneficial when expanding your team. Like it or not, people prefer to do business with those that they are familiar with or have a relationship. Thus, expanding your team gives you access to others not in your sphere, but possibly in theirs. This multiplicity of acquaintances may put you in touch with a person or company that can help you elevate your business to a higher level.

Stress open communication

One of the key elements in collaboration is open and centralized communication, whether through e-mail, in-person, phone, or skype. You will want to have these communications centralized to insure access and review key meetings or ideas.

Passion for the cause

Most people can be motivated by money, but when a person is motivated for a cause or an idea, that passion will carry them through the tough times and the occasions when an answer to a problem is not immediately evident.