Leader

7 Things That Can Kill Your Company Culture

/ nancyrubin

Every company develops a unique culture that defines how people feel and behave as they work. For the most part, business owners and managers take the lead in creating a culture that reflects their values.

A study published by the Gallup organization revealed that having highly engaged employees resulted in 10% increase in customer satisfaction. Research also shows that the productivity of workers can jump by 12 percent when they feel satisfied. Such efficiency gains reduce the cost of human resources and directly impact your bottom line.

Build a healthy, satisfying work environment for your business by avoiding the following killers of your company culture.

1. Not Hiring Team Players

Some people just don’t work well with others. You might even use labels, such as “jerks” to describe them. They constantly criticize their boss and try to spread discontent. If you have this type of person on your staff, now is the time to weed them out.

Meanwhile, do everything possible to ensure that you only hire team players. Try to screen your applicants by their demeanor during interviews as well as feedback from their personal references.

2. Bureaucracy

A multitiered hierarchy can kill your company culture. Seemingly endless meetings, PowerPoints, emails, and “edicts” from upper-level management can waste time and leave your team members feeling powerless.

Help people do their job by only involving them in meetings that directly impact their work. Also, ensure that each worker directly reports to only one supervisor or manager. Empower your employees to innovate to improve quality and efficiency.

3. Stress

Deadlines are only one of the many sources of stress that can kill your company culture. You need to counter the pressure to promptly complete projects with sensible work-related practices. For instance, encourage your staff to take breaks, drink water and eat healthy food.

Fantastic managers periodically check on their direct reports to answer questions and ensure that work proceeds smoothly. If you leave your employees without the answers they need, they will feel stressed, especially as due dates approach.

4. The Boss’s Way or the Highway

As a leader, you should welcome diverse perspectives and opinions, even when they contradict your own. Furthermore, by emphasizing results rather than tasks, you can help your team develop independence and confidence.

When you let everyone participate in decision-making, you help them have a sense of value and belonging. Your employees will begin to identify themselves with the firm and always look for ways to improve the way they work.

5. Lack of “Beyond the Paycheck” Motivation

Some employees only show up to work because they want a paycheck. These workers show little intrinsic motivation and will rarely do anything outside of their job description. Such workers can kill your culture and negatively impact everything your firm does.

Engage your workforce by providing perks and incentives that transcend payday. Motivate your employees by providing each of them with a clear path to advancement. Also, consider offering non-traditional work arrangements such as remote work and flexible scheduling.

6. “Keep Your Head Down and Get it Done” Attitude

Employees who focus on doing their work without providing feedback can cripple your business. You need people on your team who will share their ideas and ask questions in ways that stimulate innovation.

To create engaged employees, never ridicule a suggestion and insist on practicing an open communications policy. By creating a safe, trusting business culture, you harness the thoughts, experiences and ingenuity of your employees for the common good.

7. Micromanagement and Lack of Trust

Healthy relationships among your team members require you to trust them. However, in many companies, business owners and managers communicate distrust by micromanaging everything their workers do.

Avoid closed-door meetings and suspicious whispers in hallways that make employees feel as though you are deciding their futures without them. Instead, treat everyone with respect and assume the role of a mentor or coach rather than an overlord.

In the end, pay attention to all the feedback you receive, including from employees who leave your business. Take your employees seriously and treat them right. By building a healthy company culture, you build a strong reputation for your firm and a solid foundation for success.

Jen McKenzie is a freelance writer from New York, NY. She is fascinated by all things having to do with words,business, education and cutting-edge. When Jennifer is not busy writing, she enjoys taking long walks and spending time with her two pets Brando & Marlon. You can reach Jennifer @jenmcknzie

Why All CEO’s Value Education Above All Else

/ nancyrubin

It’s important to know how to run a business in the modern world. While in centuries past it might have been sufficient to be the only retailer of a certain good in your area, now you must likely compete with several businesses in your city just to stay afloat. All CEO’s and leaders of businesses value self-tuition over all, and this is for a good reason. In order to develop and progress in manner that most affords positive and continual development, the ability to discern between good and bad information is paramount.

This means that understanding where to draw these parameters is one of the most advantageous intellectual battles you can take care of in the life of your firm. After all, ideas are the generators of business, and without them your efforts would quickly fade into irrelevance. Here are a few reasons as to why continual self-development is so important as a business leader:

Historical Understanding

Understand the past, and you can predict the future. At least in part, and to the degree that is worthwhile. In noticing patterns and being able to scope out the tastes of a market, you might just develop or market a product perfectly in line with the innovation-hungry and novelty-interested tastes of a market. This might even help you develop practices that make more sense. For example, studying ecommerce history could give you a more inclusive attitude about how to adopt certain accommodations in future, and try to tailor the direction of your business in a compatible tandem with that.

It also allows you to see the current historical significance of your product and firm as a whole, and try to tailor this to become more appealing in future. Those without a good knowledge of history are doomed to repeat it (as they say,) meaning that taking care of this can arguably provide benefits on many levels, from the customer base to your staff to your upper management.

A solid historical understanding might also mean reading and analysing case studies of previous businesses (like yours,) that tried and failed. This can inform your understanding, as the wise amongst us learn from those around us.

Blind Spots

Blind spots are always there for us ignore. No matter how competent or well-read you are, they will occur. This lessens your ability to serve in all roles as a business leader, or to make effective decisions. With the correct education in new and growing fields relating to your business, you can lessen this impact. You might not be able to completely protect against this, but you can surely become better at discerning the difficulty and acting upon it.

For example, learning how online transactions are usually conducted might allow you to systemize your approach to accepting them in your business, despite being a perfectly store-led company until now. Times seem to be changing faster than ever, and with the right educational refinement, you can keep up with all of this.

So why not make an effort towards educating yourself today? Revolutionizing your business and potential success might demand nothing less.

 

The Characteristics Many Successful Businesspeople Share

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Successful entrepreneurs like to plan. They don’t like to go into a meeting blind or launch a product without making absolutely certain that they have done everything they can to make it great and to launch it at the perfect time. If you want to be successful, you can’t just go with the flow; you need to set out and follow a roadmap for success.

They’re Natural Leaders

If you want to create a business that does well, you’re going to need to have direction, and you must be able to lead others in that direction with you. All of the best-known business people, who’ve experienced great success have done so because they’ve been able to get the best out of their employees. That’s why so many entrepreneurs are now enrolling on leadership masters programs or taking leadership and communication classes locally. No matter how determined you are or how good your business idea is, if you can’t lead your team, you’re unlikely to reach the top of your game.

They Know How to Manage Money

Money is the lifeblood of business. You need to know how to invest money wisely, when to cut it off and how to streamline your cash flow for the best results. So, it shouldn’t be surprising to know that successful business-people are almost always great with figures. If you aren’t exactly up to speed with all things financial, it might, therefore, be worth taking a class or two to get you up to speed.

They’re Confident

When you run a business, you have to be confident in your abilities, and you need to be able to get up and sell your products and services to others. If you’re a shrinking violet, you won’t impress investors, customers or, well anyone really and that won’t help you gain success.

3 Everyday Habits Of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs

/ nancyrubin

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Credit: Pexels

There are all kinds of things that go into building a successful business, and every entrepreneur will have a slightly different approach to kindling and expanding their operation. Having said that, there are certain universal habits that all business owners can benefit from, regardless of their background or niche. Here are just a few you should be trying to develop…

Take Your Emotions Out of the Picture

 Far too many start-up owners allow their emotions to get in the way of their business, getting caught up with grandiose dreams for the future and regrets from the past, when they should be concentrating on the task at hand. Everyone faces failures in business, whether it’s one little slip up with a marketing campaign, or a blunder that drives the whole operation into a financial nosedive. However, pointing fingers, feeling sorry for yourself, and losing confidence won’t get you anywhere, and will in fact slow you down when you need to be the strongest and most resilient version of yourself more than ever. Money isn’t influenced by emotions, and as such, your business needs to be handled with a fitting level of objective, detached logic. The less you allow yourself to get caught up in your emotions, the more time you’ll have for developing your business.

Keep on Learning

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You may have an excellent track record of experience in your field, but no industry sits still, and with this in mind, you need to get into the habit of constantly developing your knowledge and experience, ensuring that you keep your skills and mindset up to a standard needed to succeed in the modern business arena. Make a point of investing in yourself, and making room for learning, no matter how jam-packed your schedule happens to be. With all the online distance learning companies like Maryville University out there, there’s really no excuse for letting your knowledge and experience stagnate. Even if you only spend ten minutes reading an industry journal in the morning, every little bit of self-education you can fit in will help you become the leader your business needs, and keep your whole organization one step ahead of your closest competitors.

Schedule Everything

 By everything, we mean everything. One of the most valuable habits you can develop as an entrepreneur is buying yourself more free time through a strict schedule. A lot of naïve start-up owners tend to waste a lot of time by procrastinating between different activities, and sleeping too little. Set healthy times for going to bed and getting up every day, along with a schedule of the tasks that you’ll complete one after the other with as little distraction as possible. Limit frivolous things like checking social media accounts to as little time as possible, and make a commitment to work first, and play later. Sure, you might be making progress by developing your business in a disorganized timetable, but when you set yourself a schedule that works and then stick to it, you’ll achieve much more in a much shorter space of time.

 

What Does Your Office Say About You?

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Your office is supposed to be a symbol of your success and achievements. It’s a pedestal from which you exert your power over the minions below you.

Or so you think.

The problem is that your office isn’t exactly looking great. You’ve overlooked several important features that can have a pivotal role in how you’re perceived. That’s got to change.

Here, we’re going to investigate what your office says about you as a leader. Are you missing a trick?

Are You An Interrogator, Or An Equal Partner?

Have you ever noticed the type of setup that interrogators have got going on? They sit up high in some comfortable chair, while the person that they are interrogating sits down low. They have the freedom to roam around, ask questions and generally get comfortable with their surroundings. The person being interrogated is fixed to the spot, unable to move comfortably, and generally diminutive.

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This difference in posture has a psychological effect. The interrogator is seen as powerful and authoritative. The person in the lower fixed chair is perceived as vulnerable. Does this sound at all like your office?

Of course, whether this is good or not depends on the type of business you’re trying to run. If you run a boot camp, then maybe it’s a good setup. But if you’re interested in becoming connected to your staff, then maybe it’s not such a good idea. If it’s trust and support you want to give, maybe stick to comfortable office chairs and generous sitting space.

Is Your Office Visitor-Friendly?

How friendly your office is for visitors has a significant impact on how you’re perceived. The first step is to make sure that your office is accessible. You can get ADA compliant door operators from outlets like Qualified Hardware to help with disabled access. And you can invest in things like ramps, push buttons and special bathroom facilities.

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The next step is to make sure that you have a place where you can easily and effectively meet with visitors. Many visitors won’t want to do business straight away and cutting to the chase might not be effective. Instead, they’ll need to be warmed up. A good rule of thumb is to do something that you can both share in, like a cup of coffee. Make your client a drink so that it doesn’t feel like a “them against you” situation. This helps to make them feel that you are on their side.

Does Your Office Send Mixed Messages About Your Mission?

CEOs are proud of what their companies have achieved and their own professional awards. So much so, in fact, that many take to putting up their awards on their walls. After all, they took a lifetime of work to achieve. But all too often, these displays conflict with the culture of the company. Businesses that emphasize teamwork should showcase the achievements of all members of the firm, not just the CEO. Is your business a bit like this? Does your office claim to be about teamwork but only celebrate the achievements of a few? Perhaps it’s time to change tack.

 

 

Staffing Secrets: Efficiency Is All In The Team Atmosphere

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As a business owner, you should already appreciate the importance of your staff. Whether you’ve hired three people or 3,000 doesn’t matter – their productivity is the lifeline of your entire company.

You’ve probably invested heavily in perfecting your recruitment drive. However, this is only a small part of getting the most from your staff. Embracing positivity in the workplace is arguably even more important than hiring the right people. In truth, it could be the difference between a good company and a great one.

Here’s how you can promote it in four easy steps.

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Create A Great Place To Work

For an employee to work effectively, you must first ensure that their surroundings are suitable. After all, an environment that actively discourages work will immediately put a limit on your success.

Knowing when it’s time to move office is hugely important, as not doing so could be holding you back. Meanwhile, it’s imperative that all working environments are kept safe and clean. After all, absences through injuries and illnesses could be extremely damaging to both morale and workflow.

A few staff perks, such as upgrades to the staff room could have a telling difference. Underestimate their influence at your peril.

Prevent Divisions

Inequality in the workplace is easily the worst problem that you could ever encounter. From your perspective, it’s important to pay every individual worker fairly. However, it’s equally crucial that you promote a positive vibe throughout the workplace.

If you detect bullying or unfair treatments within the company, you must stamp it out immediately. Ultimately, you’re looking to build a team atmosphere, and even the smallest of gestures can help. Polos from Dynamic Gift can promote a unity while also providing consistency for employees and customers alike.

Nobody wants their business to be negatively influenced by segregations among the team. Take the necessary precautions, and you will be just fine.

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Encourage Communication

Every strong team should be built on a foundation of great communication. If yours isn’t, this should be one element that you look to overhaul immediately. Team building exercises are the perfect starting place.

Technology has changed the way we conduct business forever, and it can be used to embrace better communication. Whether it’s team messaging phone Apps or video conferencing services doesn’t matter. Any investment that bolsters the team cohesion and general atmosphere is a bonus.

If nothing else, better communication will reduce the risk of wasted time and basic errors.

Be A Leader

Promoting positivity within the group is one thing. But as well as their colleagues, employees must display respect for you. Without it, you’ll never get anywhere.

Encouraging a better employer-employee relationship will work wonders for staff motivation. Meanwhile, you should also capitalise on their individual ambitions. Invest in their development while showing them the pathway to bigger and better things. With that extra incentive, there’s no reason that they won’t reward you with the level of work you desire.

Above all else, it will make your management tasks far easier to control. If that isn’t an additional reason to make those upgrades, I don’t know what is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want To Be A Better Leader? Read This

/ nancyrubin / 1 Comment

Owning your own business comes with a medley of perks and advantages. Being in control is one of them. Nobody knows your business better than you do and that can give you a great deal of authority. It’s your responsibility to lead and motivate your team to continue developing your business. But if you’ve never been a leader before or aren’t practical in your approach, this can be challenging. Your staff won’t give you the respect you desire and accomplishing your future goals will seem impossible. To start being a better leader and to reinvigorate your workforce, use this guide.

Connect with your employees

The best business leaders are the ones who know their team inside out. This gives them valuable insight into each of their employee’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Which can then be used to their advantage as they can assign tasks more appropriately and keep each member of their team happy. This, in turn, boost productivity and motivation. So it’s wise to start building personal connections. Show an interest in their lives outside of work or find ways to make their job easier. Showing appreciation for their good work and being genuinely interested when they talk is also effective. The key is finding a balance between being a boss and a friend.

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Encourage ideas

Instead of making business related decisions by yourself, get your employees involved in the process too. The saying ‘two heads are better than one’ strongly applies with this leadership method. Having an entire team involved in the ideas stage can bring unique ideas to light. It will also let your team know that you value their input rather than just dictating what needs to be done. Create opportunities where you and your staff can brainstorm ideas. You might want ideas on how to attract customers to your business or for your next marketing campaign. While not every suggestion will work, your staff will love the freedom to create and explore possibilities. It’s bound to fill them with an eagerness to develop their ideas and work further.

Ask for feedback

An employer should be regularly assessing their staff to make sure they are on track and happy with their work. But a good leader will also ask for feedback in return. Leading your own team is a continual learning process and can take time to master. Especially if you haven’t had experience with it in the past. Ask your staff to give you constructive feedback to pinpoint areas where you might need to develop. You can create an anonymous feedback form or suggestions box and leave it somewhere in your workplace. This can be an informative and eye-opening activity. Listen to their suggestions and make an effort to improve yourself. This will show your staff that you respect their thoughts and opinions.

Implement the methods in this guide and start becoming the leader you’ve always wanted to be. It might take some of your employees time to get used to the change you are introducing. Be consistent, firm and patient and it shouldn’t take long for them to adjust.