Our strength depends on others!

[Frazer Chesterman]

I was away last week and had some time to read about successful businesses. One of the key factors that appears time and time again is the way business teams work. In modern society we don't often work in isolation and we recognise "two brains are better than one"! The cumulative value of crowds (or groups) was proven in the 19th century. In the current economic climate we need to seek positives from our business structure rather than break those teams up to cuts costs.

Fulfilling a great dream usually means having a great team, and great teams are made up of people with strengths and weaknesses. And who need a strong and caring leader – like the MD of FESPA !! If you don't genuinely care about your team, then they'll sense it and won't stay with you.
In good teams, players extend trust to one another and to their leader. When each member gives freely and bonds of trust develop and are tested over and over, they begin to have confidence in one another. They believe that the people next to them will act with consistency, and commitment. The stronger their sense of belonging, the greater the team’s potential.
All teams will have disagreement, but let's face disagreement and deal with it.

An important key to building a strong team is being open to new and different ideas - not ‘fossilised’ in our approach to change. To remain a successful team you must create an environment in which free exchange of ideas takes place. If people had not been able to challenge things, then we would still be travelling by horse and cart. Remember real Champions don't ease up because they are ahead of the competition, they keep learning and keep fighting together! Competition keeps you sharp.

U2’s Bono says "I would be terrified to be a solo singer, I surround myself with a band, a family of spunky kids and a wife who is smarter than me.... You are only as good as the arguments you get from the team that are around you.

FESPA is fortunate to have a great team, and I believe the strength of your team will determine how you respond to the challenges of today’s business environment.