A small time entrepreneur that has achieved the goal of success is very likely to venture out further and expand their business. In order to achieve higher targets and energize their business, they will be faced with the challenge of hiring more people and leading a team. Gathering a successful team of people is not an easy task, and it requires a lot of insight, strategic planning and intuition. Team building or developing an effective team is as tricky as selecting the right décor for your house. As your home should depict your personality, an effective team should enhance your business and generate the desired effect on your enterprise.

First step in team building is hiring the correct people. Your work team should consist of a blend of personalities, in order to take up many different tasks involved in the business, and there should be a proper balance within the group to avoid any clashes. Therefore spend as much time and energy as possible on this task, and make sure your work team is a blend of characters that will not hinder, but only enhance the growth of your business. Select individuals that are capable of communicating in a group and are respectful of and mindful of collective ideas. The success of a team depends heavily on the ability and willingness of each individual to achieve targets and make things happen. The enthusiasm of the team is a collective effort that can easily be maimed by one member who isn’t willing to give in to the team effect. Therefore it is very important to select the right people to make a successful team.

Decide the types of strata you wish to have in your team:

• What are the positions you need in your team?
• Ascertain the experience and talents needed for the particular positions
• The criteria in which you want these positions. For instance, if they should be brought in as consultants, free-lancing individuals, short-term posts or as permanent employees. (It is always advisable to have long-term members, in order to build a strong team.)
• How you intend to place the various members in the positions?
• In what capacity you wish to empower them in their duties?

Finding the perfect persons for the positions should be stressed again. But, it is very rarely that you find perfect talent. Do not be discouraged, for it can be overcome by training the candidates to fit the role you have in mind for them. Proper guidance and training can produce that perfect fit you desire. But it is important to find the closest fit in order to achieve better results.

Also, try to get feedback from the team members on their current positions, and when required, reassign them to achieve a better fit. The strength of a leader lies in their ability to evaluate and assess a team member and know their potential and where their talents would best contribute to the team. Therefore it is important to constantly evaluate the team and change formations according to changing requirements. This holds true especially in situations where the goals or tasks of a team changes, based on shifting objectives or company growth.

Some teams are more successful than others. This simply lies in the strength of the team, management qualities of the team leaders, team relationship and cooperation of members. The ability to achieve given targets, pursue said goals and missions, and the delivery of the products or services in a timely manner are paramount factors that define a successful team. The success of a team lies mainly in the hands of the leader who guides them.

The following points should be emphasized in order to guide a team to success as a proficient and capable leader:

• Purpose, mission, goals and requirements of the team should be fully understood and communicated to all members. It is very important to define roles, responsibilities, attitudes and rules of conduct.
• Make sure every member receives the proper training required for his or her individual roles and responsibilities in the team. Remember to budget for seminars, training courses, programs, training material, books, tapes and other necessities required.
• Hold team building sessions, daily or weekly review meetings, and interactive sessions where team members can voice their thoughts. Try to achieve a work environment where creativity is encouraged and mistakes are looked upon as lessons.
• Make sure all team members are provided with necessary resources and tools required to carry out their duties successfully. Allow time for breaks, and provide proper recreational facilities to make the office environment pleasant and stress free.
• Aim to achieve continuous improvement in team members. Train them to meet challenges in the fast changing business market, and make sure they keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
• Provide each team member with career goals and discuss the growth of their role in the company, emphasizing on their personal achievements, motivating them to succeed further. Set out targets for personal character growth, which in turn will contribute to the team effect. Make each member feel special and important in their contribution to the company.
• Reward the team whenever possible and acknowledge their accomplishments. Celebrate with the team when certain milestones are reached.
• Avoid conflict by always stressing on the importance of a collective effort. The team should have one purpose, one mission, same goals, same attitudes and same rewards. Give equal importance to the team and avoid biases.

Experiment with these and implement others. Be a leader with proper hindsight and you will have a successful team at your disposal.