Archive for March, 2010
March 31st, 2010 | 
Author: Management Style In The 21st Century
The Old Way Command and Control
Although workplaces and management styles have come a long way in the last decade the command and control style of management behaviour remains common practice in many companies. This management approach basically means that employees are told exactly what to do when to do it and even how it should be done. The manager is in charge has all the answers and fixes all the problems.
Its no surprise that plenty of people find this approach demotivating and that workplaces with a commandcontrol style are rated as pretty unsatisfying. When it comes down to it none of us really enjoys being told exactly what to do and neither do our employees. When people feel as though they have no say and are given no opportunity to contribute outside of their work tasks then they switch off and become disengaged.
The command and control approach is being phased out for a more collaborative and engaging style a Coach approach or being a managercoach. This is a positive shift as long as we support our managers in understanding what on earth is meant by a coach approach and how expectations of them are changing.
Coaching What does it really mean?
The coaching profession has exploded in recent years diversifying across many different fields and industries. All of these people are dedicated to helping others achieve their goals improve aspects of themselves or their business or move forwards from where they are today.
In a work environment the role of a managercoach can be described as :
achieving results and excellence through others rather than personally taking care of things and
focusing on developing employees in order to achieve business results rather than micromanaging their every move.
Adopting coaching as a management style requires managers to help other people unlock their potential and enhance their own performance. Its about supporting people to learn instead of telling them what the answers are.
The mindset of the managercoach is to create an environment that fosters learning independent thinking and opportunities to contribute. The managercoach doesnt want to be seen as a solution provider. Rather they want to be seen as a facilitator paving the way for team members to achieve their results.
Coach managers are a role model for others. They are excellent listeners and communicators providing perspective and encouragement whilst setting high standards and expectations.
Making coaching behaviours part of what you do
1.Stop thinking about employees as people that need to be controlled or managed and give them the latitude to take actions and make decisions. Trust is a vital component of this equation. If you cant trust people to do their jobs well then you either have the wrong people in the jobs or you have the right people but you havent trained them sufficiently. A third option is that the people are properly skilled but the manager just cant let go.
2.Listen listen listen. If there are unhappy or disgruntled people in your business you can guarantee that at some stage theyve tried to tell you what the problem is. Its likely you werent listening (or didnt want to listen) or perhaps your initial reaction made the person think twice about bringing the problem to you. Truly listening is one of the greatest skills to develop regardless of your role. Good listeners are genuinely interested convey empathy and want to find out whats behind the conversation. Great coaches are great listeners without exception.
3.Focus on developing the strengths of each employee rather than managing merely for results. Identify each persons development needs and commit to following through on them. When people are growing and improving their enthusiasm and effectiveness is greater. And they feel more connected and loyal to the company for supporting them.
4.Endorse effort and growth instead of pointing out failures or errors. As individuals we all know how seldom we are given positive feedback but how often we are reminded of our mistakes. Instead of pointing out errors the coachmanager accepts them as learning opportunities and uses them to develop their employees. The focus is on making sure the same mistake doesnt happen again by fixing the source of the problem.
5.Stop providing solutions. Managers often achieve their positions after being technical specialists and so will have an opinion or view on how to “fix” situations or problems. The mindset is that it’s usually faster to tell someone what to do or do it yourself than give your employees an opportunity to figure it out. By always providing the answers managers take away the learning opportunity for their employees to come up with alternative (and potentially better) ways of doing things. If you catch yourself about to provide the answer take a deep breath and ask a question like: What would you do in this situation?
6.As a manager stop making all the decisions. You don’t have all the answers all of the time. Engage those around you your team and peers when it comes to finding a way forwards. Involvement breeds ownership and engagement. The more you can find opportunities for people to contribute to the decisionmaking process and encourage people to have their say the more your employees will feel connected and satisfied with the company.
7.Be unconditionally constructive no exceptions. Don’t patronise or be critical of others take complete responsibility for how you are heard. If you catch yourself about to make negative remarks take a breath and rephrase your words to get your message across without the emotional attachment. It is possible to phrase everything in constructive terms even a negative sentiment. Practice makes perfect!
8.Create an environment where people want to work with you and feel valued and respected. Make it clear to your employees what they are responsible for but give them the latitude to go about it in their own way. In short treat them the way you would want to be treated.
The WrapUp
The true success of a leader can be measured by the success of the people that work for them. When managers and leaders adopt a coaching style the productivity motivation and satisfaction of the employees increases which filters through to bottom line results. All this makes for an engaged workforce who are committed to giving the business as much as it is giving them. And as an extra incentive adopting a coaching style of management results in a much more enjoyable workplace for everybody!
About the writer:
Megan Tough
Are you ready to challenge your ideas about what gets results in business? complete potential is here to help you make more of your business. More profits more income more of what you want. Remove obstacles to growth and create new opportunities.To find more articles like these sign up for Profits for Professionals at www.completepotential.com.
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Making Your Business Credit Card Work Smarter
Credit cards are convenient financial means for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. However personal use is not the only way credit cards come in handy. Credit cards can also be a major benefit for covering business expenses. If you own your own business you may want to consider applying for a business credit card. Most credit card companies offer a number of options for companies interested in opening a business credit card. The type of business credit card your business applies for may depend on the size age income and financial needs of your company.
Business credit cards typically have larger credit limits than personal credit cards. This is because businesses typically have a larger budget than an individual person or family would. Businesses can handle larger credit lines because they can keep up with larger payments. Many credit card companies offer business credit card customers a variety of rewards programs that can help their company appeal to businesses trying to select which of the many credit card companies to do business with. Larger companies may have more leeway than smaller companies in shopping around doing research and selecting which company has the right program for them.
Most credit card companies are quick to sign on large companies as customers because they know they will be able to keep good credit and most likely be able to stay on as long term loyal customers. Most credit card companies also offer business customers low interest rates and in some cases a 0 APR credit card. Even though most of the time the 0 APR applies only for an initial period of six months to a year this can be a huge selling point for any size business.
Large companies and corporations are not the only businesses that use credit cards though. Small businesses can find it extremely convenient to apply and receive a small business credit card. Small business credit cards are ideal for small businesses that need a way to manage the many finances that a small business can face. For small businesses just starting out a small business credit card can be a great way of getting the business on its feet. Handling initial expenses with a small business credit card will allow a small business owner to begin business make a profit and pay for expenses in monthly payment increments rather than having to foot huge bills all at once during a time where expenses will surely be high.
No matter what the size of your business a business credit card can be a great choice for you. Business credit cards help companies manage finances cover expenses and survive in the competitive business world.
About the writer:
Peter Sissons Retired Bank Manager and Student Credit Cards advisor at gFinance Group LLC ( http://www.yourcreditcard.com ) publishes other articles related to Student Credit Cards at http://www.thecreditcardsearch.com and http://www.fastcreditcards.net
Make The Most Of Your Money
I’m always amazed that so many people spend most of their life at work and totally neglect their personal affairs.
Many of the business people I work with want their professional lives to be in order and admit that their personal affairs are in chaos.
They have no systems for handling this most important area. The household paperwork is disorganisedpiled up in a corner of the housesomewhere. They have no idea where they spend their money and often have no plan for their financial future.
If you do not organise your personal life you won’t have much of a future to look forward to.
Avoid the excuses that you are too tired don’t have the time and don’t know how.
Here are several tips to get you started:
Set up a filing system to store your paperwork.
File your papers in categories: Bank Car Children Home Medical Insurance Investment Tax Utilities etc.
Organise direct debits for regular bills.
Read sort and action your snail and email daily. This will avoid a big buildup.
Make a note in your diary when you need to remember to do things.
Check your bank accounts weekly via phone or the Internet to keep tabs on your money.
Allocate a particular day and time each week to review your personal affairs.
Get educated attend seminars read books and listen to information on wealth creation. (Our fortnightly Event Update often advertises worthwhile events that will help you). Having knowledge will make it easier to make decisions and take action.
Organising Your Financial Future
This area should be top priority. If you do nothing because it’s too much effort well think about this.
What would happen if you lose your job have an accident and receive no income for 6 months? How would you (and your family) survive financially? Do you have your insurances in order?
Where will you be in the next five years? Maybe retired and on a pension? Or perhaps you have superannuation you hope will be enough to live on? Unfortunately too many people are under false illusions about how superannuation will be the answer for a secure retirement.
Hope is not enough. You have to be proactive and seek out people who can help you. But be careful who you take advice from and what is the motivation behind them “selling” you their ideas.
Educating yourself on how to make the most of your hardearned money so you can create wealth should be a high priority. After all if you’re not interested in securing your financial future who is?
The Final Word
If you take control of your personal affairs you will have peace of mind and know that you are making things happen.
I once heard someone say: Some people make things happen others watch things happen and others wonder what happened. What do you choose to do?
About the writer:
Lorraine Pirihi principal of The Office Organiser is Australia’s Personal Productivity Coach. She specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.
lorraineofficeorganiser.com.au