Fifty small businesses and organizations within an 800-mile radius of southern Illinois were surveyed to determine what businesses consider the most important characteristics of a team player; 94 percent responded. These characteristics were incorporated into a course during which teams of students were to complete a project that involved each team analyzing a business system and writing a system proposal. Once the system proposals were accepted, teams wrote programs and tested and ran the system. The project required them to do interviews, pricing (hardware, cabling, networks), and research. Major conflicts were resolved at roundtable discussions. Team members evaluated each other six times during the semester. Instructors summarized feedback and gave them to each team member to enable them to improve their nonparticipation or poor work quality. Open communication was encouraged through brainstorming sessions, open group discussions, and team presentations held by the instructor during the semester. Students were surveyed to see if methods were successful in helping to improve their communication skills. Ninety-one students were surveyed in the spring of 1992, 1993, and 1994. Findings indicated team projects could enhance communication. (YLB)