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Skills and Techniques for Successful Cross-Functional Teamwork

A Three-Hour Module:

Overview:

In many organizations, eight or more disciplines are working together on cross-functional teams to bring a new product to the marketplace, develop a next-generation computer system, design a new layout for a factory floor, produce an important new drug, engineer a complex telecommunications network, prepare a long-term corporate strategy, or implement a procedure to upgrade service quality. This workshop provides specific answers for managers, team leaders and internal consultants looking for ways to increase the effectiveness of their cross-functional teams. The program is based on the results of a recent examination of how organizations in a variety of industries have successful managed this new form of teamwork.

Topics:

• The Effective Team Player: Learn the four types of team players, discover your team player style, and implement a methodology for improving your communication with a diverse group of teammates.
• The Characteristics of an Effective Cross-Functional Team: Explore the competitive advantages of cross-functional teamwork, the obstacles to success and the 12 keys to successful cross-functional teams. Develop guidelines for team effectiveness. Participate in a team simulation that highlights typical cross-functional team issues.
• Action Planning: Assess your team against the benchmark of the 12 keys to effective cross-functional teams using data from the pre-work Survey results and develop an action plan for team development.

Format:

The program's methodology emphasizes action learning. Participants learn about teamwork by working in teams, participating in a cross-functional team simulation, improving their interactions with team members from other functions, and benchmarking their team against 12 "Success Strategies" for cross-functional teams. Each participant receives a hardcover copy of Cross-Functional Teams: Working With Allies, Enemies and Other Strangers, the Parker Team Player Survey, the Survey of Cross-Functional Teamwork and the workshop manual. Pre-work includes a reading assignment from the book and completion of the Survey of Cross-Functional Teamwork.