This post was written by guest author Samantha Casey.

Having a dynamic team working with you is an incredible, powerful force which will only continue to benefit your business.  Sure, it is great to feel independently successful; to look up at your office building overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with an immaculate interior design, and a client roster so impressive Tony Robbins would be wowed and say,” That was all me!”

Yet, when having the dynamics of a team in place to help you reach and exceed your goals, you can propel your success forward in ways you wouldn’t have thought.

It begins here:  Formulating Your Power Group – creating a group of individuals you feel comfortable, inspired by, and ready to reach new levels with.  Let’s discuss the formula to building such a dynamic group:

Like Minded, Motivated, and Headed Forward

Creating your Power Group will be most beneficial when you find people who match your commitment, energy, vision, goals, and overall practice.

You may feel it best to have a Power Group of people from many different industries or backgrounds to bounce ideas, plans, and projects off of.  Bringing diversity to your Power Group can also help to gather perspectives that may have not been presented to you before.  Ideally, you want your Power Group to have the same vision for moving forward in business and to match your motivation.  This will also help you to stay on track towards your accomplishments and allow you to help your team achieve theirs as well.

Feels like Family

In my professional experience, I have found myself to be most successful when building solid relationships with those in my Power Group.  This is due to my Power Group being a group of individuals who, on top of having the same overall goals, motivations, and energy, are also helpful, supportive, and encouraging.  These are people I look to in moments of challenge for guidance, for thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  You may find this  to be beneficial for you, too.

Also, I feel safe with this group of individuals as I trust their opinions, advice, and input.  Considering these points when formulating your Power Group can also help you to feel energized knowing you have a group of people who want to see you succeed, are rooting for you, and are there to lend a helping hand when needed.

Brainstorming and Challenge

Another great point about Team Dynamics and formulating your Power Group is not only the availability to brainstorm with one another, but also in challenging one another to reach the next level.  This is where matching each other’s energy in the group is incredible.  When all parties involved share motivation, the group’s energy becomes unstoppable.

Having your Power Group as a resource for bouncing around new thoughts and ideas, while also challenging one another, can lead to even more opportunities than you originally created.  This allows new ideas to form, new ways of breaking boundaries to generate, and creating new successes for you and your team to benefit from.

Accountability

Your Power Group is also great for creating an agenda, dividing it amongst equal parties, and creating accountability structures to ensure you are on track.  For example, you may be the Sales and Marketing expert on your team and have created a Marketing Plan.  This plan may require the design of a website for your clientele; therefore, you bring a Graphic Designer on board.  You may also look to a professional to handle your Accounting, and an Assistant to handle your daily calendaring, emails, trips, etc.

Or, in another example, you may have a Power Group that consists of people who you meet with once a week via conference call to cover a topic of discussion the group had agreed to the week before.  Therefore, every week covers a specific topic/agenda of focus and each member equally participates on the call, and with discussing the given topic.

Team Dynamics in the form of a Power Group = empowerment, progress, productivity, and comradeship.  It is a win-win situation for all parties involved and will only add to your incredible victories as a professional.

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Samantha Casey is the founder and operator of Relentless Consulting Group, a firm that helps businesses and individuals market to the world. She is a blogger, reader, and networker with a passion for helping others and building strong brands. Follow Samantha on Twitter to find out more about her.

*Photo by wishymom

It’s the week before Easter and you probably have gone out and bought your bags of candy, your dye, or your little plastic eggs to hide around the house.  Good for you!  But, I bet there is one thing you haven’t done.  You probably haven’t thought about what the Easter Bunny would do if he ran a Twitter account, Facebook page, or a blog.  Well, don’t worry, I thought about it for you.

WARNING: There will be some very, very corny jokes in this article.  You have been warned…

Hop on board (Get it?)

Have you been wondering what its like to blog?  Or maybe you’ve thought about joining Google Buzz but you haven’t had the time.  Have you been dying to check out Foursquare?  If so, it’s time to hop on board.

Yes, I know you already have a Twitter account and a Facebook page.  And yes, it’s one more password type.  But it’s worth it.  You don’t know who is out there and how they can fill your needs if you don’t try something new.  Join Google Buzz or start a blog.  It just might spark the connection you’ve needed.

Also, more networks = more marketing.  It’s a simple equation.  The more you put your face, and business, out there, the more potential customers, clients, and partners you will reach.  Get on board and see where it goes.

Ham it up

People don’t like change.  And most people don’t like risk takers.  Well, you’re not out to please most people.  Your goals in social media are just that – your goals.  You need to do whatever it takes to achieve them, even if that means thinking – and doing – outside of the box.

When you’re going through your routine of checking Twitter, Facebook, and your blog comments, make sure you ham it up.  Be bold and show the world that you’re unique.  No one wants to follow someone who will give them the same information as the next guy.  Show your colors and see where it takes you.

Go on the hunt

Very rarely is one person equipped with the skills and expertise to guide themselves through the social media world.  Oftentimes, we need help.  For example, I’m not too strong when it comes to ROI or SEO.  That’s why I have connections with people who can share information regarding those two areas.  You need to connect with individuals who will help you achieve your goals.  But you need to find them first.

Go on the hunt for people who are willing to form mutually beneficial relationships.  They help you, you help them.  No one loses.  If you broadcast yourself as someone who is willing to help others, you will begin to form the relationships necessary for success.

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket (Double points!)

It’s cliche but it’s true.  When dealing with social media, don’t think you can make it by using one medium.  Sure, it would be great if you could be a self-employed blogger and never have to touch Twitter or Facebook to promote yourself.  Well, that’s not how it works.

When you put all of your efforts in to one area, you are depriving your potential clients and customers in another.  For example, I used to use Facebook to communicate.  I had a Twitter profile and I had about 80 followers, but I never used it.  A few months ago, I realized I was neglecting my Twitter relationships so I linked my Facebook account to my Twitter profile.  Now I can update Twitter and Facebook at one time, reaching both audiences.  Don’t deprive potential business partners just because you want to try and make it work with one medium.  Expand your borders and spread the love.

Drop the egg-scuses (I saved the worst for last!)

We’ve all had that conversation.  You know, the one where we are talking to a person and they just start complaining about life and their ill fate.  They’re giving excuses left and right and they think the world is out to get them.  You’ve been there but did you join them?

The Easter Bunny’s advice to you is to not join in.  When you join the complain game, your life is reduced to one big pile of negativity and that’s no way to please your customers and partners.  Drop the excuses and take ownership.  Realize that life happens and that no one is out to get you.  There is only one person who can dictate the success of your life: you.  Don’t have enough time to blog?  Make the time.  Don’t feel like learning LinkedIn?  Learn it anyway.

Roll with the punches and try your best.  You’re selling yourself short if you don’t.

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Eric Alpin is the Associate Editor of Folk Media and works for a telecommunications company in Baltimore, Md. He is a social media enthusiast, blogger, writer, and student with a passion for leadership and self-development strategies and techniques. Find out more about Eric on Twitter.

*Photo by donzeladef