Teamwork

The concept of teamwork is extremely important to the success of any team.  Teamwork and unselfishness create the backbone of a great team; without them a team cannot realistically compete. You can have a group of superstars, but if they do not work well as one unit, chances are they are not going to be as successful as you would think. The team working as one cohesive unit is going to be the key in their success.

Here are some things to take into consideration when you are looking at your team:

1. Does your team have agreed-upon goals they created as a team?
2. Do the members openly encourage and support one another?
3. Do they have open communication with one another, as well as the project manager?
4. Does each team member know what their role on the team is?
5. Is there mutual respect among the team and the project manager?
6. Do members use statements such as "we" when referring to the team, or is it more of an "every man for himself" mentality?
7. Have they created a positive team image for themselves?
8. Are the individual contributions of each player recognized?
9. Is the team as a whole committed to improving performance?
10. Does each member consider themselves as a "team player?"

A productive team has members that share common goals, a common vision and have some level of interdependence that requires both verbal and physical interaction. Teams come into existence through shared attitudes about a particular project. They may come together for a number of different reasons, but their goals are the same - to achieve peak performance and experience success. The ends may differ but the means by which one gets there is the same - teamwork. Every member of the team is accountable when it comes to teamwork.

This month's keystone class, Project and Team Management emphasizes these critical areas and attributes of teamwork. To succeed at the task in hand everyone involved needs to combine their efforts. If everyone does their job well, then it increases what the team can accomplish. This teamwork has to be recognized by everyone and know that great things can happen if individuals master the fundamentals and work together as one unit. Everyone has their own unique role, but each person's individual role must be recognised and appreciated.

Teamwork is something that must be a high priority and given constant attention. Every member needs to understand how important it is for them to work smoothly together if they want to be successful. Each member must be dedicated to the whole team and be willing to act unselfishly. When challenges arise (as they always do), the team needs to have the resources, accountability and commitment to deal with them in a constructive and positive manner. A sense of teamwork will play an integral part in this.

Everyone is familiar with the meaning of the acronym "T.E.A.M." - Together Everyone Achieves More!

Jaspal, (2011). The Importance of Teamwork. Retrieved on June 19, 2011 from http://gilygily.com/the-importance-of-teamwork.html

Building A Teamwork Culture

Agent vs. Manager?!?! (Tricks of the Trade)

As old as the entertainment industry is itself, the difference between an agent and a manager has been debated! Even the most seasoned artists are often confused as to: do I need an agent or a manager? When do I need an agent and/or manager?

An agent and a manager's job is equally important to an artist's career; the main objective of both is to get an artist work to make money. Although their core goal is synonymous, and their responsibilities can either be blurred or overlap, there are distinct differences between an agent and a manager.  So, how does the entertainment industry view the differences between an agent and a manager? Very distinctly. First of all, there is a difference between their tasks and responsibilities. An agent's primary function is simply to find an artist jobs...pretty cut and dry. They are generally members of the Screen Actors Guild or SAG, which regulates their responsibilities. Managers on the other hand navigate and manage every aspect of an artist's career and are not members of SAG. They often introduce an artist to an agent, accountant, publicist, attorney or anyone else pivotal in ensuring that their career is successful. Managers generally do not search out auditions or jobs for the artist; this responsibility lies with the agent.

Secondly, there is a difference in compensation. An agent's commission generally averages between 10-15% commission. A manager's commission generally averages between 15-20% commission. The variance in the commission scale is because of each party's role. As previously stated, an agent just provides jobs or gigs to the agent, the manager works much more closely and is an integral part of every aspect of the artist's career. Neither a legitimate agent nor a legitimate manager require that an artist pay any upfront fees or pay fees to either out of their pocket. Both are paid once an artist is paid from work that is performed. 

When an artist needs an agent or a manager is solely dependent on the artist's needs and the success of the artist. It is usually more likely that an artist is needed first to secure jobs. After an artist's career has reached a semblance of success, they look for a seasoned manager. 

As stated, both of these roles are an integral part of the entertainment industry and an artist's career. Knowing the difference between an agent and a manager is important for an artist to ensure the artist's success.

Aphter, Prior (2007). Yahoo! Contributor Network: The Differences Between a Talent Agent and a Talent Manager. Retrieved on June 01, 2011 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/352349/the_differences_between_a_talent_agent.html