The value of teamwork
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

Hello there, students! Today, we will look at the value of teamwork in an organisation. At the end of the lesson you should be able to evaluate the role of teamwork in the success of an organisation. This topic will involve definition, advantages and disadvantages.

Definition and explanation

Teamwork refers to a technique where people in an organisation come together as a group to pool ideas and to cooperate in order to accomplish certain tasks.

It is often referred to as 'group integration' or 'cooperation'. Teamwork is important if an organisation is to run efficiently. Managers should, therefore, encourage teamwork among workers.

Teams can either be formal or informal.

Formal and informal groups

Formal groups, or teams, are those that are usually created for a special purpose, for example, a board of directors, or a department within a firm. It has a formal structure, a specific objective and an appointed leader.

Informal groups or teams usually come together voluntarily and their purpose is not defined specifically. There are no set rules, although there may be an objective, such as to raise funds for charities. These groups do not directly achieve the objectives of the business.

They are normally formed to achieve objectives that formal groups cannot. The leader is most often chosen by the members of the group. An example of an informal team is a music group.

Teamwork is often adopted when a major project is to be completed. Most teams in a business are formal. Management selects the relevant persons and assigns the tasks. Persons in the team can be selected or grouped according to the following:

Age

This is where all persons of the same age group would be put together.

Common interests

The objectives of each member of the group should be the same and in a business, the goals should ideally coincide with the goals of the business.

Skills or talents

The manager may find it useful to have all the persons in a group with the same ability or aptitude.

Sex

Here, the team may consist of all females or all males.

Common goals

These goals should be in line with the goals of the organisation.

Background, upbringing or race

Where persons exhibit similar social factors, a group can be easily formed.

Where no special factor is used to place persons in a group, the group members are said to be randomly chosen.

Advantages of teamwork

1. The organisation may benefit from the expertise of specialists who may be a part of a group.

2. The morale of the group members will improve and ultimately this will result in increased production and profits.

3. Managerial work load is made easier, if not reduced.

4. Team members get a chance to air their views. This often allows for an increase of creative ideas that will benefit the organisation.

5. Team spirit is promoted; therefore, employee turnover will be less.

6. Output increases and in the end so do profits.

7. There is continuity in the carrying out of projects. For e.g., if a member leaves the team, the project can be continued by the other team members.

Disadvantages of teamwork

1. It takes a lot of time to make decisions and complete tasks.

2. Disagreements often hold up the production process.

3. Team problems can lead to failure and eventually, loss of earnings.

4. The bulk of the work often falls on a few enthusiastic members of the team. Lazy members, who contribute little or nothing, end up earning the praise or other reward given to the entire team.

5. The negative attitude of some team members can filter down through the entire team.

6. It may be difficult to find common meeting times. This may affect the efficiency of the team.

Okay friends. That's it for this week. Next week, I will outline the format of the principles of business exam, and give you some tips.

Remember, the exam is on May 27. Bye for now.

Hervine Gibbons (second right), visual arts teacher, prepares his fifth formers for their school-based assessment. Photo by Michael Lee	Safety first! It is important that you either shorten your tie or take it off during woodwork class, as these Winston Jones High School students demonstratet. Photo by Michael Lee

Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.