Tag Archives: USA

7 Surprising Facts About Working in Teams

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No man is an island! At one point or another, we’ve all been part of a working team. But today, we’re sharing some team-related facts that may surprise you. Jot these down because we all know that excellent and highly-efficient teams are essential to any builder’s business.

1. The ideal team size is somewhere between 5 and 9

According to studies, the most ideal team size is between 5 to 9 people. Some people assume that any problem can be fixed by adding more people to a team, but the truth is, larger team sizes actually adds more challenges to the project.

2. Too much “good chemistry” actually makes teams less effective

When the members of a team are too comfortable or familiar with each other, the entire team tends to fall into predictable ruts. Having a good working relationship is not bad. But having a team with members that are too similar to each other, or have similar ways of thinking is not good either. For best results, promote diversity in culture and ways of thinking.

3. The most effective teams don’t have “leaders”

A team works best when its members listen and talk in equal measure. If one of the members takes control and starts to dominate the discussion, resentment arises in the other members. Nobody likes a dictator.

4. Managers are still important though!

However, since diverse teams tend to get more creative, they do need a manager whose full-time job is to facilitate discussions and help the entire team to work together in harmony.

5. Small teams will outperform solo geniuses

It’s the same concept with basketball. A team with 5 members who are all in top-notch shape and performance will likely outperform another team who relies on just one superstar player. Brilliant people work best when working with others, especially when they are all equally brilliant.

6. Creative abrasion is a good thing

Teams thrive best when there is a bit of creative abrasion. By this we mean, healthy conflict. It’s a good sign when there are a lot of great ideas flying around. You just have to ensure that these conflicts don’t get personal and that each side gets to point out their reasons and rationale.

7. Mixed-age teams are better than that with a homogenized age range

Despite the stereotype that youthful energy trumps all practical business experience, having a mixed-age team is actually more ideal. This way, you will get people with various work experiences, skill sets, and ways of thinking. It’s a great way to start that delightful creative abrasion.

Remember, on top of all these, there should always be good communication among your team members. Regardless of team size, age, or skill set, without good communication and proper work delegation, the team will crumble in the blink of any eye.

Want to ensure that your team communicates well regardless of location and inspire of a hundred deadlines? Check out SAM and VIC today.

Builder Tips: The Truth About Project Management

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Effective project management doesn’t have one basic template. Each project involves a hundred little adjustments from your usual approach. Today, we’re debunking some of the most common project management myths and shedding light on the best ways on how to go about your business.

Fact: It’s not all about processes

A lot of newbie project managers mistakenly compare project management to a computer that’s all about processes and algorithms. Based on experience, we know that this isn’t true.

In fact, project management is mostly about people. It’s about people management, client servicing, and conflict resolution. So yes, while methodology is very important to any initiative, it’s just part of the responsibilities.

Team work and soft skills are a must too.

Fact: Remote collaboration can be productive
Work mobility is absolutely essential to good project management. The advancements in technology today make remote collaboration completely possible. Did you know that in a recent survey, 37% of businesses report that their remote workers are more engaged than the ones in the office?

Also, 75% of bosses report that remote employees are much happier than those who don’t have that option. And here’s a whopper, remotely working actually increases performance by 13%!

Fact: Project management is NEVER just about paperwork.

Executing and organizing a project is more than just securing permits, creating timetables and making checklists. The fact of the matter is, project managers spend 90% of their work time communicating. 

Did you know that you can cut down as much as 10% of working hours by reducing paperwork, moving your projects to the cloud, and using project management software?

FACT: Frequent meetings are not that essential

Make the most of your time. Did you know that 47% of workers consider meetings one of the biggest time-wasters in the workplace? People arriving late, waiting for everyone to settle down, unnecessary chitchat here and there, all of these add up to hours of time that could have been spent being productive. If an actual face-to -face meeting is a must, keep it short and sweet.

Project management is one of the trickiest jobs out there, but it can also be the most fulfilling. Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a project that’s been executed to perfection. When you see your clients’ smiles, everything will be worth it!

Click here to know more about how Project Management has gone paperless.

5 Reasons Why Planning & Scheduling are Important

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The Two Go Hand in Hand

A smart business owner knows that planning and scheduling are crucial to success. In fact, these two activities form the basis for almost all processes and activities in the company. That’s why it’s important for you to take the time to learn why exactly these two are important to any builder who wants to level up.

Planning and scheduling go hand in hand. They need each other in order to achieve maximum results. Planning may involve creating a business plan, setting goals for the year, or listing down tasks that need to be done. When you plan, you map out your next course of action.

But of course, step two involves setting a timeline. It’s not enough to identify what needs to be done. It’s equally important to figure out when these things need to be accomplished. This is where scheduling comes in. When we talk about scheduling, we’re dealing with specific dates and specific timeframes.

So for planning and scheduling, it’s all about laying out the what’s, the how’s, the why’s, and the when’s.

Now let’s look at the benefits:

1. Goals Become More Achievable

It’s easy to say that you want your revenue to double. But we all know that it’s far easier said than done. However, if you’re prepared with a solid plan and a realistic schedule, your goals will suddenly be more tangible. Now you can see the exact baby steps needed to get to your destination.

2. It Keeps Your Costs Down

Planning and scheduling allow you to stick within a budget. This is especially true for builders who deal with different types of personnel- some of whom are on a contractual, weekly, or even daily wage. Without a careful plan and timeline, you will definitely go over-budget.

3. They Prepare You for Unexpected Problems

A good plan should also identify the possible risks and challenges. When you’re properly organized, it’s easier to predict the problems that may pop up during a project. Thus, it’s much easier to craft contingencies.

4. Everyone is on the Same Page

With a carefully crafted plan and schedule, you can get every member of your team on the same page. Expectations are clear and roles are clearly defined. Each team and team member knows when their part begins and ends. Target dates of completion for each segment is disseminated to everyone. Basically, everybody knows their part. This means less stress for you!

5. Progress is Easier to Track

Once you’ve determined your goals and tasks, together with its corresponding schedule, it’s easier to determine where your company currently stands. Progress tracking is possible since you now have benchmarks to compare with.

Planning and Scheduling Made Easy

We know that planning for each project, let alone planning for the entire company can be a very daunting task. And let’s face it, scheduling and getting everyone synchronized can be a pain. That’s why we’re making it easier for you with SAM- The Superintendent’s Automated Manager.

Try it today for free, or maybe watch our online tutorial first. Either way, there’s plenty to gain, and nothing to lose!