The Team Concept

Do we really need a Team? How many times have we heard:

He did that singlehandedly;

He is a self made man;

He doesn’t need anyone.

I believe that to be bunk, pure and simple! I have never seen anyone that can exist, let alone be successful, entirely by himself. I’ve never met a man or woman that can produce a child with no connection!!!

If we look to Webster or Encarta, we find team defined as, “a number of people organized to function cooperatively as a group”. That means all pulling on the same string, the same direction toward the same goal.

If a group is to act as a team or network, it must combine something with another object, particularly one that matches or complements it. That means all enhancing the efforts of the others in the band.

In business, it is imperative that we have a working party of many facets. Some of those are:

Employees;

Vendors;

Sub-contractors;

Affiliates;

Associates; and perhaps the most important,

Customers.

I would like to dissect this working party and discuss each individually.

Employee:: As an employer, the employee is the necessary vehicle to accomplish the tasks required to produce a product or service. They are not slaves. They should be respected, paid well for their efforts.

The employee must be loyal to the employer. If the “company” doesn’t make profits and thrive, it cannot continue to have employees.
Vendor:: The business must have quality, dependable vendors which supply the many components required to produce a product or service. The company must deal fairly and timely with suppliers.
Sub-Contractor:: Often it is far more efficient and economical to sub-contract portions of specialized work. In this event, the timely production of their work determines the well-timed production and cost of your product or service. Make sure the dealings are fair and equitable.
Affiliate:: Affiliates have become more popular since the advent of the internet, but those arrangements have existed for all time. If someone supplies you with a customer, it is only fair that they be paid for their efforts. This may be done through a broad affiliate base or an individual basis, but make it fair.
Associate:: The term Associate is used here as a probable competitor, not an Affiliate. That may seem strange to some, but there are times when we have prime customers we may not be in position to service on the timing they require. If an amiable alliance exists with a good competitor, the prime customer’s needs may be met through a mutual connection. Care should be given to avoid customer defection (theft) and potential accusations of collusion.
Customer:: This animal is one of the most important in the lineup. If we don’t have a customer, no market; no market, no need for product or service; no need, no employee, nor business!!

Many times entrepreneurs or businesses become whores for the customer. There should be as much care and planning in acquiring a customer as a key employee or another product/service line.

While we must be loyal to the customer, we must instill that same loyalty in the customer towards our business. This is earned, not deserved, through product, service, and price, and also in the total relationship of fair and equitable dealing.

We all have to use practical and wise principles in work and business to grow and better ourselves. Too many times today, the “cheap labor”, “better offer” or “cheaper price” is utilized without consideration for the long haul and certainly doesn’t encourage loyalty. Loyalty must be a two-way street. This applies to all of the “working party” recited above.

The old saying, “The cream always floats to the top!” is still true today.