I have seen project engineers try to appeal to the "team spirit" of the suppliers and contractors brought into a project, expecting them to help solve a problem these entities did not create.  Further, in the meetings, the words are good, kind and supportive.

But don't forget, all those suppliers and contractors in your meeting have bosses, too.  Bosses to which they report as soon as they leave your big rah-rah meeting.

And should any of those team members be too caught up in your appeal, it is their boss' job to remind them who they work for.

Years ago, I worked at a mill where the projects were always in trouble, and the project engineers routinely dragged in the suppliers and such to give them a pep talk. The line was always the same, "Help us out on this project for the good of your long term relationship with the mill."

The problem was that this line was told to every team on every project.  Hence, it never came true. There was never a big payoff.  After a while, the best suppliers and contractors stopped bidding.  The mill was left with those who were desperate for work, the ones who did not do quality work.

Just remember, this is not like a ball team, that is gathered together from the four corners of the earth.  All of your team players are there to make money for their own company.

No, you really don't have a team.

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Jim presents Ed with the Engineering Manager of the Year for 2011.  (L - R) Matt Nilsen, Jim Thompson, Ed Kersey and Wayne South.  Nilsen is Account Manager and South is Business Development Manager for Kadant Black Clawson, underwriter of this year's award.  Ed Managed the construction of Pratt Industries Mill in Shreveport, Lousiana which took 13 months from piling to paper on the reel.  His reward?  they made him mill manager!

Kadant Black Clawson was a major sponsor of the 2011 Award.  Here, on the left,  Peter Flynn, President of Kadant Black Clawson, receives the company's duplicate of Ed's Award from Steve Roush, Publisher and Editor, Paperitalo Publications. 

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