Teambuilding is one of the fastest-growing areas on the business shelf, as companies look to increase efficiencies and morale. Teambuilding That Gets Results, an easy-to-use guidebook for building effective teams, will increase the strength of any business. Harriet and Linda Diamond offer expert advice gleaned from years of consulting businesses on building strong teams. Topics include: --Building strong, flexible teams --Team assessment --Team models --Stages of team development --Teams that succeed --Teambuilding activities --And more Full of essential advice and activities that businesses can put into use immediately, Teambuilding That Gets Results is destined to become the top teambuilding book on the market.

How to Find the Perfect New Hire? Excerpted from Teambuilding that Gets Results by Linda Eve Diamond and Harriet Diamond © 2006 Creating Networks of People Wouldn't hiring be a breeze if you already had prequalified, fully competent candidates lined up before a position opened? You can, and many business owners, managers, and team builders do. Build your database of viable candidates before you have the need to hire. Those you identify may not be looking and you may not have a position open when you encounter or learn about someone you would like to have on your team. Keep names and contact information (with notes) in a special database of talented people. You might send email updates to stay in touch. If one of those prospective candidates decides to leave his or her present position, you want to be foremost on the job search list. If you have a small job to offer that does not require a potential hire leaving his or her present employment, this gives both you and the hire the advantage of "trying on" the relationship. By building relationships, you create interest and a path for new talent to eventually join your team. Just as headhunters advise employees to always be looking for the next opportunity, so must employers always be on the lookout as well. Search Options "Good help is hard to find" has always been the employer's lament, but "good help"-from experienced professionals to bright, motivated novices-is out there. Where do you find that perfect match for the position? Think outside the classified ad box and consider using a number of resources. Some have fees associated; others do not. Some of the more costly options may be well worth the price, depending on the value of the position you need filled. Consider all options; use more than one. A capable team is the foundation of your business's growth. - Internet Job Search Sites Job sites allow you to post ads, search resumes, and even organize potential candidates. Search by keyword or such distinctions as most recent employer, most recent job description, schools attended, desired salary, location. You can choose level of experience, full time, part time, or per diem, and further limit your results to those seeking employment, internship, temporary contract work, and seasonal work. Your search will bring up full resumes and contact information. Employers pay a fee on most sites, but consider the benefits. - Newspaper Want Ads Newspaper want ads never go out of style and most now have the added dimension of being displayed online. Newspapers also reach people online sources may not. - Internal Postings Consider hiring from within. If your company is large enough to have multiple departments, internal postings can offer welcomed opportunities for change. Even for a small business with a handful of employees, reorganizing responsibilities can energize your team. See chapter 10: "Expanding Your Internal Team" for more about internal talent. - Professional Recruiters Working with a search firm that understands your needs can speed up the process and save you or your employees a lot of legwork, right down to the nitty-gritty of checking references (and, yes, references should be checked). - Employment Agencies Again, the process costs money but saves legwork and a good firm will access talent. Success depends upon your clearly stating your needs and feeling confident that the agency understands them. If it seems as though an agency is taking shots in the dark, move on.You don't have time to waste with unqualified candidates. If you have concerns about the right fit, find one that specializes in your field and has a solid track record. - Temp Agencies Hiring temporary help is a good opportunity to evaluate the fit and skills of a potential full-time hire. Hire a support person to help out or fill in for a week or two, or hire a professional to work on a specific project before