Team work: team building outside your company
(Oops, a month ago I wrote: 2007, where has it gone? I could say the same of January 2008: where has it gone?!? and excuses for the silence on this blog: I've been rather business busy ;-))
In 2006 73% of UK businesses employed just 1 or 2 employees, most times the 'hands-on' (jack of all trades) director - directors (or sole-trader and partner). Accounting, logistics, marketing, sales, operations, deliveries, customer care, debt collecting, networking etc etc etc. All tasks, jobs any normal business has to tackle. All tasks, jobs in 73% of UK businesses done by the 1 or two employees.
Now, some of these tasks can be outsourced of course. Then the question is always: will the company that handles the outsourced task represent you in same the way you would represent your company. Comparability and consistency.
Also, outsourcing on a part-time or full-time or even project time base? Cash-flow (and once again: consistency).
Or, a method I prefer, you can build a dedicated team around you. A team that consists of team members who know you and your company and the other team members; team members who are a star in their own field - or fields; team members who help you build your company stronger in a consistent way. Team members who have their own business but who will regard you as the team-leader.
You can't build a team like that on an ad-hoc base and, like with any internal team, it takes time to find, source the correct and compatible team members. Not only do they have to get along with you, the team leader, but also with the other members.
Tomorrow, on our FAQ & News site a terrific sample of outside team work will appear. The title is very appropriate too: From little Acorns.....
(small ideas are little acorns, not? And when little ideas are fed with nutritious input and cared for gently but firmly they grow into the most wonderful results, products.)
More on this specific team work, the specific team members and their tremendous input in another post. It's back to the long 'still-to-do-list' for me at the moment.
