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In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of business, a company’s success often hinges on its teams’ effectiveness. Operational strategies shape these teams into efficient, cohesive units that meet organizational goals.
The foundation of a successful team lies in clear, well-defined objectives and expectations: “Teams need to know what’s expected of them, both in the short-term and the long-term,” says Racquel Balkaran, Director of Operations, at Trove Partners.
“Setting clear goals provides direction and purpose, essential for maintaining focus and motivation.”
Racquel stands out as a multifaceted professional in New York City’s dynamic real estate and operational management sectors.
She has been instrumental as the Director of Operations and Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, contributing significantly to her team and their rebranding.
Racquel can skillfully manage a company’s operations, ensuring optimal employee productivity and overseeing all transactions and client interactions, and was pivotal in operational system development and process implementation.
As well as working in real estate, Racquel has also spent time as an Executive Assistant at CreateMe, a tech start-up focused on apparel manufacturing innovation.
She says effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful team. This involves regularly disseminating information and ensuring open channels for feedback and ideas: “We encourage open dialogues, where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. This has led to more collaborative and innovative solutions.”
Racquel also believes technology is crucial in team operations in today’s digital age. The right technological tools can significantly enhance team efficiency: “Technology allows us to streamline our processes, keep everyone on the same page, and save valuable time.”
She adds: “We’ve developed an extensive database to ensure we possess all the essential information required for our real estate transactions.”
Empowering the agents and employees is also key to running a successful team and fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. This involves delegating authority and trusting team members to make decisions.
“When people feel trusted and valued, they are more engaged and committed to the team’s success,” explains Racquel.
A successful team is also one that continually evolves and adapts. Encouraging continuous learning and professional development is essential: “We invest in our team’s growth, providing them with opportunities to learn new skills and advance their knowledge,” Racquel says.
“This not only benefits the individual but also enriches the team as a whole.”
She also cites collaboration as a cornerstone of team success: “Creating an environment where team members can collaborate, share ideas, and combine their strengths is vital.”
Conflict is inevitable in any team. However, how these conflicts are handled makes the difference.
To alleviate situations escalating, she advises introducing recognition and rewards as powerful motivators: “Acknowledging individual and team achievements reinforces positive behavior and boosts morale,” says Racquel.
Regular performance reviews and constructive feedback are also essential for personal and team growth: “Feedback sessions are not just about pointing out areas for improvement but also about celebrating successes and setting new goals,” explains Racquel.
Adapting to change is another critical aspect of a successful team. “We live in a dynamic world. Our teams are trained to be flexible and adaptable, to embrace change rather than resist it,” she says.
“Encouraging diverse and inclusive teams is important because they can bring various perspectives and ideas.”
Racquel adds this dynamic can foster innovation and creativity: “We focus on creating a diverse and inclusive environment, where everyone feels valued and respected.”
Understanding and leveraging the individual strengths of team members is key.
“We assess each team member’s strengths and align their roles accordingly. This approach leads to better performance and higher job satisfaction,” Racquel explains.
When it comes to productivity and profitability, a successful team never loses sight of the customer: “Everything we do, every strategy we implement, is ultimately about delivering value to our customers,” Racquel says.
But she admits that effective leadership is often critical to guiding and shaping a successful team: “Leaders set the tone. They need to be visionaries, motivators, and role models,” she adds.
“The leader’s role extends beyond just managing; it’s about inspiring and leading by example. I’d describe myself as professional yet approachable. I’m adaptable, balancing the need to be assertive with understanding and building strong community relationships. I encourage these values in the people on my team.”
Jason Wrubel worked with Racquel at CreateMe, when they reported to the CEO.
Citing her as generous, kind, and supportive, he reveals that Racquel showcased all the essential skills of an indispensable Director Of Operations: “She’s willing to have difficult conversations and provide direct feedback as well as care about people’s reactions.”
Jason adds: “She has strong people skills. Her role required her to interact with many different personalities that weren’t always easy to deal with, yet she was able to establish strong relationships across the company.”
Jason says Racquel was also detail-oriented, a collaborative problem solver, and eager to support them when they worked together.
He recalls: “Racquel was able to humanize what could sometimes be a very transactional environment at a fast-growing startup company. She also served as a check and balance against some of the decisions that were being made that might not have followed the best process.”
Jason concludes: “She helped our company implement needed corporate structure and governance. I often worked with her to implement contract management systems, management planning processes and retrospectives. She often worked alongside my operations team to ensure the company had sufficient processes and structure to thrive.”
Vib Prasad is a CEO as well as a Product Executive and Advisor. Citing Racquel as “diligent and conscientious” he says: “Racquel does not back down from new challenges and is always willing to take on something new. When we worked together she became a key person for many people in the company to get complex projects executed.”
He adds Racquel has an incredibly high level of personal integrity who appreciates a commitment to learning as well as attention to detail: “She became a role model to other employees on how to conduct oneself to advance in their own careers. Racquel is also attentive to details, and can observe interpersonal dynamics and meeting agendas that drive more effective communications.”
In conclusion, operational strategies form the blueprint for running a successful team. This multifaceted approach involves clear goal-setting, effective communication, technology utilization, team empowerment, and continuous growth.
By implementing these strategies, teams can navigate the complexities of the business world and emerge as victorious, cohesive units capable of achieving organizational goals.
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