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While having the right team size is important for managing workload and ensuring the necessary resources are in place, simply increasing the number of team members will not automatically solve all problems. A larger team can bring more hands to the table, but it also introduces its own challenges, such as communication issues, coordination problems, and potential inefficiencies. The key to solving problems lies not in just adding more people but in ensuring that the team is properly structured, well-coordinated, and aligned with the overall objectives.

Here are a few important factors to consider regarding team size and problem-solving:

1. Quality Over Quantity

Having a larger team doesn’t necessarily translate into better outcomes. It’s more important to have the right mix of skills and expertise within the team rather than simply focusing on the number of people. A smaller, highly skilled team can often deliver better results than a larger, less experienced one.

Specialized Skills:
Rather than adding more people, focus on ensuring that each team member has the necessary expertise to handle the specific challenges at hand. A smaller team with specialized knowledge in key areas, such as system administration, network management, or software development, can often address complex problems more effectively than a larger, more generalized group.
Effective Leadership:
A strong leadership structure is crucial in any team, regardless of size. A well-organized, cohesive team with clear goals and strong leadership will outperform a large, disjointed team with unclear responsibilities. By focusing on quality leadership and ensuring clear communication, even a small team can accomplish great things.

2. Communication Challenges

As team size grows, so does the complexity of communication. Larger teams require more time and effort to keep everyone on the same page. Miscommunication can lead to delays, duplicated efforts, and confusion.

Coordination and Collaboration:
It’s not just about having more people; it’s about ensuring effective communication and collaboration. In larger teams, breaking down silos and encouraging cross-functional communication is key. In smaller teams, communication tends to be more fluid, but it’s still essential to maintain clarity in every project or task.
Tools and Processes:
To overcome the communication challenges of a large team, investing in the right tools and processes is essential. This could include project management software, collaboration tools, and regular check-ins to keep everyone aligned. Regular meetings and a culture of open communication can also mitigate the challenges of a growing team.

3. Balancing Workload and Efficiency

Increasing team size can sometimes lead to inefficiencies, especially if responsibilities are not clearly defined. More people can create more overlap, and tasks can get bogged down in micromanagement or redundancy.

Clearly Defined Roles:
It’s crucial to ensure that each team member has a clear understanding of their specific responsibilities. As the team size increases, the potential for role ambiguity increases as well. This can cause confusion about who is accountable for specific tasks. By maintaining a well-organized structure with defined roles and responsibilities, the team can operate more efficiently, even with more members.
Scalable Processes:
The processes and workflows that worked for a smaller team may not be as effective for a larger team. As the team grows, processes must evolve to accommodate the larger size and complexity of projects. Regularly reassessing workflows and implementing scalable systems can help mitigate the risks associated with larger teams.

4. Cultivating Team Cohesion

A larger team can sometimes struggle with cohesion, as team members may not interact with one another as closely. This can lead to issues with collaboration, morale, and team culture.

Fostering Collaboration:
Regardless of size, team cohesion is critical for effective problem-solving. Encouraging collaboration and creating a culture of mutual respect and shared goals will help ensure that everyone is working toward the same objectives. Smaller teams often have an advantage in this area because the interpersonal dynamics are simpler, but the challenge is to maintain that sense of cohesion as the team grows.
Regular Team-Building:
Whether you have a small or large team, regular team-building activities are essential for maintaining morale and fostering a collaborative spirit. These can include informal meetups, workshops, or team-building exercises designed to build trust and strengthen relationships among team members.

5. Innovation and Agility

A smaller team is often more agile and capable of innovating quickly. Larger teams, on the other hand, can become bogged down in bureaucracy and slower decision-making.

Encouraging Innovation:
In smaller teams, there’s often more room for creative problem-solving and experimentation. Larger teams must work harder to foster innovation by encouraging input from all members and breaking down hierarchical barriers that may stifle creativity. Innovation isn’t about the size of the team; it’s about creating an environment where ideas can flow freely and team members are empowered to contribute their thoughts and expertise.
Flexibility in Adapting to Change:
Smaller teams are usually more adaptable to change because they don’t have the overhead and complexity of larger teams. However, larger teams can also be flexible if processes are put in place to enable quick decision-making and the delegation of authority.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance

While team size plays a role in managing workloads and tackling projects, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Increasing team size won’t automatically solve problems, and in some cases, it can introduce new challenges. What truly matters is ensuring that the team structure, communication, coordination, and leadership are aligned with the goals at hand.

The most effective teams aren’t necessarily the largest—they are the most cohesive, well-organized, and adaptable. Whether you have a small team or a large one, success lies in understanding how to leverage each team member’s strengths, creating clear processes, and fostering a collaborative culture that encourages problem-solving and innovation. By focusing on quality, communication, and flexibility, even a small team can achieve remarkable results.

Freddo Kresna Tjoenedi’s journey into the world of technology and business was marked by key educational experiences that not only honed his technical expertise but also helped him develop a deep understanding of the intersection between technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. From his early days in school to his university years, these milestones played a pivotal role in shaping the path he would eventually take.

Early Academic Foundations and Exposure

Growing up in a merchant family in Kediri, Freddo was always exposed to the mechanics of business. However, it was his formal education that provided him with the intellectual foundation to build on. He began his academic journey at St. Yoseph Elementary School, where he developed a love for learning. This was the beginning of a lifelong curiosity about systems, technology, and problem-solving.

At SMPK Petra Kediri (Junior High School), Freddo’s passion for logical thinking began to manifest. While he was drawn to science and technology, Freddo encountered some challenges in mathematics, particularly in subjects like calculus and statistics. Despite these struggles, he remained persistent, which laid the groundwork for his resilience and ability to overcome challenges—a theme that would resonate throughout his life.

High School Challenges and Early Leadership

During his time at SMUK St. Augustinus Kediri, Freddo majored in Social Sciences (IPS), a choice that helped him develop a broader understanding of the world around him. Although he struggled with advanced mathematics, particularly calculus and statistics, he was determined to catch up. Despite an initial GPA of 1.6, Freddo’s work ethic pushed him to improve, and he eventually managed to overcome the academic difficulties that initially seemed insurmountable. This experience taught him invaluable lessons in persistence and adaptability.

High school also provided Freddo with early leadership opportunities, as he became involved in various school organizations. His leadership skills, honed during this time, would later help him in his professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.

University Education and Internships

Freddo’s journey took a significant turn when he enrolled at Widya Kartika University in Surabaya to study computer science and information technology. Initially, his academic performance reflected the challenges he faced, but his experience in university would prove to be transformative.

In semester 3, Freddo landed his first internship as an assistant manager at a contractor company specializing in railway construction. This exposure to project management and operations was a crucial experience that broadened his perspective on business and technology. Freddo’s time in this role gave him practical insights into how technology could streamline complex projects and operations—an important realization that would guide his future decisions.

By semester 5, Freddo shifted gears and joined CV Sentra Teknik Indonesia (STI) as a junior programmer, further solidifying his interest in programming and software development. It was here that he began to realize his dream of one day owning a software house. The combination of his academic studies and real-world programming experience in these roles provided him with a solid foundation for his future ventures.

Freelancing and Early Entrepreneurship

While pursuing his degree, Freddo Kresna Tjoenedi began taking on freelance projects, marking his first steps toward entrepreneurship. He worked with notable clients such as Sido Gede Transport in Surabaya, Duval Cosmetics in Surabaya, and Plaza Mulia in Samarinda, gaining hands-on experience in software development and business operations. These early projects gave him the confidence to pursue his dream of creating his own software house, though he knew he needed more knowledge and capital to bring this vision to life.

In addition to his technical work, Freddo became increasingly interested in the broader aspects of business management. He spent significant time reading books on topics such as MBA programs, investment, accounting, and other essential business practices. These readings helped him expand his knowledge and gave him insights into strategic business planning, financial management, and investment opportunities. The more he learned, the clearer his vision of running his own business became.

Freddo’s entrepreneurial spirit was also evident in his self-taught mastery of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques. He applied these strategies to help his freelancing business grow and gain more visibility online. Notably, he successfully got his website listed on the first page for “Jasa Pembuatan Website” (website creation services), a remarkable accomplishment that demonstrated his growing expertise in digital marketing and promotion.

During his time at Widya Kartika University, Freddo also developed his leadership skills. He served as a member and later chief of HIMATIKA (the Computer Science Students Association) and the Chief of the Student Legislative Body (BLM). These roles helped him gain practical experience in managing teams, organizing events, and representing student interests—skills that would later serve him well in his career.

This period of Freddo’s life was marked by the integration of technical skills with entrepreneurial know-how, as he gained not only a deeper understanding of business management but also a solid grasp of marketing, SEO, and promotion, all of which would serve as stepping stones toward building his future business ventures.

Graduation, Realization, and Skripsi

By 2011, Freddo graduated on time, completing his degree in computer science in just four years. His final project, or skripsi, was a significant milestone in his academic journey. The topic of his skripsi was “Prediksi Penjualan Menggunakan Simple Moving Average dan Smoothing Exponential” (Sales Prediction Using Simple Moving Average and Exponential Smoothing), which highlighted his ability to apply mathematical and statistical models to solve real-world business problems. The project demonstrated his growing understanding of data analysis, forecasting, and how technology could be leveraged for business solutions.

However, his journey didn’t end with graduation. Freddo realized that to truly succeed in his entrepreneurial pursuits, he needed more than just technical knowledge—he needed a deeper understanding of business management, sales, and the practical challenges of running a company.

Although Freddo had dreams of starting his own software house, he understood the importance of gaining industry experience and financial stability first. Instead of jumping straight into freelancing, Freddo opted to become a staff web programmer at a company, where he could learn the ropes of the industry while continuing to refine his skills. This decision not only provided him with a steady income but also allowed him to better understand how businesses operated on a larger scale.

Team Size Will Not Solve All the Problems