Does the team work? Length: 25:00 min.

To ensure staff know the job they're doing, why they're doing it and how the work affects their colleagues.

In today's competitive environment people are busier than ever before, which is why it is essential that they really understand their role. This video, based on Belbin's new workset model, looks at the performance of the team aboard a science fiction-style space freighter which, like many businesses, is inexplicably heading off target. Belbin's unique system of color coding tasks makes it easier for teams to understand the nature of their work and how it contributes towards their objectives.

Managers must look at the team and identify 'pink' work - work which is unproductive and either mistakenly allocated or assumed to be part of the job. People must be encouraged to analyze what they are doing compared to what they are achieving - which should be the core results expected of the team.

Then staff, where appropriate, will be able to discard job descriptions and redefine themselves. The program highlights that they should pay special attention to the parts of their job which are classed as tasks (structured blue and reactive green work), and those which carry responsibilities (yellow decision-making and, more complex, orange work). These can be further classified as work best undertaken by individuals or shared efforts.

The result is a better organized team that completes its task, makes better use of time, and delivers more in terms of productivity and service. They're getting the freighter back on target.