The 1980's and 1990's have been filled with buzzwords like restructuring, reengineering, feedback, risk-taking, and empowerment, but today's hottest buzzword is teamwork. The unique thing about teams is that to make them work, an organization must it incorporate the ideals of all the others buzzwords.
Communication is the key ingredient in creating effective teams.
Employees must be taught communication skills that are appropriate to their new roles and tasks. History of Teams Japan is the first country credited for successfully implementing teams in the workplace. The process began in the 1960's when the Japanese designed quality circles in an effort to overcome their reputation for poorly made goods. The idea was unique, combining statistical quality control with quality management, but putting responsibility for those tasks in the hands of the worker. The success was phenomenal.