Most of us have colleagues, even if we don’t work in teams, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work with a teamwork approach.
The saying that two heads are better than one is very true, and sometimes just discussing an issue with a colleague can be enough to help you resolve that issue.
So why not incorporate a teamwork approach into your work?
Basically, teamwork can be defined as a group of people working together to accomplish a shared goal. The goal can be anything from deciding the rota for loading and switching on the office kitchen dishwasher each day, to agreeing on the venue for the Christmas party, to working out the exact process and schedule for your latest business venture.
There are many different types of teams and ways in which they can work. Five of the most popular teams include:
Problem-solving team
A problem-solving team is usually temporary. It is focused on solving a specific issue. This kind of team will usually pop up if something major needs to be fixed or developed. For instance, if the company takes on a new product via merger there may be a temporary team established to troubleshoot the integration, the team is then disbanded when the processes are complete.
Virtual team
A relatively new invention the virtual team is popular with international companies or those companies that are made up of homeworkers, freelancers and contractors.
Whether it be over FaceTime, Skype or Meet Up this can be a great way to bring together a specific team of people. Either to manage projects, financial targets or simply to keep the company moving forward smoothly without the huge travel costs.
Project team
Perhaps the most traditional of all the teams, this is the permanent team within a business. Usually run by a manager and involving several people from the same or connected departments. Often found in project management companies this type of team can be further categorised as either:
- Cross-functional team
- Matrix
- Contract
- Functional
Within every business around the world, there are multiple types of teams, with subcategories and different goals. They work by waterfall or agile, in or out of the office. What they all have in common is the need to achieve and succeed. There are some excellent products to help with your meetings, whether they are formal affairs in the boardroom or impromptu ones at your office desk – we’ve highlighted some of our favourites for you:
ON THE GO or ON THE SPOT
LARGE GROUP MEETING
SMALL GROUP WORKSHOP
What kind of team do you work in? Whatever it may be or wherever you are, contact the Ozzy team for office stationery, furniture and all your office supply needs!