‍Welcome to this era of teams.

We are currently witnessing a transformation in how teamwork operates. Gone are the days when team meetings were confined to a conference room and lasted for an hour. What was once limited to boardrooms and prestigious halls now occurs seamlessly through Wi-Fi connections, transcending boundaries and time zones. Nowadays, it is common to witness global teammates come together for meetings regardless of their locations spread across twelve time zones, actively participating using various devices such as laptops, desktops, or phones. Traditional office meeting rooms have been replaced by interconnected Wi-Fi networks.

In the realm of software development, a type of meeting has created a substantial impact, known as stand-up meetings or scrum meetings. Initially limited to the realm of tech, this practice that enhances productivity has now started to make its way into other industries showing promising outcomes.

"The Scrum Master, the person in charge of running the process, asks each team member three questions: 1. What did you do yesterday to help the team finish the Sprint? 2. What will you do today to help the team finish the Sprint? 3. What obstacles are getting in the team's way? That's it. That's the whole meeting." ― Jeff Sutherland⁽¹⁾

Let us share some examples from our team coaching experience that perfectly illustrate these meetings' impact.

The energetic atmosphere at the call center

In the fast-paced environment of a call center, constant communication and synchronization among team members are vital. With young, hardworking professionals driving the operation, finding a meeting format that suited their busy schedules was quite challenging. That's where the stand-up meetings came into play.

Every morning supervisors and phone operators would gather for a scrum meeting. Instead of lengthy, formal discussions, the agenda was kept straightforward and focused. Each team member would briefly answer three questions in a few words not exceeding one minute:

• What tasks did I complete since yesterday's meeting?
• What tasks do I plan to accomplish today?
• Are there any obstacles hindering today's objectives?

Any topic requiring more than one minute would be discussed separately.

This daily brief interaction ensured everyone remained informed about their colleagues' assignments and challenges. The impact on the team's coordination, problem-solving skills, and overall performance was remarkable.

Weekly Updates at the Accounting Firm

Although it operates differently, the accounting firm experienced advantages by implementing stand-up meetings. The company opted for a weekly frequency to align with its operations rhythm and pace. These meetings would address three questions:

• What progress did you make last week?
• What are your plans for this week?
• Are there any obstacles in your way?

During these meetings, the management team and each department head would gather together. They would share their team's accomplishments from the previous week, outline their objectives for the current week and discuss any potential challenges they foresaw. The simplicity and focused nature of these stand-up meetings lasting no than fifteen minutes provided an efficient communication channel for the entire management team.

Benefits Extending Beyond Work

Stand-up meetings have proven to be particularly advantageous in today's work environment, where a significant portion of work is conducted remotely from home, and people only have the chance to gather all together in the office once or twice a week. These meetings serve a purpose. They are not solely business focused, but they also help maintain the crucial human connection that is often lost in a remote work environment.

Both the call center and accounting firm have enthusiastically embraced these stand-up meetings. They have created an atmosphere of openness and collaboration, enhanced productivity, and bridged the gap between remote and in-office work.

Sometimes simplicity truly is more effective.

As organizations evolve and work patterns change, team collaboration must adapt accordingly. Adopting stand-up meetings in non-tech industries has proven their relevance and benefits. These meetings can significantly enhance team communication, collaboration, and productivity, whether conducted daily or weekly. It may be worth considering this efficient mode of communication for your team.

Note

^{(1 )} Jeff Sutherland, Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time

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