Managing People Is an Art: 32 Ways to Do It Right. Managing a staff of employees – with their diverse personalities, responsibilities, ambitions and pet peeves – can sometimes feel a bit like nailing Jell-O to the wall. And at small companies, where every single employee needs to pull their weight to move the business along, it can feel like nailing Jell-O to a wall and then trying to balance a cat on it. Related: 30 Secrets to Hiring the Right People There is a special art to leading a staff. Here, weve put together a dream team of tips, advice, recommendations and best practices from small-business owners who were honored at National Small Business Week, an annual celebration of all small businesses across the U.S. Related: What Gets These 30 Entrepreneurs Out of Bed Every Day The best advice ranges from being clear with expectations to asking for help when you need it to making sure executive decisions are backed up with data. Oh, and then there’s also this: “Roll up your sleeves, charge into the swamp with your team and start wrestling the alligators.” 1. Dr. Shieh’s Clinic & Associates Entrepreneur: Thomas Shieh, MD, FACOG Headquarters: Tamuning, Guam Patients first, and take care of your staff. I found that if we put patients first, they will be always loyal to you and the care you provide them will be a bilateral relationship. 2. Blake’s All Natural Foods Entrepreneur: Chris Licata Headquarters: Concord, N.H. The best advice I have received and believe in is to hire great people, share your vision for the company, provide clear direction and expectations, then get out of the way so they can do their best work. Always be available to support each person on your team but encourage autonomy, creativity and risk-taking. Rehabilitate all micro managers……or replace them if you can’t save them……because they will kill all autonomy, creativity and risk-taking and force your best people to leave 3. Janska, LLC Entrepreneur: Jan Erickson, Owner, Founder & President; Jon Thomas, Co-Founder & Vice President Headquarters: Colorado Springs, Colo. Never be afraid to ask for help. Jon and I reached out to the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center when we were in the very beginning stages of our business. These classes helped us avoid pitfalls that many new businesses experience. Later, we began using SCORE to help with the challenges that accompany rapid growth. I have had a personal business coach for over 6 years, and in January we hired a business coach to help us with strategic planning and to work with our management team. 4. Fusion Hospitality Entrepreneur: Bhupender Bruce Patel Headquarters: Tupelo, Miss. Though not given to me personally, my favorite management advice is from Sam Walton: There is only one boss. The customer. And they can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending their money somewhere else. 5. Express Kitchens Entrepreneur: Max Kothari Headquarters: Hartford, Conn. Trust your gut instinct BUT always back your gut decisions with data. Just data decision are no good nor are emotional gut decisions in isolation. Kiran Gill is the owner and founder of PARS Environmental, Inc. Image credit: PARS Environmental, Inc. 6. PARS Environmental, Inc. Entrepreneur: Kiran K. Gill, President and CEO Headquarters: Robbinsville, N. J. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes but do understand and learn from them. Mistakes are truly necessary for growth. 7. High Plains Architects Entrepreneurs: Randy and Janna Hafer Headquarters: Billings, Mont. Hire good people, treat them right, empower them. 8. Bleed Blue Tattoo and Piercing Entrepreneur: Thomas Ray Conrett, aka Tommy Ray Headquarters: Lexington, Ky. Lead by example. Dr. Amir A. Varshovi, the President of Florida-based GreenTechnologies. Image credit: GreenTechnologies 9. Green Technologies Entrepreneurs: Dr. Amir A. Varshovi and Marla K. Buchanan, JD Headquarters: Gainesville, Fla. Leaders must be close enough to relate to others but far enough ahead to motivate them. 10. BrightFields, Inc. Entrepreneurs: Mark A. Lannan and Marian R. Young Headquarters: Wilmington, Del. Keep looking at where the market and industry are heading, not where it is. 11. Infinite Energy Construction, Inc. (IEC) Entrepreneur: Nilson L. Goes Headquarters: Kansas City, Mo. Inspect what you expect.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 07:19:34 +0000
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