Cross-Functional Teamwork

The role of cross-functional teaming is effective in purchasing and supply management as well as buyer-supplier relationships because during the process of storage, monitoring goods, operating machinery and caring for supplies, and selling them, there must be a lot of people involved, not only to get the job done in time, but to get it done in the most sufficient way possible. Cross-functional teaming involved a group of people that are skilled in different areas that are helping work towards a common goal, which in this case, would be purchasing and supplying management or buyer-supplier relationships.

Often times, the man or woman who is monitoring raw goods from retail stores and keeping records of what is coming in and out of the company may not be equally skilled in operating heavy machinery, simply because they were skilled and trained in a different area. According to CBS News, “Your team will probably need to come from all parts of your company so that you get people with the right skills and also that you get input and involvement from all parts of the business.” Involvement and participation are key factors an employee must keep in mind. I have five different operations in the same location and work as a vice-president of operations in a large manufacturing firm. If I attempted a job I was not skilled at, the entire structure would fail It is important for everybody to complete their own job accordingly. Cross-functional teamwork allows different people skilled in different areas to work together and get the job done the best way possible.

For each cross-functional team, whether it may be the public or private sector, relies on one mission, and that is to get the job done together while working peacefully amongst one another. Cross-functional teams are all about teamwork and working toward a common purpose; which is to help the company strive. It is important for each team and specifically each team member to be committed to their task. Each member was chosen for a reason, for their experience and knowledge that is related to the task, their ability to work well with one another, and time to work on the time. The company counts on each and every one of their team members to enhance the group dynamic and to fully cooperate and give their best every time they are on the job.

Integrated product teams bring together employees from multiple functional areas to form self-directed work teams and seek to maximize the contributions of each employee, but to minimize the amount of work and effort that might cost the company if it had not been for each team’s work. They focus on satisfying customer’s needs instead of a specific function. This differs from product development teams because the team works together in order to help accommodate consumers as opposed to working together to help build or create something with a variety of different workers. According to Vogel and Cagan’s article, “What Drives New Product Development”, “…a shared vision must flow from top management through middle and lower management down to individual members of product development teams”. With a clear system that each member follows and agrees on, the quicker the work is done. This effectively and systematically employs help teams up a group of credible individuals in order to concurrently apply all necessary procedures to help their company succeed. My Chief of Contracting works with ordering parts and equipment and at times, will give the managers a hard time and look past their good work. It is important in a structure, especially if one may be ranked higher than others and find themselves in charge of others, to keep professional mindset, but also remember that sometimes workers work better when vocally and visually appreciated through kind gestures, praise, and even warm greetings and expressions. 

References

BNet Staff. (February 9, 2007). CBS News. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-51052967/building-a-cross-functional-team/

Cagan, Jonathan, Vogel, Craig M. (September 13, 2012). Financial Times. Retrieved from: http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1945330