Operation Basics of an Effective Team

Team Development Sessions

Organizations develop work teams because they believe in the value of collaboration, brain-storming, and team members sharing experiences and expertise. When these activities are done well, a team can create excellent services and products. We all know, though, that teams can run into process and human distractions that take away from the end results. The sessions that follow teach team members and leaders positive ways to handle these disruptions to success.

We believe that teams and team members develop as they make decisions together and hold each other accountable. During our sessions, every time a team makes a decision or agrees on a norm, it becomes operable from that moment on. With our help, teams quickly learn how to operate effectively and are better able to transfer the learning to the daily work environment.

The following sessions are completed in one day or two half days. Each session is customized for the specific needs of the client.

Introduction to a Team Environment

Basic introduction to a team environment and the variety of organization team designs that exist across different industries. The benefits of teams are explored, as well as the potential pitfalls in some team cultures. Any company considering using teams more in the future or presently experiencing team issues would find this session helpful. A leader will leave this session with an execution plan including team structures and necessary team development activities.

Team Development Basics

Provides all the elements needed for a team to operate effectively. As team members complete this session together, they interact to embed each element into the team's daily life. At the end of the session, the team will have agreed to a purpose, future state, norms, clear roles and responsibilities, and next steps.

Productive Team Meetings

Describes a five-step process for successful meeting planning and execution. Team members learn "how's" and "what's" of productive meetings and how each team member contributes to a successful meeting. All team members attend this session together so they can positively support the meeting planning process.

Operation Basics of an Effective Team

Deals with the daily operations of an effective team. Topics, such as communication, problem solving, decision making and handling conflict, are discussed and practiced. Team members learn models for each topic and gain confidence in using tools to guide them.

Successful Self-Managing Teams

Enables an effective team to take the next step toward self-management. A self-managed team can effectively run a segment of the business with minimal supervisory support. Team members are knowledgeable about the business and about how to run the business. This advanced team manages its supplier relationships, manages its financials and metrics, manages its appraisals and development activities, and manages its customer relationships. Every team member participates in the leadership structure and accepts accountability for the success of the team (usually a 2-day session).

Survey of Work Team Effectiveness

Evaluates fifteen dimensions of team effectiveness, such as Strategic Alignment, Decision Making and Problem Solving, Work Process, Trust and Openness, Change Readiness, and Leadership Support.

Client Recommendations:

"For the last 18 years I have worked with Dan Fenn. He has gained my respect and appreciation as an excellent trainer with small and medium-sized groups (up to 40 and 50 people). Dan has expertise in team development, group process and dynamics, and collaborative interest-based negotiations. Dan is respected not only by me, but by others with whom he was worked."
-- Union Coordinator --

Fenn & Associates

Building Teams One Person At A Time