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| The Fine Art of Management |
| by: Ameann DeJohn |
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| Running a business is complex. Managing the employees that help it run is a fine art. | | | | Keeping a business running smoothly consists of various daily activities and tasks that require simultaneous juggling. Some include managing performance, overseeing budgets, nurturing partnerships, strategizing for short term and long term goals and ensuring overall performance of the company. These tasks, while essential for success hold even more importance when you consider that within each of these departments lay unique employees that must be motivated, coached and guided to bring our their best, and thus drive the business forward. | | | | So what does it take exactly to effectively manage people? How does one do this without coming across bossy or domineering? | | | | Communication | | | | An effective manager must leave the lines open for communication at all times so that employees always feel confident and safe to ask any questions and voice concerns. It is the manager’s responsibility to foster this open environment by communicating well himself. “Communication is really the key. When you set that groundwork when you bring somebody on board that that’s the expectation, then you foster that expectation. You reach out to your team members or to your employees and you share information from them, and you solicit information back — that makes them feel a part of the organization”, notes Lori Marcus, the principal of QUAD656 LLC — a recruiting firm. This means asking how employees are doing, following up with them on past issues, encouraging them to talk when they need to and being open to new ideas they might have. They are on the front lines and may have unique insights and ideas that you might not think of otherwise. Good communication skills also come in handy when coaching and teaching employees. | | | | Coaching and Motivation | | | | You are the manager because you are prepared and qualified for the job of managing. Share your experience and expertise with your employees. They are there to do the job they were hired for but also to learn and grow. With comfortable communication established it should be easy to guide, coach and motivate without coming across as bossy or pushy. Allow them to take ownership of their position and feel empowered with knowing you trust them and are there to help and guide when needed. When coaching, be thorough and take the time necessary to explain your thoughts and methods. Suggest, don’t demand and be open to their feedback. Your employee will appreciate the special care and dedication. Share your wealth of knowledge so that they may adopt and apply it to their position. | | | | Share the Responsibility | | | | You are only one person. You cannot do it yourself – this is why you have a capable team underneath you. As the leader, naturally you should always be involved in every aspect of the business and know what is going on in each department, but you should yield and let go of the parts of the business that your employees were hired to manage. Micromanaging drains you of energy and usually takes power and security from the employees. A manager’s focus is the long term, while the day to day short term is managed by the staff. Giving up your strong hold, leaves you open to focus on the bigger picture, make key decisions and it empowers your team by showing them that they have your trust. This by no means is suggesting you should let the team work totally independent of your presence but you should learn to give them space. This letting-go process comes through open lines of communication, sharing knowledge, being open to ideas and learning to feel confident in knowing your employees are giving their best. | | | | Keep it Cool | | | | Perhaps one of the most important features of effective management is essentially, self management. There are few things worse and more counter-productive than a hostile work environment. Learn to subdue your mood and keep calm in times of conflict or high stress. As a leader you must be clear headed and focused to make key decisions and diffuse tense situations whether it is among your staff or with a customer. This type of management style is effective. It’s hard for hot tempered employees to stay that way when you are calm and collected. “If you model respect and fairness, as well as being a good leader and follower, you can ask the same of those you lead. Prepare for disappointment if you treat others poorly and then ask your employees to do otherwise” notes Kim McKenna, Director of Education for St. Charles County Ambulance District. | | | | Management is layered and complex, but broken down seems less overwhelming. Master each step and you will be on your way to managing your employees and business more effectively. | | | | | | | Sources: | | | | "How to communicate effectively with your employees", by Brian Horn | | | | Smart Business Philadelphia | December 2008, www.Sbnonline.com | | | | | | | "Can you Teach" by Kim McKenna, RN, BSN, CEN, EMT-P, is the director of education for St. Charles County Ambulance District in metropolitan St. Louis, Mo. www.jems.com | | |
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| Ameann Solutions represents a fresh, creative approach for the Beauty Industry in the areas of startup business planning, operations, analysis, product marketing and distribution, speaking, teaching and training, and strategic long range business development. From product research and development, including ingredients for the body, face or bath, moisturizers, creams and lotions, to positioning and branding your niche treatments in the spa/salon industry, Ameann Solutions has your company's sales increases at the top of the goal sheet. Just like with skin care of the face, the formula for the appearance of firm problems is to smooth them out and turn them into opportunities. |
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