Making the company’s “team” work isn’t a simple process. Like anything else in life - including the big football game - it takes time, planning and energy to find long-term success. But once you’ve put the initial effort into place, the process becomes simpler and the results are greater for the duration.

In order to make this happen, there are several points I stress to managers:

• Cover all the bases - Hire and train in order to have all the necessary skills available to the team. Capitalize on the natural talents of every team member while developing additional skills to help the team. A team that can score but can’t defend is in for a long, hard game.
• Make sure everyone knows the rules - If the player doesn’t know - and understand - the rules, it’s tough to help the team. Be careful about using words such as “big,” “more,” “less,” and “often.” What you evaluate as “often,” someone else may see as “rarely.” The most effective teams have rules, clearly understand them, and enforce them.
• You can’t win all by yourself - Whether your job is coach, quarterback, or tight end, you can’t do it by yourself- no matter how good you are. The best teams are made of players that do their job and fill in wherever and whenever necessary in order to win the game. You don’t hear, “It’s not my job” at the Super Bowl.
• Have a game plan - Run up the score? Stay with the pack? Break ahead early? Save the secret weapon for the last quarter? What’s your team’s strategy? Better customer service? Safety above all else? On time, on budget, on target? Make sure your entire team understands the game plan - and understands that it will change with the industry.
• Call a time out - To many companies, a time out comes in the form of an annual performance review. However, the most successful businesses know that the time out is a strategic move to evaluate the current situation and modify the game plan based on the most up-to-date information.
• Learn from past performance - After the big game, the first team meeting is spent evaluating the team’s performance- and sizing up the next challenge (next week’s opponent). Now is not the time for thin skin. Everyone on the team has a responsibility to know his/her strengths, improve his/her skills, and contribute to the team’s success. Get ready to tell and be told.
• Celebrate - No victory is complete without a celebration. Whether it’s throwing a cooler of Gatorade over the coach, toasting with champagne, or sharing a victory pizza, take time to savor the victory and give credit where credit is due.

Remember, success ultimately comes as a result of solid execution of a game plan, whether in the office or on the football field. However, it’s the planning - and follow-through - of that plan that is the key to that success.