Teamwork is no longer an option, but is critical for individuals and businesses. The ability to work as a team is essential for anyone looking to advance in business and for any business looking to survive. For individuals, proficient technical skills do not insulate you from the collaboration demands of modern business. If you can’t be a team player, then you may be hurting your ability to move up your chosen career ladder or even keep your job. To thrive, a business must have the ability to cultivate a team environment.

The globalization of industry and the staggering advances in the availability of information require businesses to operate more efficiently than ever before. Successful businesses must work together at all levels to stay competitive. Therefore, team work is no longer the subject of feel good memos or cheesy weekend retreats – teamwork is critical for a company’s survival. Individuals who are not ready to be “team players” may find themselves on the sidelines.

Globalization of industry

According to a July 12, 2007 article in Fortune Magazine The greatest economic boom ever, by Rik Kirkland, emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Russia, India, China, and all of Asia have outpaced the United States in GDP growth. This emerging growth spurs demand for building products and fosters new financial markets. As people in other countries obtain more wealth, they demand more goods and services. Kirkland likens the growing demand to a “global version of America’s postwar boom.” A company able to meet the demands in emerging markets will face little competition –at least temporarily. The emerging markets are breeding a new class of entrepreneurs who will satisfy the local demands, but who will also put their products on the global market. The ever-increasing ability to communicate globally will allow these markets to reach out beyond any border. According to Kirkland, “these products won’t just be sold in emerging markets. Instead they’ll filter back into the rich economies - a new deflationary force that should delight buyers but devastate competitors who lack a global footprint.”

Teamwork will be an essential ingredient to compete in these emerging markets and with the new business forces growing out of these markets. With the constantly expanding internet, a tremendous amount of new information is available instantly. So much information is available that one person may not be able to process it or use it effectively. The solution to information overload is to build a team from different disciplines with varying niche areas of expertise.

Marketing in emerging economies will present new challenges that will require collaboration among many different individuals from diverse backgrounds. Individuals who have the technical skills will need to work closely with those possessing the language skills and with those who are experts on local customs and protocol. Those who can be part of global teams will be in high demand. Those unable to change and adapt will become replaceable.

How to create a great team

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” — Michael Jordan

Recruit the right players. When putting together a work-group or team, don’t look for the best players, look for the right players. A team full of superstars will not function if they keep tripping over each other’s egos. We’ve all heard the saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. The best teams are made up of individuals who love what they do but who are willing to accept input from others. A team functions best when each player works towards the team goal rather than for their individual agendas.

Find a good coach. Every team needs a leader. No matter how talented and focused the team players are, they need direction, encouragement, discipline, and motivation. With a leader clearly defined, there is no time wasted competing for the limelight or floundering in the dark. A good leader will utilize each member’s strengths and keep the members focused on the team goal. A leader will also identify personal agendas and prevent them from hindering team performance.

Build trust. A team who trusts the team leader and the team members will work together effectively. Think of the basketball player who makes a blind pass or the quarterback who throws to an empty spot on the field knowing that his receiver will be there. These players trust that their team members will be doing their job. The best way to build trust is to be transparent. Secrecy, limited information, and ‘closed door meetings’ breed fear and mistrust. To build an effective team, a company and team leader must not keep secrets. Performance goals, agendas, timelines, policy, and conflicts should be openly but professionally discussed with team members. Further, although a team leader can’t make an underperformer do laps, openly discussing performance issues with the team will keep everyone doing their best.

How to be a team player
“Change is good. You go first.” — Dilbert

Trying to be part of a team may be difficult. Throughout our academic life and much of our work life we have been pitted against others. We were ranked in school by how well we did compared to other students. Getting a promotion meant that someone else did not. “Look out for number one” has been our motto. I came from a large law firm environment where associates wouldn’t think twice about throwing fellow attorneys under the bus to advance their careers. Trying to be a team player will not come naturally for many of us.
The first lesson to being a team player is to commit to the team. Use your talents and knowledge to advance the team goal. When the team succeeds then you will succeed. A good team will listen to everyone’s ideas and make decisions that further the team’s mission. This means that each member must be willing to compromise.
Team members must also be flexible and accept new ways of doing things. Be ready to adapt your way of doing things to further the team’s growth and improvement. Most importantly – do your part and do it well. If the receiver doesn’t run his route, then there will be no touchdown, or worse, the ball may be intercepted.

Make it happen
The instant availability of new information, the ever quickening pace of business and the globalization of industry makes achieving success harder than ever. To succeed, you will likely need to form a team or work as part of a team. If you are a business leader, then choose your team members based on their talents and their ability to work with others. Likewise, individuals need to check their egos, roll up their sleeves and work towards the championship.

Most, if not all, Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors in Ohio have heard about their continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.  As a reminder, following is the basic information you must know to comply with Ohio Revised Code §4733.151. 
 
The Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors (Board) requires that all Ohio professional engineers (P.E.) and Ohio professional surveyors (P.S.) who want to maintain their registration to practice their professions in Ohio are required to complete a minimum of 15 CPD hours per year.
 
Unlike continuing education requirements for other professions such as attorneys, the Board does not keep track of the courses. 
 
Engineers and surveyors are responsible to maintain their own log on form ENG 4012 and be able to produce the log if requested by the Board.  Your activity log must show the type, date, duration, number of hours claimed, instructor names and names of the courses or activities. Additionally, you must also keep proof of attendance, such as a certificate, letter of attendance or any other form that can verify the CPD activity and date completed.  You must keep this log for three years.
 
The Board does not pre-certify courses nor does it keep a list of qualifying courses.  The Board only offers the following three criteria to for qualifying CPD courses: 1) the activity, course or seminar should be relevant to the practice of engineering or surveying and it should include technical, ethical or managerial content; 2) the provider of the course, seminar or activity should be reputable and be able to demonstrate knowledge and expertise on the subject matter; and 3) the provider should supply a course outline and a record of attendance.

Web seminars will not qualify unless the web seminar provider is able to verify and confirm attendance and participation.  You should verify how this requirement is met and documented before paying for any online course.  The Board does not accept self-directed study.

There are several ways to obtain your CPD hours besides attending seminars.  You can earn hours by 1) taking university or college courses; 2) publishing a paper, article, or book; 3) being awarded a patent; 4) serving as an officer or active committee member of a professional or technical society or association; or 5) teaching a course for the first time. The Board also allows courses in financial management to qualify.
 
If a professional engineer or professional surveyor does not meet the requirements he or she will be given a notice of deficiency and be given six months to attend courses.  Further failure to comply could result in an adjudicatory hearing and possible suspension or revocation of your license.

Lanier Consulting, LLC will be starting a series of training seminars for engineers. The seminars will focus on the practice of engineering and the instructors will be experts in their fields.  Lanier Consulting will issue certificates of completion and will keep attendance records and materials on file to ensure that these courses help you meet your CPD requirements.
 
We are working on our schedule and are still recruiting instructors.  If you would like to serve as an instructor or would like more information about our courses, please visit our web site at www.lanierconsult.com/training  or contact Lanier Consulting at training@lanierconsult.com or at 330-688-3772.