The job market is full of chances for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a while. Companies need all sorts of people to fill different roles, from entry-level positions to niche jobs in various industries.
But here’s the thing: at times, companies try to tackle projects with huge teams, thinking it’ll get the job done faster and better. Surprisingly, that’s not always the case. Big teams can actually struggle to deliver quality work on time.
This challenges the idea that bigger teams are always better. Maybe, instead of packing a project with tons of people, we should consider a less-is-more approach. Smaller teams might actually be more productive and come up with more efficient solutions. It’s definitely something for business leaders to think about.
Joshua Northcott, the CTO and co-founder of Hounder, seconds this idea. Instead of hiring a big team, he believes in keeping things small and focused. With a team of about ten skilled individuals and clients like Esri, Adobe, and UL, the firm is on track to become a top player in digital services in North America.
But are small teams really better in action? Data and research say yes.
Going small can lead to big gains in efficiency and efficacy. Gallup’s 2013 report revealed that 42% of employees in companies with 10 or fewer workers were engaged, compared to only 30% in larger companies. The Ringelmann Effect, named after French professor Maximilien Ringelmann, also shows that individual productivity declines as group size increases.
Larger teams can suffer from a lack of coordination and focus, making it essential to opt for more nimble, agile units. Having only a small number of people working makes it easier to communicate, creating a synergy of creativity and dedication.
At Hounder, Joshua encourages communication and engagement among his tightly-knit team. Everyone is connected through meetings and conveniently designed office spaces. Since each team member is a domain expert, everyone learns from each other and engages in mentor-mentee relationships.
Small teams not only enhance productivity and motivation but also align more closely with a company’s vision and objectives.
In its web series “Off Leash,” the Hounder team exemplifies this, as it can be seen working together in harmony without long chains of command and open resources. The team fulfills the company’s vision of providing “Fortune 100,” excellence with its organized work structure.
Joshua also remarks on the team’s collaboration and how they complete the task on time without compromising quality. Working in a small team allows everyone to show their resourceful sides when facing an issue and deliver their best to help achieve collective goals.
All in all, in a tightly-knit team, where the sum is greater than its parts, each member brings their A-game to complete projects with ease and precision. Joshua Northcott’s Hounder proves this effectively. With a small team and significant wins, the company demonstrates that less is more.
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