“Wagon-Team“ Up for Success in Business World
By: Daiv Russell

The Industrial Revolution significantly changed the business world. Modern workers have become more specialized, found themselves to be more isolated, and work more impersonally than before. Despite the fact that technology has dramatically increased productivity, long-term business success still requires effective human interaction and collaboration.

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the world of business has changed dramatically. The nature of work for modern workers has become increasingly specialized and impersonal. Although technology has made it possible to increase human productivity, effective human collaboration is still needed for long-term business success.

Although people no longer need to be in the same place at the same time in order for communication to happen, there is still no replacement for in-person physical interactions for building relationships and team cohesiveness. People become more than just impersonal names on email distribution lists. They become partners and members of a team, united in working toward a common purpose. Employees become much more energized and capable of working together to accomplish shared goals.

The competitive nature of the business world means companies must adapt quickly and solve logistical issues creatively. Collaboration allows teams to see and grab opportunities as markets change. Employers who want to increase collaboration use both internal and external opportunities to build team spirit. If workers aren‘t comfortable sharing ideas and contributing to group projects, the team goals will not be aligned and the resulting efforts will be ineffective.

During the growth of a company things becomes more complex. There are many businesses that have looked to pioneering settlers, and the military throughout history for their inspiration. Seeing that people faced logistical and physical changes built quick bonds, developing problem-solving abilities that are critical to a team. Thus people become more motivated to strive for group success.

Opportunities for team building have been adapted from these models to be applicable in the business world. One very interesting and entertaining exercise involves building and driving a covered wagon. Usually you will divide people into groups of 8 to 12 people and have them complete group assignments that are based on issues in the Old West.

Each team must design and build a covered wagon according to certain technical specifications. Each team can also purchase additional supplies within their allotted budget in order to build their wagon. The same rules, limits, and specifications apply to each team. They may also need to create a team flag and camp song. After completing their wagons, teams will then compete by racing their wagons.

While doing so, team members must practice communicating, risk taking, exercising leadership, and working in tandem. They all get to practice problem solving in a group setting. People get a safe opportunity to learn to trust their teammates as they define roles and responsibilities to accomplish group challenges. The accompanying adrenaline rush from the exertion and novelty of testing physical limits in that manner is also chemically conducive to feelings of group camaraderie.

The benefit of team building activities is a more cohesive group of workers. During the activities, people are pushed out of their comfort zone and helped to push past limiting fears and mental barriers. In a safe environment, coworkers work together to become a cohesive team that is innovative and highly successful. Team building exercises can bond people in a company across departments. These exercises can also build links between a business and its partners and vendors. The skills developed in team building exercises overflow to the work environment making employees feel motivated and secure in group endeavors to reach shared goals.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Daiv Russell is a marketing and management consultant with www.EnvisionSoftware.com/“>Envision Consulting in Tampa, Florida. Find more www.team-building-ideas.com/“>Team Building Ideas, techniques, and exercises or learn more about finding the www.root-cause.info/“>root cause of your organization‘s teamwork issues.

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