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A united effort has strength. |
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Different Ways to Unite: Coca-Cola has focused on making its worldwide bottling operations more cohesive, building its strength around the larger, stronger partners. |
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Acquisition is another approach to obtaining a stronger united effort. Compaq had that in mind when it jumped from fifth to second largest in computer manufacturing with the acquisition of Digital Equipment. |
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Taking an internally focused approach to coordinated efforts, Tenneco has transformed from a highly diversified conglomerate into a focused global manufacturer of parts and packaging. |
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Dana's reorganization took a different tack as it divided into six strategic business units to allow each to focus strength on a segment. |
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Team Strength: Successful companies spend a lot of time forming small teams with the mobility to maneuver. Five billion dollar giant Illinois Tool Works operates through 365 small, decentralized business units that actively practice teamwork with customers and suppliers. Some may think it is inefficient to break the unit into small groups. So is defeat. |
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Two-time Baldrige winner Solectron is just one of many who has saved billions of dollars with teams focused on process improvement. To achieve these savings, organizations have invested in training people in quality management and teamwork skills. Trained team facilitators are used to enhance team performance. |
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Forming effective teams takes time and training. The most successful teams are those with the best training and leadership. Successful strategic decisions are most likely to be made by teams that promote active and broad conflict over issues without sacrificing speed. The key to doing so is to mitigate interpersonal conflict. Too often, the absence of conflict is not harmony, it's apathy.
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When people are empowered and trained to work effectively in teams, they take ownership of the task; and the entire management process moves from control to commitment. |
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The team structure must be cascaded throughout the organization. Teamwork works only when it is led from the top. When the senior management staff functions as a team, then the stage is set for all other units to operate as teams. |
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