Business Teamwork - Learning to Play Nice on the Business Front

Team building activities are no longer for school or sports events alone. No, they have in fact found a home in the world of business teamwork as well and quite successfully. In training classes around the world, instructors have begun using non traditional methods with positive results. What's this? Trivia questions as part of the curriculum? Why yes, indeed! Chair races with a relay aspect? Absolutely! These "events" create a bond of friendship between the team mates that translates to their later shared activities in the main arena of the business.

Another commonly practiced approach is the common denominator of our culture... food! Food brings families together, conflicting parties together and everyone in between as we gather to share the bounty set before us. In this tradition, some groups whether in the training setting or already set within their chosen departments, will hold potluck luncheons. This allows everyone the chance to get to know each other little better, socialize a bit, and share foods that may be their own personal recipes. You have once again created a bond that will show itself in future group settings.

This is only a few of the ways in which to aid in your business teamwork's development. Whether you go the traditional means of training and work trips, or the less traditional as highlighted above, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone or to take others there with you. The working relationship that is forged with an honest heart and given the old college try is much more likely to result in forming the cohesive team you desire. Lay out the plan by which you wish to play by; just don't forget to allow for human input along the way.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.