There is no off-season for building effective teams.
In our working lives, we hear a lot of chatter about team building. Yet, even though it is widely acknowledged that strong teams are the cornerstone of successful businesses, the exact mechanisms for how you build them are less clear-cut.
For Stacy Stolen, HR Director at Alliant National, creating an environment where staff feel connected, safe and collaborative requires a holistic, year-round approach. She shared insights on how to successfully implement team building in your organization for impactful results.Team building: A critically important conceptWhile incredibly important, team building can sometimes feel cliché and superficial, evoking images of trust falls and three-legged races. Yet when done correctly and with genuine, year-round commitment, few things can be as impactful for creating high- functioning organizations. But why exactly should you prioritize team building? “The lone wolf is becoming an endangered species,” said Stolen, when discussing the subject. “From health care to hospitality, startups to big business, teamwork has become the favored way to get things done.” This view is echoed by those who study team building. “The world is so complex, no one person has the skills or knowledge to accomplish all that we want to accomplish,” says Susan McDaniel, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center who is known for her scholarship on team-based work. “Interdisciplinary teams are the way to make that happen.”[i]Here are some of the tangible benefits agencies can realize through investing in team building: ·Enhanced collaboration: When teams understand and trust one another, it becomes easier to communicate openly and honestly, which reduces silos and promotes alignment.
Better employee morale and retention: Meaningful team building promotes safety, camaraderie, and care. This can lead to lower turnover and higher retention. Higher productivity and profitability: Close-knit teams promote the free exchange of ideas and faster, more impactful feedback, which results in higher productivity and profitability.Improved organizational culture: Team building creates a more affirming, positive and compelling culture. When teams like, respect and collaborate well with one another, businesses enjoy easier recruitment and competitive advantage in the market.
How to Team Build Year Round Clearly, team building can deliver big benefits, but establishing a year-round team building program can be a tall order, especially at a busy agency. Still, there is no need to feel overwhelmed, says Stolen. “Begin by breaking it down into bite-size steps. Start by defining what teamwork means to your organization and do your research. Also, never take a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to teamwork. Make it your own and ensure it is a good fit for your team.”This last point is a critically important one, particularly when viewed in the context of remote work. “As a new manager, or first-time manager, you now have the unique freedom to choose talent from all over the world,” said Stolen. “But you also face an equally unique challenge: Leading a team who you may have never met in person. This includes building trust and camaraderie between people in different time zones.”But whatever type of team building program you land on, make sure it’s sustainable. Without easily repeatable plays, you won’t be able to continue nurturing a strong team at different points of the year. Keep it simple and do not overthink it. Some strategies aligned with this philosophy include:·Build “buffer time” into your meetings that leaves time to chat openly and informally. ·Do ice breakers/team builders at as many meetings as you can. This creates increased cooperation, builds trust and creates a sense of belonging.·Create “team rituals,” repeated actions or activities unique to your team and help them bond. Rituals can be as simple as “Meme Monday,” where everyone shares an image or GIF that captures how their weekend went. ·Avoid communication gaps by scheduling a daily stand-up meeting for people to share updates. This process can also be repeated over digital channels like Zoom.·When it comes to meetings, share the pain. Consider the different time zones your teammates are in and rotate start times so that everyone has a few convenient meetings on their schedule.·Create an Employee Resource Group.Team building can be difficult but well worth the effort Finding time to develop new initiatives at a busy title agency can be a formidable challenge. Yet the importance of well-executed team building can’t be understated. Sticking to these tips can help you create a well-honed operation that delivers results. Better yet, says Stolen, you’ll create an ideal environment that meets your team’s “individual work preferences and needs.”
In the world of information technology, nothing stays the same for long, and that presents both challenges and opportunities. Staying current with the latest trends may be a business necessity, but it can also be a tall order to cut through the noise and implement the right solutions and systems. To make it a bit easier, we’ve compiled the top IT tips and developments you need to be aware of in 2024.
AI and cybersecurity risk
The fact that AI is at the top of the list will surprise no one. For much of 2023, the business world was abuzz about the promise of this emerging technology. In 2024, all signs point to AI becoming more and more intertwined with how companies conduct their operations. While this is largely a positive development, as AI can dramatically increase employee productivity, it does carry cybersecurity risks.
Data privacy is perhaps the most obvious concern when thinking about the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. When companies integrate programs like ChatGPT or similar technologies into their workflows, such programs may share critical data with the service provider and compromise the integrity of sensitive information. To avoid this problem, a best practice is to develop strict standards for how employees can use AI responsibly and protect personal or proprietary data. Some elements to consider including in an official policy are:
Risk assessment: Before implementing AI systems, agencies need to have a comprehensive view of their system vulnerabilities and safeguards.
Access controls: Define the roles and responsibilities of those with access to AI systems on equipment and networks.
Employee training: Consider what type of training and support staff need to leverage AI effectively without compromising cybersecurity and data safeguards.
Data protection: Clarify what type of information can be shared with AI programs and what must remain sequestered.
Remote work is here to stay
Four years on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: remote work is here to stay. Even large companies that have publicly resisted telecommuting have begun to signal that the pre-pandemic, fully in-office model is not coming back.
This has clear implications for our industry. As more employees come to expect flexibility, companies will need to adapt their technology suites. Prioritizing connection and collaboration tools, cloud computing and advanced security solutions like endpoint threat detection can help you succeed in an era of dispersed workforces. Companies will also need to build a remote onboarding program that can help them bring new employees into the fold from anywhere.
Businesses are under ever-increasing scrutiny to incorporate social and environmental concerns into their decision-making. Naturally, this also extends to IT. By making it a priority to implement sustainable solutions into your tech stack, you will enhance your reputation and become a more attractive partner to stakeholders.
Even better, making technology decisions through a green lens is also good for a business’s bottom line. In an earlier blog I wrote, I outlined how green IT tools do more with less, leading to better productivity and lower costs.
Building durable cyber resistance
Recent cybercrimes targeting major mortgage and title companies stand as a stark reminder that criminal activities can have enormous consequences in our industry. Successful attacks can have short and long term implications – ranging from service disruption and compromised systems to stolen credentials, reputational harm and sizable monetary loss.
At Alliant National, we take such threats extremely seriously and have implemented a variety of safeguards to better protect the stakeholders who rely on us every day. Just a few of these strategies include:
Hosting our servers at a secure data center protected by redundant firewalls.
Utilizing email filtering, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and endpoint threat detection and response (EDR) software.
Routinely backing up all email accounts, documents, and mission-critical data.
Conducting quarterly and annual network penetration and phishing tests.
Deploying cloud-based solutions and software for added security.
Adhering to a strict schedule for installing security patches to all relevant tools on servers and workstations.
In the wake of recent cyber attacks in our industry, we are also moving to implement additional security tools to further solidify our defense posture. We encourage agents to take a similar approach and see the New Year as a critical time to continue moving toward what’s known as “cyber resiliency.” This involves assessing the following dimensions of your cybersecurity strategy:
Robust risk management: Tackling your organization’s security involves creating a comprehensive view of your policies, procedures, data resources, vulnerabilities and protections.
Employee investment: Strong organizational cybersecurity relies in part on employees who have been trained in industry best practices as well as organizational safeguards and procedures.
Data security and recovery: Data is an enormously valuable business asset and requires strong security protocols and a comprehensive backup strategy.
Incident response: No security system is complete without a detailed approach to incident response. That includes the software and hardware that needs to be installed across your company, a business continuity plan as well as documentation procedures.
Stay apprised of new developments to win in 2024 People always say that the one constant in life is change, and that adage applies to technology. As we move into the new year, new developments, technology solutions and tools are sure to emerge. The points that we have discussed here are a solid foundation as you start thinking about your 2024 IT strategy. At Alliant National, we are also committed to sharing relevant IT updates and tips for you to further refine your approach going forward. Keep checking in on the Alliant National Advantage blog to learn about building a solid security stack, protecting your company’s data and much more.
With the rise of new technologies like AI, marketing in 2023 was a wild ride. Naturally, this sparks the question of what the New Year will bring. To help agents keep pace, we’ve compiled a list of top trends that agencies can leverage in 2024 for better customer experiences and enhanced business growth.
Short, mobile-friendly content reigns supreme
It should come as no surprise that mobile strategies will remain central to marketing efforts 2024. Customers have long been gravitating toward mobile devices as their primary method for accessing information. That trend is not slowing down, and agencies may want to consider whether their content is mobile friendly. At the same time, research shows that stakeholder attention-spans have grown shorter in our digital-first world. This means content must be instantly engaging and accessible from any device.
Generative AI
The past year will always be remembered as the moment when AI went from being a novelty to a mainstream business tool. Title professionals looking for competitive advantage can consider incorporating these programs into their marketing efforts. While still an emerging technology, generative AI can be used to dramatically accelerate an agency’s marketing via:
Automated content generation
Graphic design
Competitor analysis
Drip email campaigns
AI-powered chat bots
SEO analysis and improvements
Corporate responsibility
Time and time again, research shows that customers care deeply about who they do business with. Corporate reputation is important for attracting and retaining partners. One way for a company to advance its reputation is to commit to corporate responsibility initiatives, and then promote those efforts through marketing.
Some areas to consider, include:
Environmental: Consumers increasingly want to interact with companies that are environmentally friendly. Businesses can respond in a number of ways, for instance by promoting green IT, which involves committing to responsible IT recycling.
Social: A business’s social impact is also important to potential customers.A company that puts equitable pay and volunteerism at the heart of its culture can engender goodwill with its audience andstrengthen its overall brand reputation.
Governance: Last but certainly not least is corporate governance, which refers to the practices and processes by which a company operates. Implementing ethical governance policies can often result in enhanced brand trust and longer-lasting relationships with stakeholders.
Focus on video
As we move into 2024, more and more brands will come to see video as the cornerstone of their marketing efforts. While this can sound costly and intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. Check out our blog on shooting high-quality videos on a budget to get started.
Video can be utilized across your different channels and platforms. Whether it be on social media, email or in paid advertising, video can have a dramatic impact on your audience. Video is also increasingly being prioritized on Google’s SERP (search engine results page), which means it is also important for SEO.
Don’t forget the human touch
As you can see, digital tools will continue to define marketing in the New Year. However, technology does have its limitations. Impactful moments of human-to-human interaction are an important complement to digital marketing. For instance, practicing an elevator pitch allows you to clearly articulate your agency’s value proposition in face-to-face settings. This type of marketing often engages prospects in a much deeper and more meaningful way than other mediums.
Data privacy and governance
Customers’ concerns about how businesses use − or misuse − their personal data have been escalating for years.” Recent polling from 2023 confirms this, with over 81% of people indicating they are concerned about what information companies are collecting.[i] To maintain a positive relationship with your customers, now is a great time to review your data collection and governance policies. If necessary, rewrite your privacy policies for maximum clarity and ensure they are readily available on your website.
Let’s seize the New Year
The start of a new year is an excellent time to review and improve your marketing. While our list is by no means comprehensive, leveraging these trends can provide you with a great foundation for seizing 2024 and making it your best year yet.
Gather round the social media crystal ball and see what’s coming next.
For the last few years, if you haven’t been on TikTok, you haven’t been on social media. Former heavyweights such as Facebook have been losing their luster, and TikTok has rapidly usurped its role as being on the cutting edge of digital communication. Things can change quickly online, especially within social media.
What are forward-thinking businesses supposed to do? How can one effectively plan a social media strategy when the space is continually in flux? If you are asking yourself those questions, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore emerging trends in social media and what they mean for business leaders who want to leverage them for competitive advantage – now and in the future.
Emerging Platforms
As mentioned, while older social media platforms have waned in popularity of late, others have emerged to take their place and a chunk of their market share. Here are a few of the top sites that have left a mark in recent years and are worth keeping an eye on going forward:
Clubhouse: Clubhouse emerged during the first year of the pandemic, offering users a way to form synchronous, audio-only connections between the audience and the speakers. Businesses can consider leveraging the platform to increase the profile of high-performing content pieces or host a dialogue between an industry thought-leader and their target audience.
CaffeineandTwitch: Both Caffeine and Twitch have built steady followings since their launches in 2018 and 2021 respectively. Each of these platforms are video-based, giving users and businesses a powerful way to connect with audiences, position their brands and generate engagement. The success of Caffeine and Twitch also highlight that video is the future when it comes to social marketing – particularly if you need to appeal to the Gen. Z market.
BeReal: BeReal has been adopted with great gusto by Gen. Z. While the full scope of its business applications has yet to be determined, this is a good application to investigate if you’d like to cultivate a highly authentic social presence for your brand.
Paying to Play Will Continue
Last month on this blog, we discussed whether it is now necessary to supplement your organic social media activity with paid promotion. The conclusion we drew is that it has become increasingly difficult to gain the results you may want to see through organic marketing alone. Going forward, this will likely continue to be the case; however, where you spend your marketing dollars is likely to shift. Studies show that consumers prefer ads on sites like TikTok far more than others.[i] Pinterest is another site that has proven itself to be a good bet for advertisers, generating strong ROI for those who choose to deploy its advertising functionality.[ii]
Using Social for Customer Support
While it varies amongst different demographics, customers increasingly expect to interact directly with brands via social media. The gravitation of customers away from the phone and toward online platforms for customer support has been in the works for awhile now, but it truly went into overdrive during the pandemic. To succeed with customer service in this space, businesses must familiarize themselves with how different platforms support one-to-one customer interaction and then make a customer care plan.
The data on this subject robustly backs up these claims. 64 percent of people claim that they would prefer to message a business digitally than hop on the phone.[iii] Despite this, a huge number of businesses have not yet invested in their online customer care, which can be detrimental to their brands, operations, and future profitability.
Embrace the Future
Nothing lasts forever, especially not in the digital sphere. But while that can be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. New trends are emerging in social media that will allow businesses to accomplish strategic goals far more easily, whether that be hosting authentic online content, advertising more effectively, or improving customer care. Keep your finger on the pulse, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new and emerging technology. That will continue to be key to social success.
Savvy business owners know they must continue to engage, inform and entertain customers, prospects and influencers with relevant and current content.
Here are three articles to explain the basics of content, dive into the relevance of it and offer tips to make content more effective.
One thing’s for sure: content marketing is not going anywhere. Moreover, estimates show that by 2021, the industry will be worth more than $400 billion. Here are some of the most important content marketing trends that you must be aware of in 2019. Read More
Creative and strategic content writing is a way to build your brand and grow your business. Here are top trends. Read More
More than half (53 percent) of businesses invest time and money in content marketing, and continued growth in this category is expected, industry experts say. Here are tips on cultivating excellent content. Read More
