Joe Sherren, CSP, International Speaker, Author of ‘Vitamin C For A Healthy Workplace’ – Ethos Enterprises Inc.
Organizations go through a set of distinct and predictable phases as they mature and they will also experience a very specific set of problems as they reach the crisis turning point.
Entrepreneurial Phase
Employees share the dream. They know why they come to work. They are empowered. It is a fun place to be. There are no or few policies and the focus is on growth. 70% of companies in this stage fail within 10 years, as they often do not learn to work smarter rather than harder. At the crisis point, the organization is in need of team development, meeting skills, financial management, time management, and sales and marketing skills.
Bureaucratic Phase
Necessary policies are developed along with organizational charts, but often these stifle the creative process. They start to choose their customers based on specific criteria. At the crisis point, the organization is in need of customer service, conflict management, stress management, and presentation skills
Silo Phase
Specific products and services are focused on with a focus on ROI, ROA and ROCA. Lines of business are developed and strategic business units exist. Communication becomes more complicated both internally and for the customer. Conflict increases as each area competes for resources and importance. At this crisis point, the organization is in need of team building, communication skills, meeting effectiveness, and accountability and values development.
Matrix Phase
Company aligns with the customer. Employees are burdened with many meetings and no direct lines of reporting. There is usually a duplication of efforts across the company. At this crisis point, the organization is in need of negotiation, team leadership, conflict resolution, life balance, and change management skills.
Empowered Team
Strategic Objectives are focused on a balanced scorecard – money/profitability, employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. Empowered teams live values rather than follow rules. At this crisis point, the organization is in need of cultural development, creative thinking, future trends, life balance, strategic thinking.
What Does The Future Hold – Virtual Partnerships?
Teams formed as needed. Employees will have careers but not job focused. Success based on making other partners better. During this phase, organizations may be in need of life balance, energy management, business planning, and succession planning.
Question:
What phase is your team in?
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