Developing Cross-funtional Teams



For an organization to start realizing its vision effectively and efficiently, it has to work in teams, as cross-fuctional Teams.

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The Teams must consider the complete cycle of a product and service. .

This means from the beginning to the consumption or use of products and services, the members of the Team work as one, responsible for the success of the quality and productivity of the complete operations.In this manner, the flow of communication and sharing of information are very fast; organizations behave as boundaryless; trust among members develops very strongly. The members work and respected for their core competence and know-how, not by authoritative powers, implied in assigned leadership. Assigned leadership remains in the organization structures. These leaders act more like Teachers and Guidance Counsellors. They clarify directions and fundamental values of Dole. But with their personal experience and individual core competences, they interact among the Teams like any oither expert, making team decisions with the best information and technology available.

The Leaders of the Teams

The bolder concept in the Dole Asia Teamwork is that there is no single leader leading the Teams. As clarified by Paul Cuyegkeng during the October 24, 1999 Budget review in Tokyo, every member must assert his/her core competence and assert himeslf/herself as leader when opporunities come. Opportunities come either for improvement or maintenance, or corrections. A leader is encouraged to come out without being afraid to commit mistakes. The teamwork dynamics will minimize mistakes as pieces of information are made available.Members are also cautioned against feeling of comfortable zones. In the team dynamics, there should not be an experience of comfortable zones. When some comforts come, there is the danger of the champion syndrome which could undermine business leadership. We must prevent bureaucracy to stiffle creativity and progress.


The Cross-funtional Teams of Dole Asia

The emphasis to work as Teams and to be leaders starts to work in 1999.We have teams for Fresh Pineapple Operatiosn; Banana Operations, Asparagus Operations, Othert products/ services. Many of of the employees are members in more than one Teams. Dole Asia will realize its 5-Year Plan through Teams and with Dole's concept of Teams, Teamwork, and leadership. Personally, I believe this is the best way to produce our vision, or any vision. effectively and efficiently.I agree with our Dole Asia President for this approach.



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(JPM: update, October 31, 1999)

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