How to create collaboration around a shared vision

Declare the dream. If I am going to inspire you to join in my cause, I have to be committed enough to say it publically, say it often and measure against it. Each year at Cbeyond, we unite our teams around a theme that maps to our strategic imperatives. We call it the "Year Of ." This simple "rallying cry" supported by an ongoing communication of outcomes on metrics that we measure against provide our employees a link to what's important and how we are doing. It is a powerful way to align our efforts, unite the organization and achieve results at the same time. The "Year Of" theme introduces a shared vulnerability into the organization where we are all committed to a shared vision and shared possibility - from the CEO down to each individual contributor.

Match incentives to foster collaboration. At Cbeyond, every corporate employee gets a bonus, and we all share the same bonus goals. It's our way of ensuring that our incentives align with our focus, drive the behavior we want and create an environment that prizes collaboration. We're in it at the same time and it impacts our compensation. Period. Consider this: Our vision is to be a champion for small business and to deliver an experience that has them stay longer, buy more and refer others to us. To insure that happens, 20 percent of our bonuses are based on how our clients rank their satisfaction with Cbeyond. We turned our vision into a commitment and we aligned our culture, our focus and our compensation. As a result, how we serve our clients permeates conversations every day and in every department. It doesn't happen in every company and it isn't an accident that it happens at Cbeyond - our goal is "customer intimacy."

The founder

Jim Geiger is the founder, chairman, president and CEO of Cbeyond, a company that provides IT and communications services to small businesses throughout the United States and as well provided the world's first 100 percent VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) local phone network.