Corporations are finding the benefits of implementing work teams in their organizations. Effective teams can bring about improved productivity, increased job satisfaction, and renewed commitment to the organization. As business becomes more global, virtual teams are being implemented that cross time zones and boundaries. Functional teams of any kind, however, do not just happen; they are carefully designed and supported.
Team Formation
The majority of businesses appoint members to a team based on the individual's skills and the functional area involved. In addition to technical skills, human relations or "people" skills are considered extremely important, although not always addressed. The number of members on a team is determined largely by the company's definition of a team and the team's purpose. As a general rule, work teams are composed of 8-10 members with heterogeneous backgrounds. The careful selection of new hires can improve the effectiveness of teams immensely.