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Service Industry Daily Huddle Example
ImageFIRST is an excellent example of how a larger company successfully executes daily huddles. They are the largest and fastest-growing provider of healthcare laundry services to medical practices throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. They have 36 locations and over 600 trained associates, so their business is very complex, but they still find value in a simple tool like a daily huddle. I contacted Yoli Smith, the Regional HR Generalist based in Atlanta, to learn more.
Why a Daily Huddle?
Daily Huddles are part of ImageFIRST's culture. They are our opportunity to get to know the associates and listen to their concerns, ideas, and opinions. It is one of the things that makes us different.
The Benefits:
The most significant benefit we've seen from Daily Huddles is that it builds trust among all associates.
Huddle Tips:
It is a HUGE commitment. Don’t start them if you can't keep them going. Also, it would be best if you defined their purpose of them; otherwise, they can turn into something completely different.
Standing up in meetings can reduce your meeting times by up to 25%, keeping everyone streamlined and on their way toward hitting their goals.
Source: meetingnotes.com
Consumer Goods Daily Huddle Example
I contacted Vic Kennet, Founder/CEO of Kerusso, a leading Christian clothing company selling to over 100 countries and over 5,000 retailers, to learn more about how his team implements daily huddles. Vic uses his daily huddle meeting for department leaders to share any core values sightings, sync up on what each person is working on (including the top priority for the day), communicate yesterday’s result on each department's daily number, and let the team know if anyone is stuck. Following this department leader huddle, some leaders have a separate huddle for their teams. Vic encourages the team to stand so they don’t get too comfortable and emphasize the purpose of the meeting: to share information and expose issues, reducing the need for pop-up meetings, unscheduled interruptions, and lots of back-and-forth emails. That's showing level 5 leadership.
Here's what Vic had to say about the daily huddle rhythm in his company:
Why Daily Huddle?
When I re-upped my commitment to implementing Rhythm at Kerusso, I knew the daily huddle should be part of that foundation. I, too, like most leaders who learn about the daily huddle rhythm, was also skeptical about its frequency and the "alleged" impact it would have on our company. I didn't think we had a problem to solve; I just knew it was part of the recommended plan and thought I better try what the Dr. had prescribed, and I am thrilled I did!
The Benefits:
We've experienced several cool things since implementing daily huddles throughout all departments.
The first thing that comes to mind is a stronger sense of community. Most people in your company want to be part of what's going on and know how their role impacts the whole. Huddles are helping them feel more connected here at Kerusso.
The second thing is simply awareness. I see it all the time in my daily department heads' huddle: little pieces of information that come up in our "what’s on your plate today" portion that has clued someone in on an activity that has stopped confusion or redundancy—which saves time, money, and frustration.
Daily Huddle Pro Tip:
As we all know, perfect is the enemy of "good," and good is way better than not!
Your first couple of huddles may look like a newborn moose trying to walk for the first time – but don't let that stop you from getting started.
Set your huddle plan, and just get started! You'll work out the kinks as you go.
Healthcare Daily Team Huddle Template
After hearing from Vic, I contacted Carl Gilbert, Vice President of Member Services Operations at WellDyneRx, which provides full-service prescription drug management between patients and drug plans. Their huddle follows our standard recommended agenda of sharing victories from yesterday, priorities for today, and stucks.
Here's what Carl had to say about the daily huddle rhythm in his company:
Why Have a Daily Huddle Meeting?
We implemented daily huddles to provide more frequent communication and information sharing among leaders, starting with our Executive Leadership Team. The huddles have truly improved information sharing between leaders, and we have identified several processes that have improved how we operate and manage the business.
The Benefits of a Daily Team Huddle:
One of the most significant benefits of our daily huddle is hearing about victories from each leader. Companies typically focus a great deal of energy on what's not going well and how to improve, and the huddles help leaders remember there are many victories we should celebrate while also improving opportunity areas. Daily huddles also allow our team to share "stuck" items and identify what or who is needed to help resolve the thing. Daily huddles prove that teams can provide critical updates and accomplish a great deal in 10-15 minutes.
Daily Huddle Tips and Tricks:
Here are tips I would extend to others looking to implement daily huddles:
- We have found that allowing each leader to cover victories and priorities first, followed by covering "stuck" items at the end, is a more efficient and effective use of the time.
- It is critically important that the team understands that daily huddles are not meant to solve all shared issues. The huddles allow leaders to share situations where they need help from someone else, and the group can help identify who or what is required. The actual solution to the issue will take place outside of the meeting.
- Set expectations up front for attendance, being prompt, and starting on time regardless of who is late.
- Reminding everyone to stand during the daily huddles indeed reinforces the time commitment of 10-15 minutes (even those who attend remotely).
- Daily huddle questions are meant to spark discussion. Still, the resolution should often occur in a side conversation directly after the daily huddle unless it affects the whole team.
- To keep it an effective meeting, take issues offline and avoid bogging down the daily huddle meeting. You can also maintain historical records in your project management or Rhythm strategic execution software.
- Morning Huddles often work best as they are a great way to start the day and ensure the entire team is ready to attack the day while driving employee engagement.
- Virtual huddle boards can also allow all team members to be on the same page.
Hopefully, these leaders have inspired you to implement or improve your daily huddle rhythms and improve your weekly team meeting. Leave a comment if you have tips or ideas to share.