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In any workplace, forming a strong team to work together to achieve a common vision, project or goal is a huge advantage. If you’re a team leader, or manage a team, here are 10 ways you can improve teamwork in your workplace: 1. Act as a guide: Every team needs a great leader who’s willing to guide the team in working and making decisions collaboratively. The team leader must also be committed to reaching the team’s goals and have strong communication skills to be able to share their passion and vision for success. 2. Make every team member feel valued: Success as a team can only come when each team member is aware of the importance of their role in the team’s success. Involve all team members by sharing any available information relevant to the goal/project and any deadlines. Assign them with responsibility for specific goals/outcomes and reward all members of the team for achieving them. 3. Set increasingly challenging team-based goals: Each time the team reaches a goal, set a more challenging goal for them to achieve to encourage team members to stretch themselves and learn from and build on their previous successes. Recognise the team for meeting the challenge and openly discuss how their team effort led their achieving the goal. 4. Incorporate team-based problem solving into staff meetings: At each team meeting ask every team member to share a project or task they might feel stuck on, or challenged by, and request that other team members give feedback, provide some mentoring and share their ideas to help resolve the dilemma or impasse. Encourage team brainstorming of solutions. 5. Facilitate conversation, idea-sharing and team brainstorming: Where possible, set up work areas where team members can get together to easily share ideas, brainstorm or discuss progress on goals/projects. Open office environments don’t always work, so this might mean allocating certain rooms, or even outdoor spaces in the workplace, where team members can work together. 6. Encourage teamwork on projects: Develop a protocol that requires team members to work together on projects. For example, before any important document or plan is finalised, ensure that more than one team member has been responsible for creating, reviewing and giving their feedback on it. 7. Discuss team dynamics on a regular basis: Encourage open communication in team meetings about the team dynamic - for example, talk specifically about what’s working well and what could work better. Use this as an opportunity for team members to discuss how they can work more effectively as a team, but never to whinge or criticize one another in front of other team members. Also encourage conversations reflecting on what has enabled positive achievements as a team. 8. Welcome comments, questions and suggestions from all team members: Great ideas and improvements can come as a result of asking what might seem to be ‘dumb’ questions or looking at a situation from a completely different perspective. Be open to and encourage input from every team member. Be supportive of new ideas and, as a team, work through all ideas and weed out any that won’t work. 9. Provide ongoing coaching, training and mentoring opportunities and support to team members: Giving team members ongoing learning opportunities and building both individuals’ skills and team skills encourages people to grow and stretch their capabilities. Assign mentors where possible to team members and encourage leaders and managers to develop coaching skills to use within their teams. Or, hire an external professional coach to work with the team leaders, managers, or individual team members, to further develop specific competencies. 10. Recognise and reward good teamwork: Look for ways to acknowledge and consistently reward good teamwork. Also be quick to discipline any team member who engages in gossiping about, bullying, or back-stabbing other team members. Let it be known that your organisation will not condone any negative interpersonal behaviour. 10. Recognise and reward good teamwork: Look for ways to acknowledge and consistently reward good teamwork. Also be quick to discipline any team member who engages in gossiping about, bullying, or back-stabbing other team members. Let it be known that your organisation will not condone any negative interpersonal behaviour.

Social media has radically transformed the way communication works in all aspects of life, especially in the workplace. If you’re running a business, opting out is not an option. Effective social media use is an indispensable tool for building a customer base, so if you aren’t using social media strategically and consistently, you’re already behind the competition. Don’t worry, it’s not too late! Here are four mistakes to avoid as you get back on track. Going In Blind Going into social media management without a concrete idea of what you want to accomplish will result in confusion, poor time management, and a lot of unnecessary stress. Getting started can be overwhelming, so if you’re unsure of where to start, consider hiring a social media consultant. According to Entrepreneur.com, “A social media consultant is essentially the eyes, ears and voice of your company online.” Check out the rest of that article for essential questions to ask when hiring a consultant. Getting your team social media savvy is a smart investment, A lot of steps should go into your overall plan, but by addressing those steps and sticking to a schedule, you’ll start getting on track. Do you want to use Facebook for advertising, Twitter for outreach, Instagram for building company culture? Ignoring Your Audience One of the biggest mistakes you can make is ignoring exactly who your audience is. If you are reaching out to a demographic that isn’t ideal for your product, or worse, aren’t considering your audience at all, you’re missing out on hundreds (or even thousands) of potential clients. A good way to tackle your approach to audience is working to find a solid voice for your company. You can do this through reflection on your company culture, your values, and your favorite buzzwords. You’ll want to be specific here; Cori Padgett of Copy Blogger says “Lack of purpose is the death of success. When you write something that has a clear cut purpose it’s reflected in a positive way. There is flow, there is rhythm and there is direction.” By developing this distinct voice, your business will draw like mind customers and your social media will reflect that. Inconsistent Posting The fastest way to get your social media use back on track is to set a schedule and stick to it. Be realistic in your expectations; if you know you won’t be able to post more than once every two weeks, that’s fine for now. Choose a day and time, and work to get your content out consistently. As Vital Marketing explain in their article “Why it is Important to be Consistent with Your Content Creation,” “If you publish content rather infrequently, it’s easy for your audience to tune out…You can’t expect people to stick around and wait for new content if you don’t already have an established reputation of regularly developing high-quality content.” This makes sense; your audience is inundated with constant information, and you can’t afford NOT to start out strong. Make it worth their time. Taking It (Too) Public One of the best things about social media is that you can instantly connect with clients, which leads to problem solving on the fly and quick feedback. This can turn ugly, however, when a disgruntled customer takes to Twitter instead of your email to blast what they perceive as bad service or content. It only takes one furious client to spin out into a firefight, which looks unprofessional. It’s important to stay honest online and not delete all feedback, but if the comments you’re receiving are leaning closer to crazy than constructive, the professional thing to do is to get it off your main page and take it to email, a phone call, or DMs (direct messaging). By personalizing your approach and directly asking how you can fix their problem, you can more often than not win the customer over. That being said, some people just won’t be reasoned with, and there’s a point where you have to step away from the keyboard and stop responding. Salesforce cautions in an article dealing with “trolls”, “However, as social media is a highly visible, public forum, commenting once to the effect that what they are saying is inaccurate and unfair (and providing the facts to support this) will at least give other viewers the true picture.” After that, step away and focus on making your work better, not on the one unreasonable Twitter fight. Moving Forward By making and sticking to a plan, finding your audience, sticking to a plan, and knowing when to tackle criticism, you will be on the fast track to dynamic social media marketing. Knowing what NOT to do is a great starting place for a growing business; now your social media can grow with you.

Interviewer: What St. Mary's Rubbers' all about ? Mr. Varghese : The company is a manufacturer of surgical gloves with over 4,50,000 pairs being made per day consistently for the past four years. The company was established in Kerala by Mr. Sunny Jacob in 2013. Interviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Varghese : Currently, the company is seeking to advertise extensively through all regions in India and make their brand name felt in each one.

Many people start businesses because they want the freedom to be their own boss. Similarly, many people travel the world because they want the freedom of seeing different countries and cultures. So it may seem that a logical idea would be to combine the two and run a business while traveling the world as a digital nomad. Thanks to the Internet and social media, you are almost never completely out of touch with your business. But with freedom comes responsibilities, and running a business while traveling abroad means shouldering a great deal of responsibility. As much as you may want to close your laptop and go enjoy the beaches and temples of Thailand, you have a company to run and must be available at odd hours, work a great deal, and deal with the unique stresses which happen from traveling abroad. Such a life is, frankly, not for everyone and requires discipline and mental fortitude. If you can make it work, the result is a rewarding and enriching experience as long as you commit to these 4 important steps for your business to survive. Know your Work Hours Time zones are one of the biggest challenges which you will face if running a business abroad. I have had moments being abroad where I forgot about time zones and tried to contact important persons at inappropriate hours leading to embarrassment and apologies. But that does not mean you have to always adjust your schedule to accommodate them. An important thing to do when hopping from time zone to time zone is to try and work at the time of day when you are most alert. Whether you are a night owl or early riser, try to get your work done during those hours. A major benefit of traveling and running a business is that you no longer work the stereotypical 9 to 5 schedule, and instead can focus on working shorter, more intense hours as Business Insider and other analysts have spoken highly of. Under the right time zone, you can get your work done before sunrise and then spend the rest of the day exploring. Get a Wi-Fi Hotspot There are few things more concerning than plopping down in a new spot and trying to check in with your workers through Skype, only for the call to be spoiled by a bad connection. Having reliable Internet is critical to your job, and you may have to worry about important websites like Google or YouTube being blocked off in your current country. Before settling down in a new home or hotel, ask the owner to conduct an Internet speed test so that you know the Internet will be reliable. If it is not, there are plenty of options for digital nomads to ensure a reliable connection. You can buy a 4G hotspot device such as the Skyroam Solis which will keep you constantly connected. Another option is to find a coworking space, which should be present in any major city. These are essentially offices set up across the world which you rent for a short time. They offer more reliable internet and more space to work compared to a café. Know your Limitations Running a business is tiring. Traveling can be tiring. Combine the two together and you can find yourself on the short road to exhaustion and burnout. The most important thing you can do to avoid burnout is to know your limitations and learn to say no. Any successful business must learn to say no because as Jessica Stillman with Inc. points out, they know what they must focus on. This is especially true when traveling, as you may feel the need to do more work than everyone else to show them that you are a serious manager and not some traveling dilettante. If someone comes with a business proposal which does not help your business, say no. Also learn to say no and be willing to stay in and work if some traveling companions want to have some fun. Visit in Person The Internet and Skype make communication easier, but there is no substitution for meeting people face to face, especially if you don’t have a small business signal booster to ensure connection of all your staff. You will likely have to head home at some point or another. Use the time to personally check that things are going well in the business, meet with workers who you may not have gotten the chance to speak with face to face, and use the time to schedule important meetings. Do make clear that you will hit the road again eventually, and that communication via the Internet and Skype will remain the best way to reach you. Even if you do not plan to head home, take care to communicate through Skype or other video calling services as opposed to emails. Face to face communication, even with the Internet will show that you are truly committed to the business even if you are not in the same country.

Interviewer: What Megasoft's all about ? Mr Ashar: Megasoft is a major importer of baby diapers into India and has been established by himself only months back in Mumbai, thus my decision to promote his brand at exhibition the likes of these. Interviewer: What advice for young entrepreneurs, if any ? Mr Ashar: As I am quite new to the medical industry, it wouldn't be the right place for me to say, though I does give a word of caution to budding businessmen and advises against unplanned decisions through their journey.

Interviewer: What Alfaa's all about ? Mr. Shaikh : The company is an architectural firm primarily dealing in industrial construction, dealing pre-engineering building products direct to clients. Alfaa also has turn key solutions, relating to everything from installation to production guidance, with over 42 in-house manufactured products. The company was established way back in 1991 in Bangalore by Mr. Manov Barodi along with his brothers, and the once humble complex has now transformed into a corporate behemoth with an annual turnover of over ₹500 crores, and is soon about to be listed upon Indian stock exchanges. Interviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Shaikh : I remark that Alfaa seeks to further expand itself in the medical industry and the current plan of action prioritises gaining exposure within the same, with modular hospital products being something that they seek to display heavily during this phase. Interviewer: What advice for young entrepreneurs, if any -? Mr. Shaikh : Medical industry is an extremely vast one where the standards of quality desired by the public continues to increase by the day and those trying to enter the industry must deliver products keeping the same in mind, along with factoring in infrastructural details and striving to keep costs at a minimum.

Interviewer: What Lenora's all about ? Mr. Robert: Lenora is a latex company into rubber products manufacturing, with a main focus in recent times being their surgical rubber gloves, with other products in line. The company was established by Mr. Anthony Kurien, belonging to a heritage rubber plantation family, in Kochi in 2003. The firm is based in Coimbatore. Interviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Robert: The company is planning to release new products in the near future and advertising extensively before that arrives is critical to ensuring success for the company in the foreseeable future. Attending events such as these, more specific toward the industry Lenora's based in, saves their time for it attracts only their target customers and markets their products to only those who'll be potential clients in the first place. Interviewer: What advice for young entrepreneurs, if any ? Mr. Robert: The medical industry's sheer scale and scope makes it a great field for anyone to enter due its continually important influence over society, and it's obvious that the need for quality healthcare won't vanish from the planet anytime soon. Speaking on a more personal note, it states that a strength of character and being kind toward colleagues and competitors alike should too rank high on a budding entrepreneur's to-do list, thereby keeping their equations with those around them respectable and thus preventing the creation of another issue on their already packed schedule.

When you get inspired by Bill Gates and build another five companies like Microsoft then you go from 1 to n. But when you create something unique that did not exist before you are going from zero to one. This book is all about inspiring you to think about grand ideas and not for those who are looking to merely tinker. Unsolved problems are hotbeds of opportunity. Conventional education leads to conventional choices. So his Thiel Fellowship program funds smart people who are under 20, to forgo their college education and start their own companies. Peter Thiel is a billionaire entrepreneur (he started Paypal in 1998 as a way to create an alternative to the dollar), turned venture capitalist turned author taught a class on entrepreneurship at Stanford. He was the first outside investor in Facebook. He studied philosophy at Stanford University before going on to Stanford Law School, and working in a law firm in New York and then as a derivatives trader on Wall Street. The book starts by asking Thiel’s favorite interview question, “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?” This book is about asking you to think, “What valuable company is no one building?” If the company you are thinking of will show diminishing rate of return, your idea is not original enough. An original idea (like LinkedIn, says Thiel) will give progressively higher rate of returns. All the “zero to one” ideas like Facebook follow four rules. They are bold ideas and not about taking baby steps and making incremental progress. The founder has a clear plan. A wrong plan is better than no plan. See how you can leverage technology. Try to create a small monopoly. That is where profits lie. But never declare yourself as one. Product is important but so is Sales. Nerds often do not get this when they come up with a great product – someone has to sell it. There is no such thing as luck – it is all about skills and a great team. A lone genius cannot create a startup. He quotes Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter who said, “Success is never accidental”. A founder must have a long term view. Steve Jobs designed Apple’s future with a series of ground breaking new products every few years. That’s where the Power Law kicks in. Those who can think of a Zero to One idea will create monopolies and leave pennies for those who will be inspired to follow. That’s a strong warning to all those who imitate Steve Job’s arrogance without having his vision. Thiel has seven questions that he thinks every start-up must answer: Can you create breakthrough technology that is at least 10x better? Is now the right time to start your business? Are you starting with a big share of a small market? Think monopoly. Do you have the right team? Do you have a way to not just create but to deliver your product? Will your market position be defensible 10 or 20 years into the future? Have you identified a unique opportunity that others don’t see? Thiel has strong opinions on everything – even how you should dress (hint: don’t wear suits ever!). He is a contrarian and is unafraid of offending you by challenging your world view. The book certainly inspired me to abandon incremental thinking. This book should be read by everyone who wants to be an entrepreneur. You cannot think short term. Thiel may know a thing or two about success. The PayPal core team members went on to start Yammer, LinkedIn, YouTube and Yelp. In that sense the book will become a handbook that entrepreneurs will read in order to really ask whether their idea really is going to be a “Zero to One” idea just like this book.

Invterviewer: What Jash's all about ? Mr. Dabi : Jash are into casting marine products, forging essentials such as bedplates and welding tables, their range of creations catering mostly to the shipbuilding industry, with the above mentioned ones serving the purposes of testing and fabrication among others. The company has been in existence for over six decades, formed in 1948 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Besides shipbuilding, Jash also serves the automotive industry, while having a customer base not only across India, but also in the gulf countries. Everywhere machinery is required, Jash's tools are present right there.. Invterviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Dabi : Jash continues to extend influence over its forte, shipbuilding , their presence at this event attesting to the same and further building upon their foundation in this industry. Invterviewer: Advice for young entrepreneurs, if any - Mr. Dabi : Basically,willpower is unarguably the most essential aspect to a entrepreneur's success and must be a irreplaceable part of their mental makeup, for it enables one to reach for greater goals once initial ones are achieved.

Interviewer: What Progility's all about ? Mr. Desai : Primarily a UK based company, Progility are attempting to market the healthcare products offered by Starkstorm to the Indian market, such as EPS products catering toward operation theatres. In the event of electrical shock in a theatre, it spreads and subsequently harms both the doctor and patient, while the system prevents . The company has background with Siemens, before it sold the entire stake it had in Progility to an Indian buyer, while Starkstorm is a 41 year old brand. Interviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Desai : Educating people upon the need of the systems offered by their brands, it is an essential part of their plan for the coming future, while expanding internationally even more than it already has. Interviewer: What advice for young entrepreneurs, if any ? Mr. Desai : Medical industry is a huge industry with his vast experience coming into play, saying that the massive scale can be witnessed even with the amount of stalls seen at such medical exhibitions.

Interviewer: What Arico's all about ? Mr. Bose: Arico are into ship repair, building and UPS systems. The mentioned systems are manufactured by Arico and produced entirely in India itself. The company has been functioning for three years now, supplying and catering to various commercial buyers. The company was founded and is still based in Mumbai, the vision of Mr. Ashish Basu, an ex lifetime marine engineer whose standards continue to empower Arico marine today. Interviewer: What are the company's current course of action ? Mr. Bose: The basic concept of announcing one's business to the market and displaying that "you're still alive" as he puts it, is an essential facet of a company's journey. Arico thus seeks to innovate continuously from hereon in and attend events the likes of these to interact with newer partners and customers. Interviewer: What is your advice for young entrepreneurs, if any ? Mr. Bose : Speaking in the context of the marine industry, and his own vast experience, that the marine industry is a long, drawn out one requiring levels of patience rarely seen in other places. Perseverance is the key ingredient here and to succeed in any walk of life.

Interviewer: What IDEX's all about ? Mr. Mirza : IDEX is a exhibition planning and organising firm that hosts their own events within 3 diverse verticals - Healthcare, Legal, and Beauty & Wellness. This very event, the Hospital Planning and Infrastructure Expo is hosting its 4th edition in 2017 with the basic purpose of bringing together healthcare professionals and enable educated discussions on upon what the standards of hospital building and architecture must ideally be like. The company also organises the highly successful Student's Architecture Competition, currently experiencing its 2nd edition, with 5 shortlisted participants from across India. It states that 2017 saw Summit establishing the Hospital Awards, recognising those vying to get their hospitals based on a sustainable and environmentally friendly model. The company was established about a decade ago by its current managing director, Mr. Vikas Vij, an experienced chartered accountant from the United Kingdom who switched industries and then established Summit. Interviewer:Advice for young entrepreneurs, if any - Mr. Mirza: I states that all entrepreneurs, whether seasoned or rookies, must be ready to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Indeed, they will face challenges but that will only subside with time and shouldn't ever hold them back.