Forward looking organisations are constantly trying to innovate, exploit new markets or reduce costs, usually within a business environment which is constantly changing.

For an organisation to meet these challenging demands it needs to be able to adapt quickly, whilst still maintaining its strategic direction. This puts a huge strain on individual teams within the organisation, as they grapple with the problems generated by continual change.

As change occurs it is easy to lose focus, with the end point obscured or seemingly unattainable.

Lines of communication then become stretched, differences between individuals are highlighted, and managers find it difficult to maintain necessary control. This results in a lack of motivation and worsened performance, all at a time when the business most needs to improve.

The opportunity for an organisation, therefore, is to win the battle for continued success, through its ability to adapt rapidly as circumstances require, whilst maintaining motivated, aligned and high performing teams – the winning formula.

 

At Lightbeam, we believe that today’s companies need a different type of team approach: where the emphasis is upon building a strong organisation which comfortably embraces individual differences and creates a lasting bond between team members; where the needs of the company are in

balance with the individuals; where leaders feel untroubled providing positive guidance one moment, and letting go the next; where the choice of communication is more about understanding the needs of individuals and less about which technology to use. These beliefs are encapsulated within our Winning Teams framework.

For the individual it’s about passion for their job, mixed with a strong sense of achievement.

For the team, it’s about a mutually supportive environment, where success builds on success, and everyone is valued for the unique contribution they

are recognised to make towards the prosperity of the organisation. It’s about strong leadership, a sense of belonging, and engagement with the aims of the organisation, where everyone wants to be.

 

We offer a progressive series of events and workshops, to transform teams into Winning Teams. To help us to identify and then best target your specific problems, we will first offer you a free Team Diagnostic.

Team Activities

Our team activities actively contribute towards improving team performance - each one is uniquely designed to demonstrate the messages of the Winning Teams Framework. These activities give teams the ability to work together and to have fun, in a targeted way. We currently offer two City Challenges - City Treasure Hunts, and The Team Tower.

At the end of the activity we will elicit feedback about the team's performance and share the appropriate messages of the Winning Teams Framework.

Duration 3.5-4 hours.

Winning Teams Introductory Workshop

An introduction to the more comprehensive Team Development Workshop. First we explore where the team is at present and where they’d like to get to, followed by an overview of the different elements which make up a Winning Team.

This introductory session can be run standalone, or in combination with the Treasure Hunt exercise above - bringing to life many of the aspects discussed in the workshop, and providing an opportunity to put into practice some of the lessons learnt.

Duration 4 or 8 hours.

 

Winning Teams Development Workshop

A comprehensive workshop exploring each of the seven areas of our Winning Teams framework:

The style of the workshop is highly interactive. Each workshop module will include some presentation material, in order to explore good and bad practice. This provides the context for discussion, and results in a plan of action for change which is owned by the team.

The workshop can be run standalone, or in combination with the team exercise.

Suggested duration 2 or 3 days.

Differences are interesting and stimulating, and create a multi-dimensional world. Unfortunately, they also bring complexity which is confusing and time consuming to manage. Here we explore ways to exploit the positive elements, whilst eliminating the negatives.

In a Winning Team the emphasis should be on information needs. So why do we spend so much time talking about the latest technology? In this module we start with an examination of the needs for communication, and end with a review of methods.

 

In this module we examine the benefits to the organisation of a healthy balance between the priorities of life outside and life inside work, and what contribution the organisation can sensibly make.

Initially we explore the difference between management and leadership, and then the additional qualities that transform a good manager into a great leader. Finally, we examine different styles of leadership, and which is best suited to which circumstance.

Successful teams are able to respond rapidly to any difficulty and any new opportunity. In part this is addressed by first-class processes, but it also needs the glue which bonds team members together, and make them act as one - excellent trust and relationships.

Creating a winning team is one thing, but sustaining outstanding performance is something else. In this module we explore the need for continuous renewal, and how to go about it.

To find out more about Winning Teams contact Sue Jennings or Robert Brook on 0115 950 2151 or E-mail us at info@lightbeam.co.uk

Experience

Robert Brook and Sue Jennings each have over 20 years' senior management experience within a well-known, highly successful global corporation. That experience encompasses broad-ranging management theory, in-depth research, and day-to-day management of a variety of individuals and teams throughout the UK, Europe, and the world.

Style

Our emphasis is upon commitment through learning, not teaching. As a result we run workshops, not courses, which are adapted to the particular circumstances of individuals and teams. Within this environment experiences are openly shared, old ways of working positively challenged and actions for improvement agreed and committed.

Enthusiasm

Robert and Sue are passionate about what they do, and believe that the enthusiasm generated, when combined with their extensive management experience, and open learning style, creates the conditions for willing and beneficial change.

Winning Teams Advanced Workshops

Each of the Winning Teams modules can be expanded and covered in more depth. This allow teams to spend quality time exploring areas of interest or concern, and developing a comprehensive set of actions for change for their teams.

In January Lightbeam became a fully accredited Train to Gain Service Provider.

Whilst companies are often aware of Train to Gain as an initiative, they are often unaware that matched funding can also be accessed for development of personnel at management levels in SME's. Train to Gain have expanded their remit to help provide training and development at management level, as quoted in the following article http://www.dius.gov.uk/press/26-11-07.html.

"A massive boost for SME management training – the Train to Gain budget has increased from £4 million per annum to £30 million per annum, which will support some 60,000 key directors and managers in around 42,000 companies over the next three years"

In summary, this means that 50% of the training costs on our Train to Gain accredited programmes below, can be recovered by using the skills brokerage service.

All our Winning Teams workshops are accessible under Train to Gain for qualifying organisations.

How a team is organised is the foundation of the team, upon which everything else is built. We investigate the components of an effective organisation, and the importance of aligning team members to its purpose.