As a Project Manager, your success depends on how well your team performs. So if you want to improve your team performance, then read these:
10 Tips for Boosting Team Performance
There are lots of different ways that you can boost your team performance. We've listed here our Top 10 Tips. We hope they help you...
Tip 1: Show them the vision
People only perform well in a role if they understand what it is that they need to deliver and why. For this reason, we suggest you get your team together to reinforce the project vision, objectives, timeframes and deadlines. Make your team feel wanted and needed by showing them that the project is critical to the success of the business. You will gain their buy-in and their commitment going forward.
Tip 2: Meet them individually
After your meeting, take each team member aside and tell them what it is that you need from them to help you deliver the project. Make sure they have a clear Job Description and they know how you are going to measure their performance. Ask them how they like to be managed, what motivates them and how you can support them in their role.
Tip 3: Give them room
At this point, you need to back off a little and give them room to perform. And if the pressure increases in your project, you need to give them more room than less. It's hard to do this, but you mustn't over-pressurize them or their performance will reduce, rather than improve.
Tip 4: Count the goals
As you back off, you need to put in place checks to measure their performance regularly. Meet with them individually every month to discuss their achievements, what's outstanding and how they can improve. Make sure you don't “bottle up” your concerns. Instead speak to them openly, keeping constructive at all times.
Tip 5: Be positive
If you're stressed and weary, ease off on your staff. Shouting or being negative will only rub off on them. It's incredibly difficult but you need to be positive, reassuring and supporting them at all times, even if the project is delayed.
Tip 6: Shake hands and pat backs
It's easy to forget to praise your team's successes. So every time you deliver a great quality product, finish a difficult task on time or get great feedback from a customer—congratulate those responsible in your team.
Tip 7: Meet at half time
Get your team together regularly to build a strong team spirit. Get them socializing together, so that new friendships are formed. The stronger the bond your team have with each other, the more likely they will work together as a single cohesive unit and achieve the objectives you have set.
Tips 8: Take time out
Don't be afraid to give team members time off for working hard. By taking time out, it will reduce sick leave, improve motivation and increase efficiency.
Tips 9: Give them what they need
Everyone is motivated by different things. You need to know what motivates every different member of your team. Get to know them well. If you can reward each person differently based on their motivations, then you'll improve their performance every time. This is the hardest trick in the book, but the one that pays the biggest dividends.
Tip 10: Celebrate your wins!
Staff all too often finish a project and move straight onto the next one without celebrating its success. When they do this, they carry their stress and pressure into the next project they work on. So help your team to "start afresh" by celebrating your success at the end of the project.
By taking these 10 tips seriously, you will improve the performance of your team and boost your chances of success.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Improve your Presentation Skills
At some point in your career, you might have to stand up and present to a room full of people. And when you do, you'll find that it's not as easy as it looks. So to help you do it, read these tips and hints to...
Improve your Presentation Skills
Prepare with care
To give a great presentation, you need great preparation. Start, by thinking about your topic and the audience and what they are most interested in. Then list your key points and write down the general structure of the presentation ahead.
If you need to, write down every word that you want to say and memorize it. Experienced presenters don't need to do this. But if you're a little nervous or you're new to presenting, then by writing everything down it will boost your confidence and settle your nerves on the day.
On the day
Take these 5 tips to give a fresh, vibrant presentation:
1. Get a good nights sleep beforehand. Eat a healthy breakfast and try and free your schedule, so you're more relaxed going into it.
2. Before you present, spend 15 minutes going over your presentation.
3. Then concentrate on your breathing for 2 minutes. This focuses your thoughts, relaxes you and gets rid of any nerves.
4. Remember, the open and close of your presentation are the most important parts. So put in extra effort here, to make it memorable.
5. If you forget something or make a mistake, then never stop and apologize. Keep going and try and relax. It will soon be forgotten.
Body Language
It's said that 80% of a successful presentation is about body language, and only 20% is about content. So use these top tips to communicate the right message through your body:
1. Make eye contact with people at all times. Never stare at the ceiling or back of the room as you present, unless the nerves are too much.
2. Appear confident. Use an open stance, stand tall and proud. Smile and let your personality shine. Don't be overly formal.
3. Remember that relaxed body language conveys honesty and openness. So walk around a little and make use of props to hold onto.
4. Vary your voice and use slow, open hand gestures. Never have your hands in your pocket or play with a pen. Move your hands to an open position and then pause for effect.
5. Speak slowly and carefully, but passionately. If you're enthusiastic about the topic, then your listeners will be as well.
Spark Interaction
Encourage interaction with others during your presentation. By having others talk for a few seconds, it takes the focus off you temporarily, to let you clear your head and focus on the key points ahead. Another trick to clear your head is to pause while your team are reading a slide or considering key points you've just mentioned.
Remember, public speaking is one of the hardest things to master. But if you prepare carefully, take it slowly on the day and are enthusiastic about it, then you will deliver a powerful presentation to your colleagues.
Thanks,
Bala
Improve your Presentation Skills
Prepare with care
To give a great presentation, you need great preparation. Start, by thinking about your topic and the audience and what they are most interested in. Then list your key points and write down the general structure of the presentation ahead.
If you need to, write down every word that you want to say and memorize it. Experienced presenters don't need to do this. But if you're a little nervous or you're new to presenting, then by writing everything down it will boost your confidence and settle your nerves on the day.
On the day
Take these 5 tips to give a fresh, vibrant presentation:
1. Get a good nights sleep beforehand. Eat a healthy breakfast and try and free your schedule, so you're more relaxed going into it.
2. Before you present, spend 15 minutes going over your presentation.
3. Then concentrate on your breathing for 2 minutes. This focuses your thoughts, relaxes you and gets rid of any nerves.
4. Remember, the open and close of your presentation are the most important parts. So put in extra effort here, to make it memorable.
5. If you forget something or make a mistake, then never stop and apologize. Keep going and try and relax. It will soon be forgotten.
Body Language
It's said that 80% of a successful presentation is about body language, and only 20% is about content. So use these top tips to communicate the right message through your body:
1. Make eye contact with people at all times. Never stare at the ceiling or back of the room as you present, unless the nerves are too much.
2. Appear confident. Use an open stance, stand tall and proud. Smile and let your personality shine. Don't be overly formal.
3. Remember that relaxed body language conveys honesty and openness. So walk around a little and make use of props to hold onto.
4. Vary your voice and use slow, open hand gestures. Never have your hands in your pocket or play with a pen. Move your hands to an open position and then pause for effect.
5. Speak slowly and carefully, but passionately. If you're enthusiastic about the topic, then your listeners will be as well.
Spark Interaction
Encourage interaction with others during your presentation. By having others talk for a few seconds, it takes the focus off you temporarily, to let you clear your head and focus on the key points ahead. Another trick to clear your head is to pause while your team are reading a slide or considering key points you've just mentioned.
Remember, public speaking is one of the hardest things to master. But if you prepare carefully, take it slowly on the day and are enthusiastic about it, then you will deliver a powerful presentation to your colleagues.
Thanks,
Bala
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