Effective teamwork is an imperative factor that significantly contributes to the success of an organization. This is because a team with effective cooperation achieves much more than an individual could (Shouvik Sanyal, 2018). When comparing Verizon Communications Inc. and the Metropolitan College, the two companies are similar in that they have cross-functional teams but differ in the effectiveness of these teams. Primarily, Verizon Communications Inc. is in the mass media and telecommunication industry that uses cross-functional teams working towards a common goal to ensure high quality production (Gregory, 2017). On the other hand, Metropolitan College is in the education industry, whereby two of its staff exhibit poor teamwork that compromises the presentation and approval of an essential project for the college (Cerias, 2019).

Teamwork in Verizon Communications Inc. is considered an imperative and mandatory factor. Moreover, it comprises the five salient features of the organizational culture. These characteristics include quality and reliability, value driven foundation, customer centricity, excellence, and teamwork. Incorporating teamwork in the corporation’s culture shows how crucial effective collaboration is essential to the success and performance of the organization (Gregory, 2017). Since the organization uses an operation based and divisional organizational structure, cross-functional and divisional teams are used. In most cases, teamwork is encouraged in areas such as R&D, infrastructure maintenance, and problem solving. For instance, Verizon Wireless, a subsidiary, uses only work teams when conducting the improvement and maintenance of telecommunication infrastructure.

The case study uses the two staff, Julia and Kelly, to demonstrate poor teamwork and the negative impact of their actions on the success and approval of the project. To improve teamwork in Verizon Communications Inc., leaders must assume their role and act as role models as well as proprietors of culture and values such as teamwork. In addition, work teams should have ground rules and should have excellent team communication. If Julie and Kelly communicated effectively, they would have developed the interview questions together (Cerias, 2019). Verizon Communications Inc. has significant teamwork initiatives; however, to improve and strengthen the collaboration, the company should set aside time for work teams to have team-building exercises and company-sponsored retreats (Gregory, 2017). These will ensure team members are familiar with each other while identifying potential challenges, strengths, and effective conflict resolution strategies. Understanding each member’s strengths and weaknesses can help team members’ complement each other, increase productivity and performance while minimizing conflicts (Shouvik Sanyal, 2018).

References

Cerias. (2019). Case Study in Teamwork: Metropolitan College. Retrieved from CERIAS : https://www.cerias.purdue.edu/site/education/post_secondary_education/past_offerings/curriculum_development/ethical_social_prof_issues/case_study_ghafarian.php

Gregory, L. (2017, August 19). Verizon’s Organizational Culture of Quality in Performance. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/verizon-organizational-culture-quality-performance#targetText=Teamwork.&targetText=Teamwork%20is%20significant%20in%20the,and%20maintaining%20its%20telecommunications%20infrastructure.

Shouvik Sanyal, M. W. (2018). The Impact of Teamwork on Work Performance of Employees: A Study of Faculty Members in Dhofar University. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, Vol 20 (3) pp: 15-22.