Build Effective Teams

SBIR competition has many analogies to team sports competition - in fact, many consider SBIR competition to be a sport! In both, the skills and wits of one team are pitted against those of others. And in both, the objective is to win.

Winning sports teams have strength and balance at all positions. Similarly, a small business must strive to build an SBIR competition team with a complete set of required capabilities in order to win. Required skills may include (for example) science, technology, analysis, experimental methods and facilities, marketing, commercialization, business management (including legal and accounting), technical writing, proposal review and others. Deficiencies in even one of these areas can expose an Achilles heel that compromises a competition process, and prevents a win. Masters of SBIR competition draw on all resources available to assemble winning competition teams. University faculty and facilities are key partners in SBIR competition, especially in rural states. For example, all but two of the 37 Phase 1 awards to Wyoming small businesses have had a university connection. Other teaming resources include large and small businesses, consultants, outreach personnel, and others.

So, take advantage of available resources, and assemble a complete set of required resources. With each team member focusing on what he/she can CONTRIBUTE, and not being inordinately concerned with what they will RECEIVE from the activity, a coherent, effective and winning team will be developed.