Creating the right work environment is crucial for the success of any business according to one of INC magazine's top young entrepreneurs. He lists five ways to help develop that environment.

At any point in time, a business is either growing, idling or declining. The reasons for the present status of a company are many but wouldn't it be welcomed if growth was the norm.

One of the ways that a business can make that happen, according to Adam Witty, the CEO of Advantage Media Group is to develop a thriving work culture.

Witty's company is an international publisher of business, self-improvement, and professional development books and online learning. He is the author of five books, a speaker and consultant on marketing, business development, media and entrepreneurship topics, and was selected for INC Magazine's 30 Under 30 list of "America's coolest young entrepreneurs" in 2011, but claims that the goal is attainable by all companies.

"You don't have to be a business guru to recognize when a business is firing on all cylinders, that everyone is putting their skills to maximum use, working together, and actually having a good time. How to create that chemistry – that's the question," Witty says.

To that end, he lists five areas to concentrate on.

• Staff your team with A-players; they're worth the wait. An A-player is someone who brings all of the necessary qualifications to the table – perhaps more than you were expecting – and that something extra as a human being. Of course, that isn't always readily apparent during a 45-minute interview; it can take time to see the true colors of a talented individual to come through. This speaks to the importance of having an intuitive hiring manager, "which may be a small business's CEO," Witty adds. Also, it's important to have A-players who put the team first. Egomaniacs who cannot collaborate can grind productivity to a screeching halt.
• The importance of having fun . . . "Having fun not only helps your team do well, it's a sign that you're doing things right," Witty says. "Where fun and work meet is the understanding from employees that they're making a difference. You want a team of individuals who are motivated by the "why' of what they do." Fun at work means having energy and enthusiasm while tending to the tasks at hand.
• Make employees your extended family. A family environment significantly facilitates a team mentality, especially for those quiet geniuses who like to keep to themselves because they're shy.
• Direction: understanding the "why." "Our team members are driven by the "why' of what we do,"
  Witty says.
• Commit to lifelong learning. Seek to uncover and promote the leader in every one on your team by encouraging all members to follow a path of personal and professional development. With increased knowledge, experiences and skills, people lead to a more fulfilled life, which can profit everyone within a working environment.