Do you ever wish you could get more out of your team? Do you wonder why employees may not seem passionate about company goals? There are a few gut checks that you can use if your business doesn’t seem to be running on all cylinders.
1. Am I bringing on the right people? Many organizations seem to have a haphazard hiring program. Design a business where you choose to selectively bring on team members that will share your vision.
2. Is there a clear vision of what will make your business unique? Has the team determined a strategic plan to attract customers?
3. Does the organization communicate well? Do you provide information on the progress of the company to employees at all levels? Does everyone understand where the company is succeeding and where there is room for improvement?
4. Are you treating the customer like gold? As any business is built, there must be a clear understanding that without the clients we would all be unemployed. Every organization should operate with a tremendous focus on building customer loyalty.
When things are going well give credit to the team. When things aren’t going well it is necessary to look in the mirror to analyze the situation.
Consider not only how the operation is functioning but think about whether you are energizing or draining the organization. Robert Half once said, “Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too.” Be conscious of how your organization is doing but also hold yourself accountable to expecting more from yourself that you do from your employees.
Does the team see you as a fearless leader and strong role model? Do employees see you proactively seeking new customers? Do they see you cherishing the customers that are already with the organization? You will never get more out of your employees than they see you putting into the business.
Stop and think! Based on the effort you put into each day – would you hire you?
Laura Harris is a small business expert, speaker and author of Surrender to Win – Regain Sanity by Strategically Relinquishing Control. As an entrepreneur Laura has learned firsthand the importance of teaching employees to think and act like business owners. She is also a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Visit www.LauraHarris.com or e-mail laura@lauraharris.com.