Posted on Jan 13, 2014

6 Examples of Teamwork in Business

It’s well known that when employees work together they can achieve much more than working alone. So what do most companies do?

They form teams.

However, just the forming of teams does not make for a great team. In fact, the very formation of teams (i.e. more than one) creates a new challenge that is contrary to the very nature of teamwork.

Just stop and consider your first thought if you’re part of Team-A and you know there are at least five other teams. I highly suspect you want to know how your team compares to the other teams.

In other words, the forming of multiple teams creates a competitive environment that is contrary to the true value of teamwork.

The Value of Teamwork

Consider the meaning of Teamwork as a differentiating value: the cooperative effort of two or more people for a common purpose or goal.

The secret to effective teamwork is in the last part of this definition, where every person understands the common purpose or goal.

If the goal is to beat the other teams, that’s what the team will aim to achieve.
If the goal is to produce a 12% profit, that’s what the team will aim to achieve.
If the goal is to improve customer satisfaction, that’s what the team will aim to achieve.
If the goal is to profitably grow the business by 10% over the next year, while ensuring a safe and healthy working environment, that’s what the team will aim to achieve.

For teamwork to work well in business, effective leaders have learned to define the common purpose or goal where everyone is included and participating.

Examples of Teamwork in Business

Here are a few terrific examples of how successful companies define teamwork (in rank order of revenues).

HP (technology) – Results through teamwork
We effectively collaborate, always looking for more efficient ways to serve our customers.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) (agriculture) – Teamwork
We believe the best results are achieved when we work together. We are good colleagues; we work hard, support each other, value our differences and strive for our mutual success.
Caterpillar (heavy equipment) – We help each other succeed
We are a team, sharing our unique talents to help those with whom we work, live and serve. The diverse thinking and decision making of our people strengthens our team. We respect and value people with different opinions, experiences and backgrounds. We strive to understand the big picture, then do our part. We know that by working together, we can produce better results than any of us can achieve alone.
ConocoPhillips (oil & gas) – Teamwork
Our “can do” spirit delivers top performance. We encourage collaboration, celebrate success, and build and nurture long-standing relationships.
KKR (investment firm) – Teamwork
Teamwork is at the heart of how we operate. We pride ourselves on our one-firm approach, working proactively and collaboratively across businesses and geographies to achieve the best possible results. We continually look for ways to help one another, no matter the issue or where the opportunity resides. In keeping with this approach, every person at KKR owns equity and shares in our success. We subscribe to the ethos that we can achieve much more collectively than any of us could individually.
Cliff Natural Resources (mining) – Teamwork
Actively involve others in decision-making… know when to take a leadership role and when to be an active member… recognize the value of teamwork and the synergy it creates.

Personally, I think Caterpillar’s definition is superb. But regardless of how a company defines teamwork, one thing remains constant: it promotes the cooperative effort of two or more people to achieve the stated goal.

Teamwork is clearly one of the reasons why all of the above businesses are Fortune 500 companies.