Team Building

I read with interest Howard Shore of Activate Group's 15 ideas to provide long-term employee engagement and motivation on YoungEntrepreneur.com's Entrepreneur University today.

I was going to just share Shore's list with you, but thought you might find more value if I provided associated small business case studies from our Library of team building and employee engagement strategies and best practices. This way you can see how each idea has been successfully implemented and what you might want to adapt for your organization.

Here goes...

1. Create a clear vision. Identify the organization’s mission and goals, and make sure that everyone understands the rationale behind them and how they contribute toward achieving them.

On WinningWorkplaces.org see: Clif Bar, Berkeley, CA

2. Clearly communicate departmental objectives, and solicit input from your employees on what they can do to help achieve them.

See: Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group, Santa Cruz, CA

3. Make an effort to compliment each of your direct reports on at least a weekly basis.

See: Presbyterian Homes, Evanston, IL

4. Make employee development and retention a primary objective of each manager and leader and reward their success accordingly.

See: Gentle Giant Moving Company, Somerville, MA

5. Ask employees for advice in areas where they have expertise.

See: Point B, Seattle, WA

6. Involve everyone at all levels in the goal-setting and planning processes, particularly if they are responsible for the results.

See: ATA Engineering, San Diego, CA

7. Let people know what is expected of them, and do everything you can to make them successful.

See: Phelps County Bank, Rolla, MO

8. Develop a “servant leader” attitude, and be there for your people rather than having them there for you.

See: Headsets.com, San Francisco, CA

9. Treat everyone with dignity and respect.

See: Barclay Water Management, Watertown, MA

10. Stand behind your employees and back their decisions.

See: Lundberg Family Farms, Richvale, CA

11. Show the courage to let your employees learn from their mistakes.

See: Thoughtworks, Chicago, IL

12. Take time to listen carefully to other people’s interests, opinions, concerns, and goals.

See: SC Johnson, Racine, WI

13. Meet individually with your employees; help them clarify their personal goals and values; and assist them in identifying the skills they need to achieve their goals.

See: Gateway Title Agency, Brecksville, OH

14. Find ways to enrich the jobs of your employees by increasing their authority or span of control.

See: Emmett's Tavern & Brewing Co., West Dundee, IL

15. Encourage employees to expand their comfort zone.

See: C.D. Moody Construction Company, Lithonia, GA

What do you think of Shore's list? Of my picks for related small biz case studies? What's truly actionable here in your mind? I welcome your comments.