The marketing team originally consisted of two people in 2009, but has since evolved. Initially, roles were unclear and social loafing was accepted. Proximity hindered synergy and little feedback was provided. Changes implemented included defining roles, increasing diversity, providing regular feedback forums, and fostering collaboration. This led to more cohesion and interdependence. To maintain a self-directed team requires engaging members in goal-setting, empowering decisions, and encouraging creativity through activities. Biannual retreats and an issue resolution process can help empower the team ongoing.
3. Background
2009 Southeast Anesthesiology
Consultants Hired a New Marketing
Director
In Jan. of 2009 Team Consisted of 1
Manager & 1 Coordinator
Team’s Goal: To increase brand awareness
and patient volume
4. Theoretical Approach - System’s Theory
A system is a complex set of relationships among
interdependent components or parts
Interdependent
Open to the Environment
Contains Equifinality
Requires Feedback
Uses Input, Throughput & Output
Utilizes Synergy
5. Methods
Ethnographic Research
My Experience
Question Guide Completed by Long Term
Associate
Interviews With Long Term Associate
6. Observations
There were no task dynamics within the
group
Proximity of team members was a
concern because it hurt synergy
Roles were not clearly defined
Social loafing was expected and accepted
Double loop learning did not exist
7. Observations
The group had no diversity
Very little feedback was provided to the
team
There was very little cohesion – greater
focus on individualism
There was no interdependence
10. Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture
What does all of this mean?
Hostile Work Environment = Unhealthy
Team
11. Task Dynamics
Project Initiation Form Process & Tracker
Weekly Team Meetings
Weekly One-to-One Meetings
12. Proximity & Environment
Open office suite with desks facing each
other
Large conference area for team meetings
No doors
Lots of windows
No fluorescent lighting
13. Define Roles
Clearly Define Team Member Roles
Hire Additional People
Coordination Production
Marketing Specialist for Div. 1 Graphic Designer
Marketing Director Div. 2 External Physician Liaison
14. Social Loafing
1 Team Member Masking for Another
Task Dynamics Provided Valuable Insight
Loafer Fired
15. Double Loop Learning
Used One-to-One Meetings to Explain:
Processes
Marketing Functions
Teach Marketing Principles
16. Diversity
New Hires Added Diversity
40 Year Old Male, Caucasian, Jehovah's
Witness, Divorced, England
38 Year Old Female, Caucasian, Married, 4
Children, Mormon, West & Midwest
28 Year Old Female, Caucasian, Married,
Protestant, NY
31 Year Old Female, Caucasian, Married,
Protestant, NC
17. Feedback
Create Monthly Stakeholder Meetings
with:
CEO
Division Directors
Medical Directors
Providing Forum for Feedback Increased
Positive Department Recognition
19. Reactions – Group Phases
Phase 1: Storming – Change Met with
Resistance
Phase 2: Forming
Firing
Hiring
Phase 3: Norming
Phase 4: Performing
20. Outcomes
Self Managed Marketing Team That Generates
Results
BUT…
Acquisition & Growth Demand More
21. Recommendation to Create A
Self Directed Team
Using Principles from Healthy Teams Model:
1. Engage Team Members in Defining Goals and
Purposes
2. Empower Them to Make Decisions
3. Foster Creativity by Engaging the Team in
Dynamic Activities
4. Continue to Encourage Collaboration and
Autonomy
22. How?
BiAnnual Team Retreats
Team will Define Goals, Purpose & Review
Processes
Empower Through 3 Step Issue Resolution
Process: Define, Describe, Recommend
23. How?
Foster Creativity by:
Increasing Diversity
Unique Activities: Picture notes
Offsite Activities: Recommended by Team
Members
Annual Marketing Conferences