SPG Blog

Managing Teams Versus Developing Teams

A well-managed team can function adequately in an organization but a well-developed team can become a powerful asset. A developed team has the support and vision of organizational leadership partnered with highly skilled contributors who are effectively utilized in a creative and collaborative environment.

Developing a team takes care, patience and a willingness to allow lively discussion and occasional differences of opinion among team members. Most often, the team that allows full participation of all team members will come up with the strongest and best solutions. A decision is inherently stronger when team members bring a variety of perspectives to the team and share those perspectives freely and safely. Although it takes time to develop a synergistic and powerful team there is a great payoff. (more…)

Pep rallies, team songs and cheerleaders seem to work in the world of sport. But in the world of business the need to analyse risk, recognize opportunity and anticipate change has sharpened our critical thinking and problem solving skills to a fine point. That leaves little room for team spirit and lots of opportunities for accidental jabs and pokes. What suffers, in the end, is the morale and productivity of the team. Team members can feel hurt, criticized, and vulnerable. As an entity of its own, the team itself will lack a confident, respectful, harmonious voice. (more…)

It was a trade show exhibitor’s dream. When it’s all over, we were told, just leave your cardboard boxes, extra flyers, skids and other construction waste, plastic wrappers and bags behind. No pangs of “green guilt” were necessary; we were assured that the cleaning department would collect and properly recycle everything. (more…)

This recipe is a family favourite in the home of our CEO, Melanie Parish, but is also popular with guests who have been known to admit admiringly (sometimes with mouth full),”I’ve never tasted anything like it!” Melanie recently served it to staff who had stayed late to help with new employee interviews. It was a fast, flavourful meal that saw us through to the last candidate! The recipe originally came from Melanie’s daughter’s Montessori teacher, who prepared the soup for a kindergarten World Food Day. It tastes fantastic with fresh multi-grain bread. (more…)