Teamwork: Role of Business Consultants in Organisations - Essay Example

?Teamwork Introduction Today, one cannot talk about success in business or organization without involving teamwork. Actually, teamwork is an integralcomponent in any business and business plan. Teamwork helps in complementing individual capability in a particular field. A team always strives to achieve company goals and objectives. Consequently, the quality of a particular team determines the level of achievement of particular business or organization. A good teamwork is essential as skills are incorporated and work becomes easy in a particular organization. Furthermore, performance and production in an organization improves if motivation is part of team initiative. Qualities possessed by a team in an organization always outdo individual’s quality. Decision making in an organization is essential in driving organization agenda, when a team is involved decision is made by the entire group in an organization and any progress or failure will be part of the team. Consequently, skilled members and employee raises chance for their skills in effective decision-making. Moreover, teamwork in an organization lays a basis for sharing and solving ideas effectively. The best team cultures develop where team members recognize that everyone else also has an important value to contribute for the team success. This paper seeks to discuss importance and limitations of teamwork in organizations from the perspective of a business consultant. Teamwork is an essential component in any organization. Various organizations in the world especially in business arena have been struggling to establish a strong team to improve on efficiency and outcomes. Teamwork is important both in profit and in non-profit organizations. Moreover, teamwork in business is used to classify how people work and cooperate. An effective teamwork in any business enhances output and customer satisfaction is likely to be achieved. In addition, members or employee in an organization who are involved in a well run business are more likely to point out the weakness in particular line of production. This is essential, as the problem will not reach the customer before being tackled. To maintain team spirit in an organization or company there should be well set rules for engagement to avoid conflict that may arise in various forms of engagement. A team where there is no conflict or cause of alarm is likely to achieve way above its set goals. Additionally, teamwork calls for a united front and approach to issues in an organization. In a team, there is no thing like the one it is not possible. Moreover, when it comes to profit sharing equality is achieved with no complain from individuals involved. Any problem or issue that arises is brought on board and member contributions in a team are geared towards solving it. In such scenario, any activities in an organization function as if only one person handles it. Consequently, high quality is achieved in the line of duty and issue of low standards is minimized. Additionally, division of labor is effective, each member is assigned particular role based on competence and experience. Furthermore, in such arrangement, there is clear chain of command, supervisory, and therefore, managerial role becomes minimal. In a team responsibility, and authority sharing is achieved in a cordial manner. Overall, a united team lays foundation for good team building and team spirit. The most important thing in a team is division of labor. Teamwork provides an opportunity for equal and fair distribution of work in an organization. Such arrangements as gives one a chance to perform a duty with the best efficiency possible. Consequently, the whole team is able to meet deadlines and make deliveries on time. Moreover, division of labor is of significance as it allows one an opportunity to notice any failure in the whole process. In addition, duplication of roles and responsibilities is minimized. In an effective team, individual responsibility is an integral process for the whole team success. Consequently, individual strive to excel contributes to overall team success while the opposite is true. Therefore, an individual takes care to avoid the team blaming any failure on them. Consequently, there is reduction of risk occurring to the detriment of the organization. Mostly, such organization end up making more profit. Individual specialization in a particular field leads to perfection. Teamwork calls for member to identify their particular field of specialty. Therefore, members are able to identify and specialize in specific field. This leads to perfection in the organization, and efficiency is improved significantly. Individual and the whole team output are guaranteed. In a team, the overriding factor is organization’s interest. Any other issue or factor that may arise is subordinate to this concept. To achieve the organization set standards and goals each team member put their maximum effort. Consequently, high quality and timely output is achieved. Proper distribution of work reduces individual workload and high quality work is done at lowest possible time. Of the most significance of teamwork is timely completion of job. Work is usually completed with the highest possible efficiency. Consequently, if this is transferred to customers or client of a particular organization there is likelihood of them coming back to get the service. The other important thing about teamwork is production of high classic work due to extra care involved in the production process. However, teamwork though described as a successful in an organization is also faced with challenges. Many are the times when team members differ on issues and opinions due to cultural and social differences. Difference result when it comes to concluding the achievement of particular desired goals and objectives of a particular organization. In addition, differences can arise based on a particular goal. Sometimes in a team, there is lack of trust among members. In addition, some members may appear to degrade other member’s ideas and roles and this is not healthy for proper functioning of a team. The other important challenge is lack of clear channels of communication especially from the superiors to their juniors. This is likely to impede the team spirit and leads to reduced work out put. Solving these challenges at their initial stages is important in maintaining the spirit of the teamwork (Parker, 2011, 183-187). Teamwork improvement is essential in maintain the spirit of working as a team. One such improvement is giving incentives and member appraisal on work well done. For teamwork to be effective, all the members should understand each other in various aspects. Social activities play a key role in addressing this issue. Such activities may be arranged in a formal or informal place to the satisfaction of the team members (Salas and Bowers, 2001, p.220). In addition, teamwork activities can be boosted in many ways. Each member’s role in a team should be clearly structured. Outline of the task ahead should be analyzed to every member and designed depending on member skills and capability. An effective consultative forum is good to analyze member’s zeal and will to perform a particular given task. This will help in avoiding delays in completion of assigned tasks. Members should also be effective in identifying any source of conflict. Various forms of conflicts are likely to arise based on member’s indifference, task delays, and even personality differences. Mediation is also important process in disputes arising in teamwork. It is good to have direct confrontation to a problem when it arises instead of keeping quite and allowing it to become bigger issue. Laying blame on somebody is not a solution in a team. Members need to be practical in their activities and geared towards solving issues amicably and promptly (Parker, 2011, p.189). A business consultant plays an important role in analysis of a particular business or organization. A business consultant can help organization in addressing issues of teamwork and guide on steps to be taken to have an effective teamwork. Business consultant generally advises on foundation of laying an effective teamwork. For a business or organization to have high performance the purpose, commitment and trust of teamwork should be addressed in the beginning (West, 2004, P.117). In addition, clear operation analysis for the team should be established and how each members and stakeholders is to contribute towards it. Business consultant emphasize on capacity building and capability. A good team is established based on individual capability. Moreover, individual in a team are bound to agree to perform duties of the other member incase an issue arises. In addition, rules of engagement are important in any team and members should work on them before discussing other issues in a team (West, 2004, P.88). In conclusion, having teams in business and other organization is an effective way of maximizing output at the minimal time possible. Moreover, an effective team ensures that an organization or a business satisfies customers in an effective way and this helps in maintaining and having a large customer base. The processes of working together with teams will determine how successful the organization is. To manage people is not just to work as a supervisor, to see that they get their work done according to the laid down standards. It means involving people throughout the team in a creative role, to ensure that together, they are all able to succeed and achieve the set goals. Involving team member on broad issues is a motivational factor. Never undermine people since their views can enhance methods, standards, processes, and overall effectiveness. Additionally, challenges are part of teamwork and each member should strive to overcome them in all possible means. Works Cited Humphrey, S and Over, J 2010, Leadership, Teamwork, and Trust: Building a Competitive Software Capability, Addison-Wesley Professional, New York.  Parker, G, 2011 Team Players and Teamwork: New Strategies for Developing Successful Collaboration, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Salas, E and Bowers, A 2001, Improving Teamwork in Organization, Routledge, London. West, M 2004, Effective Teamwork: Practical Lessons from Organizational Research, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Read More