Doomed Before the Doors Are Opened

By Gary Marco

The journey to entrepreneurial success is definitely a unique one. No individual can find ultimate success on their own. In order for a new or existing business to reach its maximum potential powerful team work is essential. No individual can know it all. No matter how extensive your education, no matter how well rounded your business experience, no matter how ingenious you are, it is impossible to acquire all the knowledge and wisdom you will need to make your business achieve ultimate success. The only way to continue to achieve at the highest level and "Push The Envelope" is through team work.

Histories most successful leaders learned these lessons centuries ago. All of our most successful businessmen operate in a well thought out, cohesive, goal oriented, sustainable, and positive team environment. I love using sports for analogies. Any sports organization can get lucky one year and have a great season (that's true for business too) but if you look at any organization that has had sustained success and you will find that their executive management, field management, and personnel have been operating in a great supportive team environment. Sure their are exceptions to every rule but by in large successful sports organizations work as a great team at every level. Conversely the unsuccessful ones lack team work and are often times riddled with negativity and conflict.

Without a great team working with you your Business is "Doomed Before the Doors Are Opened."

I think the first step in starting a successful organization is to create a high energy, quality, and very positive "Action" team. I call them "Fire Teams." The phrase Fire Team comes from the military. The Fire Team concept was developed by the military to increase the tactical flexibility for small infantry operations. The Fire Team members experience training and life together bonding to produce a powerful force to use for missions. Teams are usually made up of 4 soldiers. Each solider is trained and cross trained to play specific roles within the team. Studies by the United States Army have indicated that the willingness to fight hard is more heavily influenced by each team members resistance to failure in supporting the other members of the team. Together they can succeed while facing great odds.

The basic makeup of a Fire Team is:

• A "Team Leader." He manages the team to accomplish the mission and keeps the team on task and positive. He is responsible for creating the "Glue" and leads the team building.
• A "Second." Usually an "Automatic" Rifleman. He serves as second in command and provides support to the team. He provides "Cover" or "Fire" for the team.
• A Rifleman who acts as a scout preparing the the team for the "Potentials" that could occur. He is the team member who "Readies" the Fire Team for what is ahead.
• Assistant Rifleman. His job is to carry extra ammunition and "Assist" the members of his team. If a team member is unable to perform his duties the assistant is responsible for filling that role.

All team members are accountable to other team members. They are also responsible for changing roles and/or assisting other team members as need be until the mission is successfully completed.

Wouldn't that feeling be incredible. Having a team of positively charged unstoppable business people driving your venture towards success. This team should be the first priority in new business ventures, when managing new initiatives or strategies, or in cases of organizational or cultural change. You will need to develop a team that is:

• Cohesive.
• Positive.
• "Assist" oriented.
• Confidential.
• Accountable.
• Trusted and trustworthy.
• Goal Oriented and focused on the mission.
• Flexible.
• My unstoppable Fire Team looks like this:
• Me the "Team leader."
• A business coach (my source of positivity, clarity, constructive feedback, "Out of the Box" thinking, and my trusted source).
• A successful business owner (great source for successful business concepts and ideas).
• A CPA (strategic tax and financial planning).
• A business lawyer (strategic tax and legal planning).
• A sales and marketing consultant (strategic and tactical sales and marketing).

I also have a sub-team of experts that I consult with to bounce ideas off. They aren't privy to any internal decisions and I don't share confidential information with them but they are a great source for ideas.

My team knows I have final say but I am very willing to listen to their feedback and ideas. I keep them focused on the mission and they in turn keep me focused on mine. I have the flexibility to add or remove Fire Team members as I find necessary. As an example I have consulted with several different business coaches (based on their specific area of expertise), and several different marketing consultants.

I feel it is extremely important to have a positive, supportive, mission oriented Fire Team working on your behalf. It is also essential to have a coach on your side. Great coaches are your confidential and trusted team member. They help provide unbiased support, clear thinking, positive energy, "Out of the Box" thinking, constructive feedback, goal creation and management, and focus. All are essential in making your project, and in turn your life, thrive and succeed at the highest level.

If you are thinking of starting your own new venture, are responsible for managing new initiatives, or are involved with organizational change you need to develop a great team to help you and/or your organization succeed.

For assistance in building your great "Fire Team" contact Synergy Leadership Solutions at gmarco@synergyleadershipsolutions.com or 513-348-0313.

About the Author - Gary Marco is an expert in Team Building, Business Development & Coaching, Business Start Up Coaching, Entrepreneurial Coaching, Conflict Resolution, and Developing Managers.

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