When working in a startup environment, there are typically fewer staff and fewer resources but still plenty of work tasks to get done.
The more efficiently a team is able to work together, the faster the company can progress. Team building to facilitate better communication and efficiency is key for successful startups.
Here are 5 of the ways you can improve team building in your startup.
Virtual training
Working in a startup can involve a lot of learning by doing but sharing knowledge is crucial for company progression. Staff who are fully trained feel more comfortable and confident in the work that they are doing and are more likely to get the job done better and faster so it is important to invest time and resources into initial training.
In addition to training staff members to do their required tasks, investing in personal development training for employees can also be a great way to improve team building.
Not only does it create more enthusiasm and motivation by letting staff know that you care about their personal development, it can also allow them to evolve their personal communication skills – all of which will enable better teamwork between different staff members (source: Purpose Group). Depending on what the company in question is, however, it may not be possible to utilise virtual training, and this will of course need to be taken into account.
Share positive news
When there is so much work to get done, it can often create the sensation of all work and no play. Making sure to acknowledge positive news and share it with the rest of the company can be a good way to boost morale among the team. People like to feel acknowledged and recognised for the work they do so taking time to acknowledge different contributions can help team members feel appreciated.
However, this also extends to non-work related news items. Good news can stimulate people’s moods so encouraging positive information to be shared will help encourage positive talk and positive mentality around the workplace. Messaging about the good stuff going on in the world and focusing on the positive can create a happier work environment and help people look forward to going to work.
Encourage people to share their stories
Startups typically have smaller teams which is a great opportunity for team members to get to know each other. Encouraging team members to share their stories can help facilitate better relationships and better communication. It can establish commonalities between staff whether it’s a love of cats or a passion for running. Create a platform for people to share a bit about themselves including what they were doing before – they may be able to offer a unique perspective or skill that could help someone else in the company.
Sharing stories not only helps individual team members feel valued and a part of something bigger, but it also encourages thoughtful listening from other team members – all of these skills will help improve team building in a startup environment. Giving people this platform to share will help staff feel more connected and comfortable and makes it more likely that they will share any issues that may arise in the future so that they can be dealt with before becoming a problem.
Regular check ins
Checking in regularly, be it as a company wide-meeting or between certain members of staff, allows for constant communication. Knowing that they have this platform, staff will feel reassured that they have somewhere to raise any concerns and speak to someone as needed. It also enables stronger relationships between employee and manager which helps them work together more effectively.
Get the team together
Giving staff the opportunity to get together away from the office is a great way to boost staff morale, encourage better relationships and improve team building. These fun days are a break from routine and involve participation from everyone (source: Topgolf). It encourages people to share ideas which can improve individual confidence – something which can then be taken back to the workplace. Above all, getting the team together on a work outing creates precious memories for your team members that will make it more enjoyable to work together in the future.
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