Iron Sharpens Iron
Recently, we brought all our teams into the Traver Technologies headquarters in Houston, Texas, for an event we call Blackout. Blackout is a regularly scheduled event at which we all get together to share ideas, challenges, solutions, victories…and even defeats. During Blackout we spend time growing our business so we can help you grow yours. I know what you’re thinking, “Meetings. Oh, how I love meetings.”
This month, I’m not writing about the meeting; rather, the work that is done when a team comes together to grow. In our beloved automotive industry, we very often find ourselves running at wide open throttle trying to accomplish the tasks and activities of daily life. If you’ve read Stephen Covey, you’ll recognize this as “Quadrant One” activities. Many in dealerships don’t get the chance to spend much time in “Quadrant Two” where development and growth occur.
The no-so-obvious question is simply: what would happen if you did? What could you accomplish if you got your team together and let them flex their collaboration and creative muscle? I watched as our company first defined opportunities and problems as a whole, then split up into small teams and solved them. Within hours we had several new solution sets that I believe will help you grow your business. Many of you will see the fruit of these ideas in the coming weeks and months.
Here are a few thought starters to help you stoke the fires of collaboration and the foundry of creative ideas:
Finding Opportunities
The first step in growing your organization is to define the opportunities. You need a clear objective to achieve and you must be able to measure your progress towards the outcome. This first step is a critical element that gives your team a sense of purpose and common goals. Gather your team and “brainstorm” about process problems, business opportunities, efficiency deficiencies and anything else that is either holding your organization back or an untapped opportunity.
Remember – you don’t have to solve the problem in this stage; you just need to uncover the opportunities for growth. It has been my experience over the years that people love to contribute on this one. Everyone loves to voice their opinions on what is working and what is broken. Encourage your team to be open to hearing anything without taking any of it personally.
Solving Problems
One of the most satisfying activities a team can do is problem solving. Once the problem has been identified, solving it creates team unity and a strong sense of accomplishment. There are several ways to engage problem solving and each has a place in your tool-box. Obviously, you could attack a problem head on with all your resources and in many situations, this is the best option. A few other options:
Small Groups – Dividing your team into small groups is an excellent way to solve complex problems. By breaking up the larger body into smaller units, you allow team members to contribute more and provide the more “shy” members with a less threatening size.
Task Force – A variation of the small group theme is to divide into small “task force” groups that are assigned a specific task or problem to solve. This will allow the team to focus on just one problem or issue and can therefore be extremely productive and provide quick results. When solving complex problems, this method allows you to break the problem into components and have each team work to solve their assigned piece while others complete their assignments. This has the effect of dramatically shortening project time compared to a linear approach.
Competition – Yet another variation of the small group method is to place members into competitive groups with the same objective. By allowing each group to work the same problem, you may get a handful of creative solutions that may not have been fostered if the entire dealership worked together at once. Speed is also gained in this model as each team presses themselves to beat the other teams or to be the first to present their idea to the group. Competitive teams work particularly well in the automotive industry given that most folks in the car business have an inherent competitive spirit.
Creating Solutions
Once you’ve solved the problem(s), don’t forget to craft that solution into a workable and repeatable plan. The likely reason you began down the road of bringing the team together was to find ways to grow your business by improving people, process or technology. Challenge the team to create positive change from the work they’ve done and ensure there is a solid implementation plan complete with milestones, metrics and objectives.
Solutions may also take the form of new products and services. Your team(s) may discover an untapped market or a customer need that is going unfilled. Developing a revenue generating solution may place your organization at the leading edge of the industry and drive untold growth to your doors.
Honest Coaching
Bringing your team together also provides you with an opportunity to share honest coaching with each other. Leadership can coach management and management can coach the team. Keep in mind that coaching is a two-way street. One must be not only willing to give it, but to get it in return. That means you must establish an atmosphere under which everyone feels comfortable giving and receiving, and everyone is coachable by anyone else. We have worked hard to create that culture here at Traver Technologies and we protect it by using it frequently. If Deborah, our excellent receptionist feels that Mr. Traver needs to be coached, she is fully empowered to do so and I personally know that John would be open, listen and grow from the experience. Create that culture and watch your team grow.
In the end, collaborative growth meetings will only be as productive as you make them. Used for the right reason and at the right interval, these “idea sessions” will allow your organization to be world class and leading edge. Contact your Solutions Manager for more ideas on how to inspire and create change through teamwork within your organization.
