News | Viewpoints
EVENTS DIARY
Jane Cowan-Harris
Robyn Pearce
Head of WorkSpace IQ www.workspaceiq.co.nz
Time management expert www.gettingagrip.com
Are you sitting pretty?
The deft art of delegation
Choosing seats that work for a wide range of people is a real challenge. There are so many considerations.
Delegation, or the lack of it, can make or break any business.
Unless it’s a part of your job, it’s unlikely that you get to buy chairs that often. Maybe at work you might have some input into the choice of chair, but generally we get what we’re given. Sometimes these are chairs that with some adjustment features you can use to make yourself more comfortable. A chair that fits you reasonably well and is adjusted to the right height is a key factor in keeping pain free at work. Office chairs are not particularly cheap, but there are several reasonably priced options on the market if you know what to look for. Pointers to look for when choosing a chair: • A seat depth that gives you enough leg support (3-4 fingers between the front of the chair and the back of your legs) • A back which is high enough for you to lean back and be able to feel your shoulder blades against the chair • Preferably the ability to adjust the chair back angle • Ability to raise the seat up high enough so that the keyboard can be used with relaxed shoulders • Some lumbar (lower back) support or the ability to tilt the seat forwards (helps keep the spine aligned when sitting). Beware of ‘sitting time’ You may have noticed that chairs sometimes have a ‘sitting time’ rating of 4, 8 or even 8+ hours. This relates to how much padding the seat has, the back support and the chair’s adjustability. An eight hour rating is not giving you permission to sit for that length of time! No matter how good a chair is; it is how you are sitting and how long you sit in the chair for that will determine if you start to develop low back pain. If you’re desk bound, try to get up at least once an hour during the day and ideally get out for a walk at lunchtime; this helps increase circulation around your body including in your brain. Everyone I come across who does get out for a walk always says how much better they function for the rest of the day. If you’re not already walking, give it a go. Remember, you have options Look around and consider your options before you buy. Aim for flexibility in adjustments and look for chair models with some options of seat sizes. If you’re unsure what to buy, get some specialist advice.
As I work with both large and small companies in a very wide range of industries around the world, I constantly hear that many owners and managers struggle with delegation. I’ve noticed two major mistakes made by many well-intentioned folk: 1. They’re available too much of the time to their staff. 2. When passing a task over, they give lots of unnecessary detail to competent staff. Being available for staff isn’t of course an issue in small farming businesses, but for many business operators and owners, it can be. Do you have a lot of interruptions? Do you find that staff with queries, phone calls, drop-in visitors and emails regularly break your focus? If you’ve said ‘yes’ to staff interruptions, consider this: We’ve come out of the dark ages where bosses communicated as little as possible to their underlings. People were expected to take instructions and just get on with the job. During the last few decades there has been a change in management style. We’re now encouraged to communicate openly with our staff, to ‘empower’ them. However, there’s a downside. Many business owners feel they have to constantly ‘be there’ for their people. So where does delegation fit in here? Being ‘there for your staff’ 100 percent of the time is not good management. In fact, it causes bottlenecks, frustration and low morale, and blocks your staff from learning and developing their own skills. If competent people keep interrupting you with questions they should be able to handle, ask them to come with two solutions every time they come with a question. Pretty soon you’ll reduce the questions. If they’ve had to work out the answers before they come, they’ll soon realise they don’t need to interrupt you for what amounts to a ‘rubber-stamp job’. If you’re too quick to supply the answer, you encourage laziness and dependency. Beware of good old human nature – the tendency to take the easy road. For many people, if they can get someone else to do their thinking, why wouldn’t they ask! And a solution for Point 2; if a staff member is competent don’t force your details on them. Instead, give them the big picture of what you want to achieve and see what they come up with. Of course you’re willing to guide, coach and review, but beware of unnecessary detail. Often a good staff member will have a better way.
What’s happening on the business and entertainment front
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 BUSINESS BREAKFAST SEMINAR This seminar focuses on using ACC and private insurance wisely. Guest speaker, Cheryl Newcombe from ACC, will present alternative ACC packages that will ensure suitable cover, and Steve Crowley from Accuro Health Insurance will tell you how to use private insurance to reduce ACC premiums and increase cover. To register, go to: www.northcanterbury.co.nz
MONDAY, JULY 4 DEVELOPING A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY This one day workshop designed for small businesses will give you the skills to create your own comprehensive social media strategy that will positively impact your business. It is suitable for beginners and experienced social media users. To register, go to: www.eliteld.co.nz
THURSDAY, JULY 7-8 ACHIEVING BUSINESS GROWTH If you want to set your business up for the next stage of its growth, this two day workshop will help you to identify new opportunities and then figure out how to turn them into reality. Learn how to employ, organise, and motivate the people in your business. You will develop a 12 month action plan with the facilitators that will help you to reach milestones and drive your business forward. To register, go to: www.theicehouse.co.nz
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 EXPORTNZ BREAKFAST The ExportNZ Canterbury Breakfast features presentations from internationally successful New Zealand exporters providing a platform for learning, inspiration and networking. The next breakfast focuses on the agri-tech export sector, with guest speaker from Wools of New Zealand. To register, go to: www.cecc.org.nz
THURSDAY, JULY 28 RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY SEMINAR This seminar is for people who already have, or who are planning to purchase, a residential rental property. It covers income, deductible expenses, depreciation, record keeping, filing (online and manual) and online services, and how to use the IRD’s interactive Tool for Business. To register, go to: www.ird.govt.nz
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10 EFFECTIVE DELEGATION TRAINING COURSE This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to effectively understand the methods, management and practice of delegation. Delegating roles and responsibilities appropriately helps both management and employees to work smoothly and productively to achieve their common goals. To register, go to: www.pdtraining.co.nz
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