The Team Approach

Look at the business results generated right in our own backyard:

· $458,115 in annual cost savings by employees' efforts to reduce equipment breakdowns and improve utilization

· A 75 percent improvement in efficiency through employees working to improve on-time delivery

· A 49 percent reduction in cost of goods sold by an operations team working together to eliminate waste

· A 350 percent increase in income by a sales team that really listened to their customers

· $75,000 of recaptured revenue by a team that developed ways to improve billing accuracy

The amazing thing about these achievements is that they not a result of luck or timing. These results can be repeated with the right approach. At the heart of this approach are people working closely together using proven performance improvement tools and processes.

Sound overly optimistic? Let's just say that many of the bottom-line results generated by work teams in Southwest Florida don't come directly from high power managers. They come from normal, every day people. The formula for success has proven itself in every sector including government, education, healthcare and service business and manufacturing. And it can work in small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

If dramatic results are needed in your organization, the only way they are going to happen is if you institute more effective ways of doing business as a part of the daily routine. Your company should consider developing effective performance improvement teams in your work place to achieve these goals.

There are a number of things that need to be done in order to get successful teams up and running in your organization. Ultimately, people need the encouragement and support from the top. Additionally, they need the skills to work effectively in groups and the tools to solve problems and improve their work processes. The first requires only an investment in terms of leadership commitment. The second requires an investment in training and development. Learning basic meeting skills, team building, basic quality and measurement tools and a standard problem solving process are a good place to start.

Interested? Take the first step by building your own awareness and becoming more familiar with how performance improvement teams work.

There are a number of factors that can affect the overall results that a performance improvement team can have. Some characteristics of successful teams show that they are highly customer focused and empowered to do what is necessary. They use formal problem solving and performance improvement tools, techniques and processes, and they share best practices in order to leverage successes.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the use of performance improvement teams in the workplace is what is in it for the team members? Their involvement on a team is something that at first may be seen as just another extra thing to do on top of their current workload.

Some of the benefits team members feel they attain by being on a team include greater freedom, personal growth and confidence, improved quality of work life, greater involvement and decision making, and high visibility recognition.

Attend the Aug. 27 Team Quality Showcase event at Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall

Each year employee teams representing all different types of organizations in Southwest Florida showcase their performance improvement initiatives. In addition to having the opportunity to gain exposure to the business community, the teams compete for the chance to be recognized as the most effective performance improvement team in the area and as such represent Southwest Florida in a state competition.

As an attendee, you will witness firsthand the inner workings of some of the most customer-focused, high quality organizations in Southwest Florida. Bring as many people as you can from your organization so that everyone can see the power and benefits of teams using performance improvement tools and processes. The more people who understand the benefits, the more commitment and success you will ultimately have.

In addition to watching team presentations, you'll be able to meet and talk with the team members in the exposition area, offering further opportunities to glean new ideas and approaches to use in the workplace.

To kick the day off, the keynote speaker this year is Fred Messing, CEO of Baptist Hospital of Miami. Mr. Messing's organization was awarded the Governor's Sterling Award for Quality and is recognized as one of the most effective, high quality healthcare facilities in the state. Baptist Hospital has achieved dramatic results from their focus on continuous improvements. As a part of its continuous improvement program, Baptist Hospital utilizes Continuous Improvement Coordinating Committee and Continuos Improvement teams, in which Mr. Messing is an active participant.

Improved bottom line performance. Increases in customer satisfaction and retention. Enhanced employee effectiveness and morale. Performance improvement teams are almost too good to be true. See for yourself on Aug. 27 at the Team Quality Showcase.

To reserve your tickets or for more information for the Team Quality Showcase, call the Chamber of Southwest Florida at (941)278-4001.

Rorie Wilson's firm, BPM International, is a Southwest Florida-based consulting firm that assists organizations in achieving performance excellence through Total Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction systems.