Transform Your Agency With The Team Concept

When working as a team, agencies can easily save money, increase morale, and increase efficiency. Once the decision has been made to start, responsibilities need to be delegated and rotated among all employees. And, finally, a maintenance program must be set up to continue the success of the team concept. Of course, it's not for everyone-however, it just might be the way to go in your agency.

There are many benefits of the team concept. In fact, we really can't think of any disadvantages. Naturally, going with the team concept will eliminate middle management in small to mid-size agencies. That's what it's all about-slimming down expenses to increase the bottom line. Savings in salaries and benefits could be as high as $75,000 per year per employee.

With the disappearance of middle management, agency morale will definitely improve. Every employee will be on the same level-no one above another. Producers are on the same level as file clerks. The agency team works as one group to oversee projects, and review and settle various management issues. Correspondingly, when morale increases, efficiency automatically rises as well. Employees will feel much more confident and important knowing they're all working together toward one goal-the success of the agency.

Conforming with the team concept, all responsibilities of middle management will be delegated to all employees. If the agency is starting a marketing program, assign one employee to oversee the project. Make sure that he or she has the authority to review the progress of each employee's marketing goals and report back to the team.

Nowadays, many agencies are rolling books of business -- again, assign an employee to oversee this project and report back to the team on a weekly basis. Automation issues will be delegated to another person. Each individual will be assigned with specific insurance companies and be charged with reporting any company issues or changes.

It's important to rotate responsibilities every three to six months. In this way the agency will always have a trained backup in all management duties. This delegation and rotation of management responsibilities will, again, increase morale and efficiency, since all employees will feel much more important to the agency's success.

Maintenance is the key to the success of any new program implemented within an organization. The team should continuously monitor the temperature and progress of everyone's responsibilities. Meetings, meetings, meetings: We know no one enjoys attending them, but this is the only way to continue the success of the team! Meet on a weekly basis to check projects. Meet on a weekly basis to review company issues and agency numbers. Meet on a weekly basis to receive reports from team members on their management responsibilities. Lastly, check the 'temperature' of each team member. Are there issues that need to be taken care of? Keep your efficient team running smoothly by regularly monitoring its progress.

Consider the team concept for your agency. Do you have 15 or fewer employees? Do you need to increase your bottom line? Would increasing agency morale increase efficiency? Is there a comfort level within the agency to delegate responsibilities? Would the agency benefit in having a backup for each employee by rotating responsibilities and cross-training? Finally, are agency principals willing to keep the team concept successful by conducting weekly meetings? If you answered yes to every one of these questions, go for it! Implement the team concept-save money, boost morale, and increase efficiency today!