‘If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together’, an African proverb often used in relation to business and understandably so, since alone and fast is how many entrepreneurs tend to start off.
Inevitably though, the time will come when the only way to expand is to start delegating, and that’s where a strong team becomes an invaluable asset.
Instant Offices’ Bryan Hunter weighs in on how to build one that’s engaged, energised and right for the job.
Define Your Culture
To get the right people on board it’s essential to define your business culture. What does your company stand for, how does it communicate, where is it going and how is it getting there? These are all crucial questions that deserve articulate answers.
The good news is that setting the foundation for your company culture won’t only set the tone and attract the right kinds of people – more than 92% of CEOs and CFOs believe that they could improve the value of their company if they improved its culture, so it can positively impact your bottom line too.
Nurture a Team-Orientated Environment
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to create an environment of trust, communication and respect. Set the tone from the outset by being transparent and clear about the goals of the business. Once you’ve defined what ‘winning’ looks like, communicate it – explaining the value of meeting company goals is a great way to inspire team members to work together. Encourage collaboration and innovation by creating a framework and enabling teams to work freely within it.
Ask for Referrals
Using your existing talent is a great way to find more suitable recruits. Ask your team members for personal recommendations and referrals when it comes to finding new hires. As important as skills and qualifications are on paper, when hiring someone new it’s far more important to ensure they are compatible with your culture. One of the best ways to identify possible candidates is to involve your current team members in interviews and meetings, as they’ll be the ones working together closely.
Increase Satisfaction
Employee turnover can cost a company up to 2x an annual salary, which means it’s worth spending time instilling loyalty and creating an environment where employees feel content. One of the most obvious ways to do this is to offer competitive compensation, but studies show that increasing employee satisfaction can be approached in several different ways, from giving your team more control over their working hours and environment, to reducing noise in the workplace.
Delegate Authority
Handing over responsibilities can be a daunting task for most entrepreneurs, but allowing members of your team to make critical decisions enables them to take ownership. If there are goals to be met, ensure that they have the authority and tools to meet them. Flat organisational structures not only allow people to work autonomously, but also encourage speed, agility, and communication.
Manage Conflict
Managing a talented group of people won’t always go smoothly and office conflict is bound to flare occasionally. When it does, it’s not always a negative because people who care enough to disagree about something are usually invested in the project.
By learning to recognise the most common causes of conflict and dealing with them head on before they have a chance to escalate, you can turn them into positive learning experiences and chances to communicate. Find out more about how to communicate with and manage different work personality types.
Speak to a specialist at Instant to discover more about the perfect space for your team and how the right choice of office can allow your company to grow.