Things we are Thankful for During the Recession

As a team building company we need to practice what we preach and a recession throws all traditional thinking out the window. 2008 was another record-setting year, one that I think will qualify us for the Inc. 5000 for the third year in a row. In November, things slowed down considerably and we had to make some of the same changes that our clients and competitors were making. We laid off a person, asked another to be part time, re-invented our AP & AR department, released some office space, changed phone systems, credit cards and renegotiated with some of our vendors so that we could ride out the 1st quarter and beyond. It was a team effort from everyone we work with so that we could get through the tough times. Recently the signs of recession appear to be lifting and we need to start to think about life beyond the recession. Before we do that, I wanted to recognize some good things that have come out of this.

When we are busy, things slip through the cracks, shortcuts are taken, internal budgets are exceeded and focus is shared amongst the many priorities that compete for our attention. During the past 6 months we have had more time to train our facilitators, donate our services, develop new programs, spend time with our repeat clients and really put customer service back where it belongs, on the forefront of our operation. We have re-designed programs to better deliver the outcomes of our clients and focused on better ways to give back to the community. Our goals as a company have been less on growth and more on sustainable, smart operations and I think we all have a better sense of appreciation for each other and most of all for the companies that hire us and the work that we do. This will serve us and our clients when the recession is finally laid to rest.

Just the other day I was reading a meeting publication which included team building in the “hot trends” for 2009-10 and rightfully so. We have all been through an experience of a lifetime we are now coming out of it and as one of my colleagues Trent Schumann said in a new Linked in group for team building providers, “Interestingly enough, the companies that were already focusing on employee engagement are doing even more of it. They are using this as an opportunity to increase loyalty and raid their competitors’ disillusioned high performers. As soon as the turnaround happens, they’ll have a dedicated and tuned team ready to take advantage of it, while their competitors will be scrambling to hire and build new teams.”

Teambonding is getting through this economic downturn with patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Judging from the quotes and letters we receive, it is obvious that we are also jelling better as a team. When times are tough people rely on one another more, and that teaches us all a very good lesson about the power of teamwork.