Burning Olive Pits

Burning Olive Pits Burning Olive Pits Burning Olive PitsThe largest olive processor in theU.S. used to pay to truck around 13 billion olive pits per year to landfills. But the Musco Family Olive Co. now burns what was previously viewed as a waste material to both treat their wastewater and generate electricity to run their plant.In 2007, after being hit by the state with large fines for water discharge violations, the Tracy, CA-based company began testing a demonstration-sized renewable energy wastewater system (RENEWS) produced by Combined Solar Technologies,Pacific Grove, CA,that proved capable of cleaning the olive plants wastewater containing salts, olive brine, olive oil, acetic acid, and high amounts of total dissolved solids.The firms system begins by feeding pits into burners where they are combusted. Energy from the burner heats a heat-transfer fluid made from white paraffin low-grade cooking oil that travels through pipes to a brine boiler. The CST boiler processes the wast ewater using a distillation process, and pressurized steam produced from the wastewater powers a steam engine to generate electricity, which is fed into the facilitys power distribution network. Exhaust heat is used to dry solids separated from the wastewater stream.Since installing a full-scale sized system in 2010, Musco has been able to treat its wastewater and generate 500 kwh/hr, or half of the plants electrical needs for operations such as sorters, canners, pitting, packing, and tagging machines.Storing and Delivering Pits for CombustionOlive pits have an energy rating of 8,800 Btu per pound, higher than hard wood, and have a similar moisture level. The full-sized system currently in use at the Musco plant burnstwo to threetons of olive pits every hour.Pits can be burned straight out of the plant, and theres an easy screw feed system to get them fired in the combustion unit at a constant rate, explains Frank Schubert, creator of the Bio-Reactor Burner (BRB) and RENEWS at CST. Pits are fed into a silo for storage before feeding into a burner, and are even used slightly wet. Schubert says the pits are not saturated about half of the moisture is on the outside in their wrinkles and folds. On occasion pits will be left to dry in the sun, but after scaling to the full-sized plant, CST developed a system to catch the 50-60 gallons per day of water that drained out of the silo so it could be treated with the mills wastewater.Olive pit processing equipment. Photo courtesy of cstgreen.comPits are fed into a relatively low-temperature combustion chamber where air is spun in a unique way. Ash is allowed to remain in the burner longer at temperatures lower than other typical systems, creating a carbon sink that holds in heat, sulfur and nitrogen oxide. The pits dont smolder they start firing quickly when they hit the bed, and burn at 1,800-2,000 degrees F.As batches of 100 tons are combusted weekly, about one-half ton of residue is cleaned out of the burner.About ha lf of that are clinkers, heavy rock-like chunks that look like lava. The other half is powdery fly ash that contains nitrates, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals. Both are spread on the olive fields, offsetting about one-quarter of the facilitys fertilizer needs.As of 2011, Muscos CST burner has passed Californias strict air quality laws and is officially the cleanest burner in California, producing lower than required limits for nitrogen oxides, according to Schubert.CSTs bioreactor combustion unit was granted a permit to emit 17.5-ppm levels of NOx and regularly beats it at 4.7 ppm, according to Schubert. In addition to treating wastewater, the RENEWS system saves charges for fertilizer, waste disposal, fuel, and power, and generating power onsite reduces transmission and distribution losses.Musco plans to double the size of its current system this fall, which will provide them with 100% of the plants electricity demand.Debbie Snidermanholds an MENG from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. She is an independent writer and regular contributor to Mechanical Engineering.Pits can be burned straight out of the plant, and theres an easy screw feed system to get them fired in the combustion unit at a constant rate.Frank Schubert, creator of the Bio-Reactor Burner (BRB) and RENEWS at CST

You dont need a reason to want to work remotely

You dont need a reason to want to work remotelyYou dont need a reason to want to work remotelyWith any sort of career decision, its easy to feel like you need to have a solid, irrefutable, evidence-backed reason for every choice you make.You want totake that new jobbecauseitll lead to more growth. You want to change careersbecauseyou feel stuck in a rut with what youve been doing. You want to spearhead that projectbecauseits great experience to have under your belt.We hesitate to make any sort of decision without being able to immediately point to some sort of obvious benefit or justification.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut, thats not always so easy.For example, what about when someone asks youwhy you want to work remotely? Personally, I often have a hard time pinpointing exactlywhyI pursued this lifestyle. Was it the flexibility? The greater control over my work and schedul e? The ability to stay home with my dogs?Well, yes- and, at the same time, no. In all honesty, I didnt really have a specific supporting argument forwhy I wanted to give remote work a try. I just knew I wanted to, and that was enough for me to take the leap.Heres the good news the same rule applies for you.You dont actually need a reason to want to work remotely. Heres whySometimes you just want something for no real reason.This is something that often isnt talked about, particularly when it comes to careers. Sometimes you just want to do something because, well, you justwantto.Thats an excuse that we acknowledge in so many other areas of our lives. For example, imagine that you told a friend that you were craving ice cream and they asked you why. Im willing to bet you wouldnt start talking about the benefits and all of the reasons you deserved it. Youd probably respond with something straightforward like, Because it sounds good, or, Because I just want it.But, were not so readily w illing to accept that same type of reasoning when it comes to our careers. Theres definitely pressure to have thoughtful rationale ready to go in your back pocket. But rest assured, youre allowed to make decisions without having a lengthy explanation to go with them.You might have more than one reason for wanting to work remotely.Of course, there are plenty of greatreasons for wanting to go the remote route, and that can make it all the more challenging to zone in on the exact quality thats speaking to you.Maybe its not the flexibility or the increased productivity or the sense of control thats calling your name- maybe its actually a culmination of all of those things (and then some) thatsdriving your desire to go remote. Fortunately, you dont have to pick one (or really, any) reason for wanting this lifestyle.Youre the only one who requires justification for your career choices.Ultimately, do you know who needs and deserves tofeel good about the decisions you make about your career ? You- and thats really it. Without a doubt, you should still be professional and courteous about your choices and actions (in other words, dont take this as your permission to tell off a colleague or storm out of work without warning).But at the end of the day, you technically dont owe an explanation to anyone about the career moves you make. As long as you feel happy and confident about what youre doing and whats inspiring you to do it, thats really all that matters.Heres the bottom line while it might not feel like it,you dont actually need a reason for wanting to work remotely. You can just want it- and thats it. But what happens if youreasked about your reasoning in a job interviewor a similar situation? In those circumstances, you can feel extra pressure to spout out a logical and impressive rationalization.Dont force yourself to get specific. Something general like, Its something Ive been considering for a while, and I wanted to give it a try should do the trick when it comes to answering the question- without boxing yourself in.This article originally appeared on FlexJobs.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

4 ways to help master the phone interview

4 ways to help master the phone interview4 ways to help master the phone interviewPart of my job entails hopping on the phone and convincing companies and conferences to book me as a speaker. Its like a job interview every time, and it always reminds me of my very first phone interviews for internships back in college. I was so nervous my knees would be shaking and Id feel nauseous with anxiety. Even though Ive become mora comfortable over the years, there are still a few key best practices I rely on to make the best possible impression.Rise and shineFirst, I always try to stand up. When youre standing, you entire demeanor changes and often, your vocal tone does, too. As Im listening to the dial tone ring, nervously awaiting their pick-up on the other end of the phone, I force myself to smile, knowing that itll make me sound more pleasant and cheerful, too.But instead of nerves being my biggest enemy nowadays, its distractions. Since I take these calls throughout the course of an ave rage workday, Im usually within site of my laptop, which is ripe with distractions even if its just my inbox. One minute, Ill be engrossed in a conversation with a potential client, and the next Ill see an urgent customers request appear at the top of my inbox ah Or one of my team members will pop into slack to chat with me yikesNo screens, no stressIts impossible to not be distracted within sight of your screens. So for any job-seeker whos taking a phone interview, just because youre face isnt on camera, doesnt mean you should let your eyes wander. Sequester yourself in a room without screens whenever possible to make it easy to avoid any alerts and notifications popping up while youre mid-sentence.Take noteThe one thing I recommend you DO keep within sight is the anthroponym(s) of the folks youre speaking to. This is especially true when youve got multiple interviewers on the other end of the line. Whenever you can, write their names on a sticky note before youre even on the ca ll and keep that sticky posted within sight. Use their name a few times throughout the call to show youre really listening. As Dale Carnegie once saidA persons name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.The key here is to make sure youre never giving the impression that there are more important things youd rather be doing than talking to them right this moment.Handle stress seamlesslyAnd if, God forbid, something crazy does come up, like a fire alarm or your dog starts barking his head off at the mail carrier, put yourself on mute and if absolutely necessary, ask politely for a moment to yourself. You might say something like I amso sorryto ask, but may I place you on a very brief hold? Upon return, explain but dont dwell on whatever went down. Dive right back into the conversation with something like, My apologies, so where were we?Keep these principles of strong phone etiquette in mind for your next interview or pitch call, and youre sure to give a polished, professional impression.Do you have any phone interview best practices to share? Or some horror story about a phone interview faux-pas? Id love to hear about it on social media atemilieariesandbosseduporg. I cant wait to hear what you think.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.

8 Comedian Memoir Quotes on Getting Ahead in Your Career - The Muse

8 Comedian Memoir Quotes on Getting Ahead in Your Career - The Muse8 Comedian Memoir Quotes on Getting Ahead in Your CareerWhether youre just having an off day at work or youre having a series of off weeks, you could probably use a quick pick-me-up for inspiration, right? I knew you would say yes. Thats why I pulled together quotes from eight beloved comedians and actors who wrote books on getting ahead. No, really, these awesome career quotes are from their books. And theyre just what you need to help you power through any rough patch youre facing.Oh, and these quotes are just the tip of the advice iceberg. If youre inspired, I recommend reading all these memoirs in full. 1. On Your CareerYou have to care about your work but not about the result. You have to care about how good you are and how good you feel, but not about how good people think you are or how good people think you look...Treat your career like a schwimmbad boyfriend. It likes it when you dont depend on it. It will ch ase you if you act like passion, friendship, family, longevity are more important to you.- Amy Poehler, Yes Please2. On Your AttitudeDont welcheste your energy trying to educate or change opinions go over, under, through, and opinions will change organically when youre the boss. Or they wont. Who cares? Do your thing, and dont care if they like it.- Tina Fey, Bossy Pants3. On the Mentors You PickWork hard, know your sht, show your sht, and then feel entitled. Listen to no one except the two smartest and kindest adults you know, and that doesnt always mean your parents. If you do that, you will be fine.- Mindy Kaling, Why Not Me?4. On AmbitionBut ambition is a funny thing it creeps in when you least expect it and keeps you moving, even when you think you want to stay put.- Lena Dunham, Not that Kind of Girl A Young Woman Tells You What Shes Learned5. On PassionI live by the mantra Whoever is most passionate. If I was mentoring someone, thats the Shandling-esque advice I would proffer Find people you really respect and trust, and then at each decision, heed the most passionate voice. I love that because it eliminates nearly all struggle.- Sarah Silverman, The Bedwetter Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee6. On Taking RisksWhen you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important. Its failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.- Ellen DeGeneres, Seriously Im Kidding7. On Opportunities...I can confidently pass up opportunities that dont make sense because therell be better ones on the horizon, even if I have to wait. - Julie Klausner, I Dont Care About Your Band What I Learned from Indie Rockers, Trust Funders, Pornographers, Felons, Faux-Sensitive Hipsters, and Other Guys Ive Dated8. On Being LikableI started getting back what I was putting in. I began to see how important good relationships are in this business. Ive always been naturally thorough and well prepar ed, and by my mid-thirties I had worked out the worst kinks in my personality. I might have even become someone who was nice to have around.- Jane Lynch, Happy AccidentsPhoto of Tina Fey courtesy S_Bukley/Shutterstock.

Resume Words List Tips

Resume Words List Tips As youre going to learn how to create a kickass customer service resume. Theres a simple answer You truly feel awful. If needed, make an email address especially for job hunting. Make the appropriate decision when deciding on a resume writing service as a result of professional resume writing services reviews. If youre eager to work as a salesperson, not merely a server, employers will appreciate your investment in the success of the company. You should make an effort to give only snapshots of your skills, therefore the hiring officer could choose whether you would fit with the organization or not. Your aim is to make your achievements stand out so that your upcoming employer or hiring manger can easily locate them. Instead, utilize a number of terms which best describe your accomplishments to show employers the sortiment of your achievements.Have a Google for typical resumes and techniques, also you might want to stop by your community jobcentre and see whether they have got any advice on the sort of resumes your skill platzdeckchen is handing out. A resume ought to be unique and well structured as a way to stick out from the rest of the resumes and clearly advertise your abilities. Needless to say, dont use a skill keyword in case you dont have that skill. Attempt to use this type of language to demonstrate you have these crucial skills. Professional on-line writing resume denver Ive been searching for employment for a little over a year Ive been employed during this period, but not real pleased with my job. Dallas, tx, is situated in the northern portion of texas, and its home to a mix of universities, community colleges and technical and vocational institutes. You have to tailor your resume to the work offer. Its possible to also cite how your prior experience could be beneficial to fix the present problems of the organization. It is likewise an area which has an impact on many other facets of life. By quantifying your results, youre giving them the specifics they will need to make an educated decision about you. You are able to read the remainder of the CareerBuilder survey here. In addition, the corporations resume scanning software may be programmed for a specific keyword, and that means you are going to want to include synonyms of the keywords. This article will become your reference whenever youre confused to select the most suitable decoration for your house. The illustration will help make sure that you compose a resume of your own that will unquestionably be correct and in the proper format. Usage of effectual titles ought to be considered. Using broad array of keywords will demonstrate that you have each of the diverse qualities essential for the job. You will also need to hope it is set up using the right format. There are many completely free application templates easily available on the internet but sometimes it can be rather difficult to choose the ideal one thats most ac ceptable for you. There are different kinds of keywords. The grammar checker wont help you unless you get a fundamental comprehension of grammar to start out with. Resume keywords showcase your precise skills. Nothing dilutes the effect of action verbs than being surrounded by a number of other action verbs This means that youre on the market for 25 or so verbs. Unless you get a good reason to broaden your variety, the below success verbs can cover most bullets you are able to consider. Action verbs show your capability to succeed. The Upside to Resume Words List Hiring managers wish to seek the services of positive men and women, not complainers. Employers receive innumerable letters and might not have the ability to respond personally. They do not simply want to see that you worked on email marketing campaigns. They want to hire energetic people. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Resume Words List The vital issue is to look at the job description. Keep in mi nd, that theres no harm if your accomplishments are over by the conclusion of the very first page. List up to 10 and select the ones which youre great at. You dont need to find anything. Resume Words List Features You ought to be worried no more. Its also important to guarantee that the verbs youre using align with the providers goals. You may also incorporate info about any skilled memberships that you possess in it. Your resume isnt likely to just be composed of awards and numbers.

Top Guide of Google Drive Writing Resume Template

Top Guide of Google Drive Writing Resume Template Learning how to construct a resume step by step doesnt have to be hard. For instance, a business resume template will consider the positional requirements of a company, then provide the format that will serve the candidates individual requirements. Simply head over to their Placement arbeitszimmer and you are going to have template in no moment. Utilizing a template guarantees that you use the most current style which indicates that youre keen on the changes in the business. Only the simple fact that youre ready to prepare a professional resume for job gets you across the majority of your first obstacles. Its very simple for folks to locate and complete a resume template, which is exactly why many folks elect to utilize it. Situation certain resumes generally indicate they are especially formatted to suit people in a certain situation, for instance, entry level resumes, inter-company transfer resumes, etc.. All resumes, howe ver theyre put together, need to be well-written and simple to scan for information. Before delving into what information you should add, its important to keep in mind that the info you include will largely rely on the format you opt for. All you need to do is enter your information. A template can help you with making certain that all the info a prospective employer expects to see will be there, and will be placed where it needs to be. If youre looking for a chronological resume template for a reception its possible to try out browsing for that at Bing or your favourite search engine. What You Must Know About Google Drive Writing Resume Template When writing your CV you need to make sure that you clearly write the crucial abilities and demonstrate ways to transfer them to the position that youre interested in working in. A functional resume template permits you to draw attention to your skills rather than your previous employment or employment history. You might need to t ake a look at all the resumes, for that issue. Always keep in mind that your resume is your very first and last impression on the prospective employer and therefore, it needs to be a lasting one. Hence, you can select the acceptable job resume templates when youre in need of any. If you dont locate a template that is particular to your job requirement, you can select the template that was created for a job very similar to the one that youre interested in. You can pick the ideal template and design your resume for the specific job. Directly copying a CV template isnt always the ideal solution as its not always tailored to the demands of the candidate. Ruthless Google Drive Writing Resume Template Strategies Exploited Theres a ackerschnacker search box in which you put in your keyword and it pulls up every appropriate template on the site. You need to decide on the template according to how much information you would like to provide. There are three major types of resume tem plates. You can pick the template for the position you would like to apply. Below, you will discover which one is most effective for you. The template lets you easily group your relevant abilities and accomplishments in a distinctive category.

Sample Resume for ICU RN Job Position

Sample Resume for ICU RN Job PositionSample Resume for ICU RN Job PositionCreate this Resume Edith Kane3665 Henry Ford AvenueTulsa, OK 74106(888)-613-1560e.kanesmail.comObjectiveLooking for an opportunity to be part of a healthcare institution with world class facilities and commendations as an ICU RN to provide professional nursing care to patients Summary of QualificationsBLS certifiedKnowledgeable in body substance isolationListening ability, coupled with passion and empathic take on case-to-case basisAbility to diagnose and analyze patient symptomsProficient in using PC applications and MS Office applicationsExperience with hospital and laboratory equipment and facilitiesProfessional ExperienceHead ICU RN, January 2007- PresentLongmont United Hospital, Longmont, CO ResponsibilitiesProvided efficient and proper nursing services.Supported, maintained and provided an environment which is supportive of quality patient care through effective use of resources and personnel. Practiced, developed and endorsed customer service skills in relationships with internal and external customers. Acted and served as the patient and family advocate with respect to the patients right to privacy. Planned and implemented patient care and teaching based on total assessment and age of the patient.Evaluated and documented patient response monitored and recognized changes in physiological and psychosocial status.ICU RN, May 2004- December 2006Gulf Coast Medical Center, Panama City, FL ResponsibilitiesExecuted and performed evaluation on patient response. Implemented ways to control costs without compromising patient safety, quality of care or the service delivered. Demonstrated and presented knowledge of the occurrence reporting ordnungsprinzip. Applied and used system to report potential patient safety issues. Attended and participated in service presentations and completed all mandatory education requirements. EducationBachelors Degree in Nursing, 2004Yale UniversityAssociate Deg ree in Nursing, 2002Yale University Customize ResumeMore Sample ResumesHockey Coach Resume Hydrogeologist Resume Hydrologist Resume ICU Nurse Resume ICU RN Resume Imagery Analyst Resume Immigration Paralegal Resume

How to reverse-engineer the career of your dreams

How to reverse-engineer the career of your dreamsHow to reverse-engineer the career of your dreamsThe great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. - WilliamJamesEvery beginning should start with your end.Lets face it, we, the people of the world, are living in a results-driven culture.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIts about the results Right?We see it in the workplace. Were reminded of it on television. Its plastered all over billboards and social media.Were fed a Be Do Have system of thinking. It all culminates in a bottom-line approach. Show me the money. What have you done for me lately? In reality, this obsession with results matters very little when juxtaposed against our lifes journey. Results dont quite measure up to the minutes and hours lived in the Be and Do states. Results take time. Theyre often goals we work toward.And work, we should, t oward our goals and dreams. Im a chief proponent of this Just know, your energy is far better spent and focused on living each moment of the day with vim, vigor and full immersion in the Be and Do activities. I also encourage you to recognize that you likely already have something great going. You just have to appreciate it for what it is.We can find happiness, fulfillment and a sense of our purpose in the world in all three stages. Where we get senfgas and suffer is when we fixate too much on the future - what we dont have. When we long for these results, that may not be what we truly want at heart, it leads to anxiety and a hollow feeling that leaves us empty and unsatisfied.Building Your FoundationResults are both objective and subjective. Some people live their lives trying to achieve particular results because they think it will make their parents, boyfriend, girlfriend or classmates proud. While those are wonderful complements and side effects, they should not be the reasonsw hyyou do what you do. The results you strive for should be for your own self-satisfaction.Look at this small graph below of Be, Do and Have. I believe for far too long, our culture has obsessed over the results. As aresult, theres little attention paid to the fine details like values, beliefs, attitude and effort. These qualities form the backbone - the foundation - of who we are We cannot possibly achieve big things in life if we bypass these important steps.We need values to help shape our behavior and outlook on life. Our values become a reflection of the way we see ourselves. We behave in accord to the way we think and the values we hold dear. Take Steve Jobs for instance. He wasnt a very religious man. But he was a man of great faith and conviction. He believed fervently in placing trust in himself - in anything - for the future, then working toward it with enthusiasm and dedication.Once you have the Do and Be down, then you reap the results. Right? Or not right? Have you b een paying attention? Let me flip the script on you.You HaveItCarve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. - Shannon L. AlderWhat if you started living each day - leading with the Have? What I mean by this is, lets say youre an up and coming entrepreneur. You want to create a great new app that everyone is going to love. Chances are, youre already writing the code, and perhaps youve already created something to beta test. It could be awesome. But you might not think so. So you doubt. You feel you need external validation in the form of abverkauf and social media buzz.You dont. In reality, your vision of Have may be what you already have going for you. Youre on a journey thats chock full of great rides, turns and changes. Startliving in that moment. Thatisthe HaveBut what if you do some introspective searching and find that you really arent completely happy with your current state? Then start making you r future state - your Have - a reality now. You may not have the sold-out arenas or adoring fans. But start acting like you do. Start imagining exactly what the Have looks like. Paint a picture so vivid, it would make Michelangelo blush.Envision exactly what this looks like. Lead with this. Live a life that celebrates your future success. Then, start being and doing what that is. Its a philosophical and cultural paradigm shift that will change the way you live your life each day. It will propel you toward living your dream faster than you ever could have imagined.Its how you create a legacy and make the fruchtwein of each moment.This article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Comprehensive Look at Team Building in the Workplace

Comprehensive Look at Team Building in the WorkplaceComprehensive Look at Team Building in the WorkplacePeople in every workplace talk about building the gruppe, but few understand how to create the experience of kollektivwork or how to develop an effective gruppe. Belonging to a team, in the broadest sense, is a result of feeling part of something larger than yourself. It has a lot to do with your understanding of the mission or objectives of your organization. Contribution to the Success In a team-oriented environment, you contribute to the overall success of the organization. You work with fellow members of the organization to produce these results. Even though you have a specific job function and you belong to a specific department, you are unified with other staff members to accomplish the overall objectives. Your function exists to serve the bigger picture. You need to differentiate this overall sense of teamwork from the task of developing an effective intact team that is formed to accomplish a specific goal. People confuse the two team building objectives. It is why so many team building seminars, meetings, retreats, and activities are deemed failures. Leaders failed to define the team they wanted to build. Developing an overall sense of teamwork is different from building an effective, focused team. 117 Watch Now 7 Tips for Team Builders That Are Actually Fun Types of Team Building Executives, managers, and organization staff members universally explore ways to improve geschftlicher umgang results and profitability. Many view team-based, horizontal, organization structures as the best design for involving all employees in creating geschftlicher umgang success. No matter what you call your team-based improvement effort(whether its continuous improvement, total quality, lean manufacturing, or a self-directed work team), you are striving to improve results for customers. However, few organizations are pleased with the results their team improvem ent efforts produce. If your team improvement efforts are not living up to your expectations, this self-diagnosing checklist may tell you why. Successful team building- that creates effective, focused work teams- requires attention to each of the following. 1. Clear Expectations for the Team Has executive leadership communicated its expectations clearly for the teams wertzuwachs and expected outcomes? Do team members understand why the team welches created? Is the organization demonstrating constancy of purpose in supporting the team with resources of people, time, and money? Does the work of the team receive sufficient emphasis as a priority in terms of the time, discussion, attention, and interest directed its way by executive leaders? 2. The Context for the Team Do team members understand why they are participating in the team? Do they understand how the strategy of using teams will help the organization attain its communicated business goals? Can team members define thei r teams importance to the accomplishment of corporate goals? Does the team understand where its work fits into the total context of the organizations goals, principles, vision, and values? 3. Team Commitment Do team members want to participate in the team? Do team members feel the team mission is important? Are members committed to accomplishing the team mission and expected outcomes? Do team members perceive their service as valuable to the organization and their careers? Do team members anticipate recognition for their contributions? Do team members expect their skills to grow and develop on the team? Are the team members excited and challenged by the team opportunity? 4. Competence of the Team Does the team feel that it has the appropriate people participating? For example, in process improvement, is each step of the process represented on the team? Does the team feel that its members have the knowledge, skill, and capability to address the issues for which the team was f ormed? If not, does the team have access to the help it needs? Does the team feel it has the resources, strategies, and support needed to accomplish its mission? 5. Charter of the Team Has the team taken its assigned area of responsibility and designed its mission, vision, and strategies to accomplish the mission. Has the team defined and communicated its goals its anticipated outcomes and contributions its timelines and how it will measure both the outcomes of its work and the process the team followed to accomplish their task? Does the leadership team or other coordinating group support what the team has designed? 6. Team Control Does the team have enough freedom and empowerment to obtain the ownership necessary to accomplish its charter? At the same time, do team members clearly understand their boundaries? How far are members allowed to go in pursuit of solutions? Are limitations (e.g., monetary and time resources) defined at the beginning of the project before the team experiences barriers and rework? Are the teams reporting relationship and accountability understood by all members of the organization? Has the organization defined the teams authority to make recommendations? To implement the plan? Is there a defined review process, so both the team and the organization are consistently aligned with both direction and purpose? Do team members hold each other accountable for project timelines, commitments, and results? Does the organization have a plan to increase opportunities for self-management among organization members? 7. Team Collaboration Does the team understand the team and group process? Do members understand the stages of group development? Are the team members working together effectively interpersonally? Do all team members understand the roles and responsibilities of team members, team leaders, and team recorders? Can the team approach problem solving, process improvement, goal setting, and measurement jointly? Do team members coo perate to accomplish the team charter? Has the team established group norms or rules of conduct in areas such as conflict resolution, consensus decision making, and meeting management? Is the team using an appropriate strategy to accomplish its action plan? 8. Team Communication Are the team members clear about the priority of their tasks? Is there an established method for the teams to give feedback and receive honest performance feedback? Does the organization provide important business information regularly? Do the teams understand the complete context of their existence? Do team members communicate clearly and honestly with each other? Do team members bring diverse opinions to the table? Are necessary conflicts raised and addressed? 9.Creative Innovation Is the organization really interested in change? Does it value creative thinking, unique solutions, and new ideas? Does it reward people who take reasonable risks to make improvements? Or does the company reward the peop le who fit in and maintain the status quo? Does it provide the training, education, access to books and films, and field trips necessary to stimulate new thinking? 10. Team Consequences Do team members feel responsible and accountable for team achievements? Are rewards and recognition supplied when teams are successful? Is reasonable risk respected and encouraged in the organization? Do team members fear reprisal? Do team members spend their time finger-pointing rather than resolving problems? Is the organization designing reward systems that recognize both team and individual performance? Is the organization planning to share gains and increased profitability with the team and individual contributors? Can contributors see their impact on increased organization success? 11. Coordination of the Team Are teams coordinated by a central leadership team that assists the groups to obtain what they need for success? Have priorities and resource allocation been planned across depart ments? Do teams understand the concept of the internal customer (i.e., anyone to whom they provide a product or a service?) Are cross-functional and multi-department teams common and working together effectively? Is the organization developing a customer-focused process-focused orientation and moving away from traditional departmental thinking? 12. Team Culture Change Does the organization recognize that the team-based, collaborative, empowering, enabling theorganizational culture of the future is different than the traditional, hierarchical organization it may currently be? Is the organization planning to, or in the process of, changing how it rewards, appraises, hires, develops, motivates, and manages the people it employs? Does the organization plan to use failures for learning and support reasonable risk? Does the organization recognize that the more it can change its climate to support teams, the more it will receive in payback from the work of the teams?