I was listening to U2 this morning and it occurred to me that Bono would not be Bono without the rest of the band.

Sure, he is the front man, the focus of attention, but without the rest of the band, he is just a singer.

What makes U2 great is the collaboration of all the members of the band working together in harmony.

This is great example of teamwork. They have a plan, they support each other, they work together to create the results that we have come to admire and enjoy today.

No one person does it on their own without help. Every major personality, regardless of the business they are in has help from a team to get them to the top.

Examples such as Bono, he has a band behind him. Tiger Woods has a coach, a caddy, a manager, even a publicist.

Every politician has a manager and a staff. Every CEO has a group of VPs and managers to help achieve the goals the CEO and the company have set.

Every entrepreneur needs a team as well. Nobody does it alone.

Everyone Needs a Supporting Cast!

So this brings up the question:    Do you have a team?   Who is on your team?

Many people in business today lack the support they need to really get things done quickly and efficiently.

Now many might say “I don’t have the budget for a team”. If you are just starting your business this is most likely true. However, there are many ways to build a team.

There are resources available to the new business as well as one already established that you may have not yet considered.

• The SBA is a tremendous source for information when getting started or needing resources including financing.
• Your local SCORE chapter is another wonderful way to get help from mentors and local business professionals eager to help the new business person.
• The Rotary Club in your community is another fabulous place to meet professionals in your area, often providing the contacts you need to further your endeavors.
• Toastmasters can be a great place to meet others learning the skills you might need to excel for public speaking and presentations.
• Bartering can be a beneficial tool for both parties when looking for professionals needed to perform valuable tasks. Consider trading your skills in exchange for theirs.
• One of the most valuable, and yet most overlooked, ways to gain support for your project or business is to join a mastermind group. Mastermind groups provide ongoing support and the team you can turn to for anything that might come up as you move forward with your business.

Being part of a mastermind group gives you the advantage that most do not take time to develop. Having access to a small group dedicated to helping you achieve your goals outside of your management team can be an infinitely better source than any other group you can be a part of by far.

Surround yourself with the highest quality people you can find.

Whether part of your paid staff and management team or part of your network of business friends and contacts, always seek out the best people you can find. This habit will serve you well as you move forward and ensure the best results for you and your business.

Select your team members wisely and if you have a member not producing the results you require then move on to someone else sooner rather than later.

In today’s environment you cannot be complacent or stick with a poor performer because that person is a “friend”. You can always socialize with such a person, but there is no room on the team for poor results.

So create a team of high quality performers interested in the success of the project at hand.

A few people working together can achieve what one individual can only dream of.

It takes work to form a team and keep it working together, ask any NFL head coach, but when the team works well together you can win your own Super Bowl!