For a business to run effectively, team members need to be on the same page. Agile communication helps with that. It’s the foundation for efficiency and effectiveness within a company. Agile communication is not always an easy feat for some businesses. However, at Modthink Marketing, we have found a way to successfully incorporate Agile communication tactics through the use of daily team meetings, or "scrums."
These are not meetings that simply bring members together for a few minutes only to walk away feeling like they’ve wasted their time or that the information discussed could’ve been addressed in an email. Rather, they are a time for members to organize their schedules and let the rest of their team of their progress.
During scrum meetings, your team members spend the first 10-15 minutes of their workday addressing three different questions. At Modthink, this includes sharing with the group:
- What you did the day before
- What you are going to do today
- Any roadblocks that you need to overcome
Scrum Master
Once you have your team together, you need to have an idea of how to create and develop the conversation. To start, you need a leader of each meeting to facilitate.
At Modthink, a scrum meeting is usually led by a “scrum master” or, as the Modthink-ers like to put it, a “scrum lord.” The scrum master is someone who keeps the meeting on track so that the team can stay focused and on time.
This leader can be anyone: a graphic designer, a writer, an analyst, a paid media specialist, you name it! The only requirement is that they take ownership of the meeting.
One by one, they address each person on the call, listen to each person’s response, and acknowledge each response.
Increasing Accountability
Each person sitting in on the team meeting needs to have something to share.
No one wants to be that person who says they didn’t do anything the previous day, but even if they weren’t as productive as they would have liked, that’s something to share with the team.
Scrum meetings also allow everyone else to know if a particular person has had a busier day and may need some help or space to get work done.
For this reason, it’s recommended that no one leave the conversation until after everyone has said their part. Agile communication requires a sort of controlled foundation so that chaos does not have the chance to spring forth.
Tackling Roadblocks
Members will each have the opportunity to ask questions and receive help if needed. This is why the last topic in a scrum meeting is meant to address any roadblocks in team members' way. More often than not, teams are able to tackle the roadblocks right then and there in the scrum.
Providing an environment for your team to feel safe in the fact that they may not always know the answers will increase their comfort with vulnerability. With this openness, new concepts will be learned and new ideas will formulate.
Daily meetings do not always have to be in person. Utilizing webinar platforms (e.g. Zoom) can bring members together whether they’re near or far.
This means that someone could be walking to their car, sitting in the office, driving, or doing whatever else and still be part of the conversation.
From the Modthinkers Themselves
At the end of each meeting, there is an opportunity to talk about items outside of daily tasks and project completion. As mentioned before, the point of the meeting is to discuss each person’s accomplishments, to-dos, and roadblocks. However, if the meeting is efficient and there’s time for off-topic discussion, it is highly encouraged.
With these off-scrum conversations, team members can express ideas, ask another team member a specific question, and so on. From there, a game plan is established for your team to deliver the best possible results.
Increase Communication with Scrums
Agile communication essentially gives your team an edge when it comes to their ability to work efficiently and effectively.
Scrum meetings are part of that edge. Once members know the plan, the position of their teammates, and their own placement on a project, great things will happen for your company— from gaining new clients to creating valuable products.
Want to give a scrum meeting a try? Reach out to us here at Modthink, and our team would be more than happy to answer your questions and get you started on the road to better communication.
