Title SQUAD MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS SQUAD MANAGEMENT? The squad system was devised by our founder, Sir William Alexander Smith, to manage a large group of Boys. With senior Boys appointed as squad leaders, the officers can concentrate on important areas of the company. It is also a way to prepare senior Boys for greater responsibility. A good squad management makes a company more effective and efficient in its running.

IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 1. Boys will have more attention from their squad leaders especially in minor matters like polishing or loss of equipment. Imagine a Boy feeling “lost” when he does not know who to get a consent form from.

IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 2. Due to the limited size of a squad, more feedback can be received as each Boy will have a chance to share his view. Also, Boys prefer to speak to seniors whom they are closer to.

IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 3. Each Boy’s potential and short-comings can be identified easily and be dealt with effectively.

IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 4. Boys’ loyalty to the company can be established through building their loyalty to their squads first.

IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 5. Your Captain and officers can put more attention in important areas of the company.

BENEFITS OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 1. Boys’ loyalty to their squads is established and a better parade or church attendance is resulted.

BENEFITS OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 2. With better communications between the Boys and squad leaders, friendship rather than “rankship” is built. The unity of the squads and, eventually, the company as a whole will be strengthen too.

BENEFITS OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 3. A positive influence is exerted on the Boys. For example, a Boy may not be keen in a company event but since his squad friends is going, he may decide to join in.

BENEFITS OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 4. Massive administrative tasks can be simplified. For example, it will be much easier to collect consent forms at squad level than in company level.

BENEFITS OF SQUAD MANAGEMENT 5. A Boy can contribute to the company through his squad. For example, if all the squads achieve their BB week targets, the company target will also be reached. The Boys can be appreciated and encouraged by their squad leaders too!

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 1. Communicate a lot with your squad Boys and value their presence in the squad. Never give up on the difficult ones.

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 2. Call your Boys by their names. Failure to remember a Boy’s name after his sixth month in the Squad is just as good as saying, “I don’t bother much about you”.

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 3. Speak and act with much pleasure and generosity. Being impatient or harsh to a Boy will only make him feel rejected.

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 4. Get your Boys involved in squad planning or duty. Everybody likes to be needed by somebody!

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 5. Always place the feeling and interests of the Boys above yours. Remember that a leader must be prepared to sacrifice himself to do what he normally would not.

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 6. If any unhappiness breaks out, you must not lose your temper. Patch up with your Boy or you will lose his respect for you and, indirectly, motivate him to leave the company. More importantly, isn’t it part of our Christian manliness to forgive each other?

HOW TO MANAGE A SQUAD 7. Be a good example and a respectable squad leader to your Boys. Nothing can be more convincing than a good testimony to them.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 1. Organize squad outings, study groups or bible studies.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 2. Visit your squad Boys at their homes especially for regular absentees.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 3. Call up your squad Boys for chats. Do not talk about parade information only; a phone machine can do that too! It may be difficult to start the communication, but keep trying!

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 4. If possible, get the opinion of your squad before making a decision. Treat them as your team members and not subordinates.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 5. Update your squad on company information or events. When they know what is happening, they will be more excited, prepared or committed.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 6. Boost up the morale of your squad during parade games.

EFFICIENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH SQUAD UNITY 7. Produce squad T-shirts, flags or cheers if your company allows.