You're leading a lengthy digital strategy project. How can you keep your team members engaged and focused?

Too often, the simple SMART framework is the best solution but is overlooked. For lengthy projects, I personally prefer well-set OKRs, as they are easier to understand and take action on at a project level.

To keep your team engaged and on track during a long digital strategy project, focus on clear communication, set achievable goals, encourage teamwork, celebrate successes, and provide regular feedback. Make sure everyone knows their role and feels valued for their contributions.

From my experience, I can attest to the importance of breaking down a long-term digital strategy into smaller, actionable goals. When I was working on a comprehensive communication strategy, it was essential to break it into manageable parts. Each small objective was tied to a specific milestone in our timeline, making it easier to track progress and keep the team motivated.

Give the project and therefore the team a clear north star goal. That way the direction is very clear. Any suggested ideas, new approaches, new channels can all be cross referenced against 1 key question... "Will this move us closer or further away from our goal?"

Establishing clear, concise, and achievable goals is crucial for maintaining team engagement and focus. Begin by outlining the project's objectives and breaking them down into smaller, manageable milestones. Ensure each team member understands their role and how their contributions align with the overall project goals. Regularly revisit and communicate these goals to keep everyone on track. By setting clear expectations and providing a roadmap, you create a sense of purpose and direction that helps sustain motivation and productivity throughout the project's duration.

Having a culture that fosters open feedback is definitely the way to go. NVIDIA's CEO recently mentioned he is against one-on-one meetings because anything he says can be valuable to many people at the same time, allowing him to have a team of 60+ people directly reporting to him.

Continuous feedback is a key component of my leadership approach. I schedule weekly check-ins with team members to discuss progress, address challenges, and provide constructive feedback. This open line of communication helps prevent issues from escalating and keeps the team motivated.

In my experience, to enhance team engagement in a lengthy digital strategy project, embrace a flexible workflow that acknowledges the dynamic nature of digital projects. Empower your team to innovate and pivot when needed, fostering an environment where creativity thrives and solutions are born. By entrusting them with the autonomy to experiment and manage their own time effectively, you not only nurture their professional growth but also cultivate a deeper commitment to achieving the project's goals. This adaptable approach ensures your team remains resilient and motivated, driving success in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

In these type of lengthy projects with pre-established status meetings, I sometimes like to use one of the status meetings to ask the questions: what do we need to do differently? What is not working? It's important to ask these questions, because sometimes we are so immersed into the task or project, that we don't take the time to step back and question methods. And then as I ask, if nobody dares to speak up, I may throw the first aspect that I think should be improved or things we need to do differently. If I don't have any, I ask follow up questions more targeted to the directions we're taking.

In my 5+ years of career and team management being flexible in how you work can make your team more engaged. Digital strategy projects often change direction, so letting your team adapt without strict rules helps them stay resilient and agile. Encourage team members to make decisions and manage their own time. This approach can boost their job satisfaction and commitment to the project’s goals.

In my 14 years in digital, to keep the team engaged and intellectually stimulated, I integrate learning opportunities into our project timeline. Whether it’s a workshop, a guest speaker, or access to a new course, continuous learning keeps the team excited and curious.

Team bonding indirectly illustrates the team power. Some of the initiatives that can help improving the team engagement are: Regular Social Activities: Virtual coffee breaks, online games, themed meetings. Shared Experiences: Volunteer virtually, attend online events, plan outdoor activities (if feasible). Peer Recognition: "Kudos" channels, monthly awards, milestone celebrations. Supportive Environment: Open communication, celebrate diversity, mentorship programs. Personal Touches: Birthday celebrations, interest groups, team-building exercises.

Team bonding is a complex subject. Bonding doesn’t need to fall under the umbrella of "dark perks," where it just becomes a get-together around drinks or food and is called a day. In my experience, the best bonding experiences involve activities that encourage communication and collaboration across different hierarchy levels through playful games outside the workplace.

Bonding within a team goes beyond just work-related interactions or occasional afterwork beers. It’s about genuinely caring for one another in multiple aspects of life. In my experience, fostering a supportive environment where team members feel valued both professionally and personally makes a significant difference.

When we completed the initial phase of our digital strategy, we held a small virtual celebration. We acknowledged each team member’s contributions and shared some fun moments. This practice of recognizing efforts and celebrating progress helped reinforce the value of everyone’s hard work and dedication.

Celebrar entregas e atingir marcos é crucial para o envolvimento da equipe em projetos de marketing. Reconhecer e valorizar conquistas aumenta a motiva??o e o moral, fortalece os la?os da equipe e estabelece padr?es de desempenho. As comemora??es também oferecem oportunidades para reflex?o, aprendizado e comunica??o aberta, promovendo transparência e alinhamento com os objetivos organizacionais. Ao criar uma cultura de celebra??o, as equipes s?o incentivadas a inovar, tomar riscos e trabalhar juntas para alcan?ar o sucesso contínuo. Além disso, comemorar marcos atrai e retém talentos, demonstrando que o trabalho árduo e as contribui??es s?o valorizados.

Incorporate regular, short breaks into the team's workflow. Scheduled breaks help prevent burnout and maintain productivity. Encouraging team members to step away from their work for a few minutes can lead to a refreshed mind and renewed focus. This simple practice can enhance overall well-being, making it easier for the team to stay engaged and motivated throughout the digital strategy project.

Celebrating milestones can lift your team’s spirits and keep things moving. Set milestones in your digital strategy project to track progress and success. Celebrate these achievements, even the small ones, to show you appreciate your team’s hard work. Or atleast motivate with them good work after every completion.

Use collaborative tools and platforms to streamline workflow and make it easier for team members to work together and share information. Hold regular brainstorming sessions to gather new ideas and perspectives. This keeps creativity flowing and everyone engaged. Empower team members by giving them ownership of specific tasks or projects. This increases their sense of responsibility and commitment.