Episode A.037 Innovation from Teams

Introduction
Even though the new quarter doesn't start until Wednesday, we are jumping into it with both feet. BTW - that is also the theme for July - Being Agile. Two quick reasons for this theme now. First is we are in new territory when it comes to the economy, social factors, government action and how it is affecting our ability to run a profitable business. The second is how it matches with our previous emphasis around building a "Lean Organization'. The difference is simple - Agile is a mindset that uses the principles of Lean to succeed in unstable times.
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Show Objectives
This is bigger than just a show, it is an alternative method of building a business. It doesn't work everywhere - retail operation, restaurant, etc., however if you are in the services business, this might be a great alternative to a traditional structure.

Here is the thought, instead of building processes, writing SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures), and formalizing positions - what if you invested in skills and the ability to function in a project team environment? Basically organized based on skills rather ​than process.

​The following is our out-of-the-box approach to startups that have Agile as a core philosophy.

What You Need to Know
This is a very interesting topic because of both the simple and advanced nature of running an organic (bottom up) organization. No I don't mean tofu and sprouts, I mean instead of investing in structure and processes or running the business on direct supervision of the owner, this approach is how think tanks and R&D departments function. Imagine that your Agile Business runs like a 'Skunk Works".

So what does that mean? How you control the business using 2 methods:

1. Skill Mastery - by position and process
2. Managing Group Dynamics

Skill Mastery by position and process is a topic we are discussed in several shows:

• EPISODE E.023 PEOPLE MEASURES
• EPISODE D.006 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODUCTIVITY & PERFORMANCE
• ​EPISODE B.023 PEOPLE INTERNAL OBJECTIVES

Managing process and results through project (organic) teams is a different proposition. Here are a few of the issues we will cover in this show:

• Group Roles and Dynamics
• Group Development into Teams
• Difference Between Formal and Project Teams

​What You Need to Do
Group Roles and Dynamics

• Process vs Content
• Norms
• Informal Leaders & Deviants
• Significance of Membership

Group to Team

• Stage 1: Sniffing
• Stage 2: Fighting
• Stage 3: Norming
• Stage 4: Performing

Formal vs Project Teams

• Group Duration and Mobility of Membership

Next Show: A.038 Business Models and Design