In a recent article on Forbes.com, Marc Compeau, Director, Reh Center For Entrepreneurship at the Clarkson School Of Business discusses effective team management:

As the manager of a diverse team I have found the absolute best way to increase productivity is to take the time to provide very clear expectations up front.  So much time is wasted working on projects that, while perhaps worthy, don’t move the organization in the direction it needs to move.

Our 30-minute (maximum) meeting agenda is always the same:

• What did you accomplish last week?
• What will you accomplish next week?
• What do you need from any other member of the team?

The outcome of this approach is highly efficient team that enjoys their work because they know what is expected, they know how they contribute and there is tremendous freedom and independence—as long as the weekly report is a good one.

We know that many customers of ours find that Teamly is the perfect way for teams to commit to, share, track and report on accomplishments. Sign up for a free Teamly account and start managing your priorities using our web based software.

At a panel discussion on employee equity in San Francisco last week the discussion turned to transparency within companies. Philip Rosedale, founder of Linden Lab (makers of Second Life) told the audience what he did when he was CEO to get feedback on his own performance.

Every quarter he sent out an anonymous survey to all his employees:

1. Should I still be the CEO?
2. Am I getting better or worse at the job?
3. Why?

The results of 1 and 2 would be published, and he’d read all the answers to number 3. I think that’s a great way to keep the CEO grounded, and whether you’re running a company with employees, or a non-profit with members, the CEO should be listening to all constituents. Boards of directors can be very cosy and it’s sometimes difficult for people to be honest in that situation, but unedited anonymous feedback from rank and file will tell it like it is!

How many CEOs are brave enough to do this? What other methods work for getting open feedback?

Support Teamly and vote for us in the “Best Business or Enterprise Startup” category!

Held annually, The Europas are the main European Awards for early stage Internet and Mobile technology startups and Teamly has been shortlisted for the second year running! The winners are selected by a combination of an expert Advisory Board (which changes every year) and voting by the industry itself. The whole thing comes together on a special awards night in London, on November 17.

We’re delighted to be winners in two amazing awards for rising stars of business!

But we need your support, please vote for us in the Future 50 People’s Choice award!

Real Business magazine’s Future 50 is their selection of the most innovative and creative young businesses in the UK.

As well as the kudos this recognition brings we also will enjoy a fully stocked Red Bull “energy station” (also known as a fridge!) for our office, a selection of business books from Penguin, and a visit to Red Bull’s Formula 1 racing factory.

We also were a winner in the Smarta 100, a celebration of the most resourceful, original, exciting and disruptive small businesses in the UK.

Thanks for the recognition and encouragement… we’re thrilled!!