Building A High-Performing Small Business Growth Team

Building a high-performing team is crucial for a small business looking to achieve significant growth. Such a team will be the driving force behind your success, hence it’s important to invest time and resources in selecting and developing the right individuals for the team.

What are the attributes of a small business growth team? How can you adopt a people-focused and result-oriented approach in developing and managing the talents of team members?

What are the pitfalls to avoid in the strive to build your growth team?

Attributes For Building A High-Performing Growth Team For Your Small Business

There are key attributes that are critical in building your growth team. These include:

1. Visionary Leadership

The team needs a leader who can clearly articulate the vision and mission of the business, set ambitious goals and motivate everyone to pursue them with excellence. This aligns everyone with the roadmap of the business, and individuals with the roadmap and individuals know how their work contributes to achieving the end results.

2. Complementary Skills And Expertise

Team members should possess the competence necessary to perform their roles effectively.

Assemble a team with complementary skills to cover the different needs of your business. Each team member should bring unique expertise to the table, which will enable the creation of a versatile and well-rounded group that covers marketing, sales, finance, operations and technology.

3. Open Communication And Strong Collaboration

Open and honest communication is vital for building trust, resolving conflicts and achieving shared goals. Encourage
team members to share knowledge and collaborate among themselves.

4. Adaptability And Resilience

A passion for continuous learning and improvement is important for adapting to change and seizing new opportunities. The team should be able to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and overcome challenges with a positive attitude. It should be prepared to pivot and respond to changes in the marketplace, competitor actions and unexpected occurrences.

5. Passion And Drive

Each member should be passionate about the objective of the business and possess the drive to achieve ambitious goals. Look for individuals who can embrace the mission of the business and are driven to achieve its success.

6. Results-Oriented

While fostering a positive team environment is important, the ultimate measure of success is the ability of the team to deliver tangible results and achieve business goals. The team should be focused on achieving measurable results and holding themselves accountable for their performance.

7. Data-Driven Decision Making

The team should rely on data and analytics to inform its decisions and be able to track progress towards goals.

8. Continuous Learning And Development

Growth-oriented individuals who actively seek new knowledge and skills are valuable assets to any team.

In developing the talents of team members, the business must focus on the following areas:

• Investment In Training And Development: Investing in your team’s continuous learning and development will equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Provide opportunities for team members to learn new skills and improve existing ones through training programmes, workshops, and conferences.

• Mentorship And Coaching: Pairing experienced team members with new hires or less experienced colleagues helps to provide guidance and support.

• Feedback And Open Communication: Creating a safe environment for team members to feel comfortable will encourage the exchange of feedback, which can be used constructively for personal and professional growth. These will help team members in improving their performance and achieving their goals.

• Recognise And Reward Achievements: Celebrating individual and team successes goes a long way in inspiring and raising performance. This will boost morale, motivate members and foster a sense of collective responsibility.

9. Culture Of Ownership

The nurturing of a culture of ownership is also a great way to strengthen the team towards achieving the growth objectives of the business. Initiatives to achieve this would include:

• Empowering The Team: Involve team members in decision-making processes to increase their buy-in and
commitment. Give them the autonomy and decision-making power to take initiative. Provide challenging tasks that push them outside their comfort zones and empower them to take ownership of their work.

• Information Sharing And Transparency: The team should be informed about the performance of the business, the challenges before it and its future plans. Engage the team with regular updates and access to relevant information.

• Encouraging Collaboration And Teamwork: The business should nurture an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, working together and supporting each other. Encourage cross-functional collaboration to break down silos and build a shared identity.

• Recognising Individual Contributions: There should be acknowledgement and appreciation of the contributions that each team member makes towards the success of the team and, by extension, the success of the business.

• Celebrating Team Achievements: Celebrate successes together as a team to build stronger
bonds and a sense of shared ownership. As the manager of your growth team, you must keep your eyes on the ball.
Your strategies should focus on people-driven and result-oriented management:

• Define Clear Roles And Responsibilities: Clarify roles and responsibilities for each team member to foster a sense of ownership.

• Set Clear Goals And Expectations: Clearly define goals, expectations and performance metrics for individual and team contributions. Hold everyone accountable for achieving set goals.

• Delegate Effectively: Delegate tasks and responsibilities based on individual strengths and skills. This allows team members to focus on their areas of expertise and maximise their contributions.

• Focus On Individual Strengths: Identify and leverage the unique strengths and talents of each team member.

• Track Progress And Measure Results: Regularly track progress towards goals and measure results to assess performance, identify areas for improvement and make needed adjustments.

• Provide Regular Feedback: Encourage open and honest communication within the team. Address conflicts or concerns promptly and respectfully. Offer timely feedback to help team members develop their skills and improve performance.

• Celebrate Successes And Acknowledge Challenges: Recognise accomplishments and celebrate successes to boost morale and motivation. Constructively acknowledge and address challenges to maintain focus and overcome obstacles.

Growth Pitfalls To As A Small Business Team

As you drive your team towards achieving the growth objectives of the business, you must avoid the following pitfalls:

1. Inability To Focus

Don’t try to do everything at once. Prioritise your team’s efforts and concentrate on achieving the most important goals.

2. Micromanaging

Avoid micromanaging your team as that can stifle creativity and initiative. Trust the members of your team to do their jobs. Provide support rather than constantly looking over their shoulders.

3. Ignoring Team Dynamics

A dysfunctional team environment can hinder performance and morale. Pay attention to team dynamics and address
any conflicts or issues promptly.

4. Poor Communication

Inadequate communication can lead to misunderstandings, frustration and decreased productivity. Ensure clear and consistent communication across all levels to avoid confusion and lack of clarity.

5. Lack Of Transparency

Share information and involve your team in decision-making processes to build trust and engagement.

6. Unrealistic Expectations

Set achievable goals and objectives for your team and avoid placing unnecessary pressure on them.

7. Ignoring Individual Needs

Pay attention to individual needs and provide support and development opportunities for each member of the team. Treat each team member as an individual and tailor your approach accordingly.

8. Not Measuring Results

Without tracking progress and measuring results, it’s impossible to know whether your team is on track to achieve its goals.

9. Focusing Solely On Results

Results are important. However, remember to value the well-being and development of your team members.

Building a high-performing growth team takes time, effort and commitment. It is a continuous process that requires commitment, investment and ongoing effort.

By focusing on the attributes to strive for, managing the team members, creating a culture of intrapreneurship and avoiding common pitfalls, you can create a group of passionate individuals who are ready and able to achieve remarkable results that will drive your small business to achieve sustainable growth and take it to new heights.

If you need help building a high-performing growth team for your small business, contact us today.

PLUS: Whenever you’re ready, here are ways you can work with us in starting, growing and scaling your business:

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Photo by Mikhail Nilov

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