No 'I' in 'Team' . . . Except with Quixtar!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Last night I had to rush outta here which meant I didn't get to post to the REAL Quixtar Blog. I had to coach my son's soccer team, Grand Rapids United (we're 2-1 in league play).
I grew up with soccer and love teaching kids the sport and hopefully instilling in them some of the key principles of the support; most importantly, teamwork.
We do a little chant before each game: Who are we? UNITED! What does that mean? TEAM! What are we here for? TO HAVE FUN! I spend time at each practice stressing positional play, passing, and being supportive of each other. I point out that it's easier to pass around an opponent than to go through him or her. They're all 9 and 10, so there are still a lot of times they try to go it alone, but it's really exciting when they do pass and see that it works for the team and, when they often get the ball back, it can work for them, too!
I know that a team attitude is required here at Quixtar, too. We all have to rely upon others doing their jobs so that we can perform optimally in our own roles. That requires trust, accountability, and open communication.
I also know that "team play" is required in the field as well. In fact, some of the IBO organizations have Team right in their title. It takes different skills for these teams to succeed, like those who excel at speaking, and those who are better at developing relationships, and those who meet a lot of new people.
Teamwork is built right into our business model, I-commerce, where the Internet, the Individual, the Infrastructure Quixtar provides, and the Independent Business Ownership Plan come together.
I'm proud to be a member of this team, working hard alongside some 900 employees here at Quixtar and hundreds of thousands of IBOs across the U.S. and Canada.