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Michelle Grice
A
Stand out
orget what you learned in those management books. Management books have it all wrong. They all try to tell you how to manage “people”. It’s impossible to manage “people”, it’s only possible to manage individuals. And because individuals differ from one another, what works with one individual may not work with somebody else. Some individuals thrive on public praise, others feel uncomfortable when singled out. Some individuals are all about the money, others thrive on challenging assignments. Some individuals need mentoring, others fi nd advice to be grating. The trick is to manage individuals the way that THEY want to be managed, rather than the way that YOU prefer to manage. The only way to do this is to ASK. In your fi rst (or next) meeting with each employee ask: • How do you prefer to be managed? • What can I do to help you excel? • What types of management annoy you? Listen (really listen) to the response and then, as far as you are able to, adapt your coaching, motivation, compensation, and so forth to match that individual’s needs. A savvy employee won’t wait for you to ask; he or she will tell you outright what works. When this happens, you’re crazy not to take that employee’s advice! Unfortunately, most individuals aren’t that bold, which is why it’s up to you to fi nd out how to get the best out of them. And you’ll never get that out of a management book. Like this column? If so, let me know richardm@ bibby.com.au.
s women in business, we read and hear many negative statistics and realities, such as: • Only four per cent of Fortune 500 companies are run by women • There is still a 17 per cent pay gap between men and women • Women are severely under-represented in decision making positions in governments While it is good to aim to improve those statistics, and improve the circumstances of women in general, the focus needs to shift. Instead of feeling like the underdog with enormous obstacles to overcome, be thankful to be a woman in business. Why? Because in most industries, you will stand out from the crowd. And you should use that to your advantage. Every business struggles with a marketing angle that will be memorable and different from everyone else. So use your uniqueness to propel your business forward. Instead of being worried about being different and therefore ‘not attractive’ to prospects, be confident in your differences. Show people that although you might not be the norm, you can exceed their expectations. Although we have many more female role models these days from which to draw inspiration, it can still be tempting to operate the way our male counterparts do. But aside from doing things the ‘same old way’, more often than not, you will be going against your natural tendencies. The only way to really succeed in business is to stand out from the crowd, in the most positive sense!
Richard Markowski is from Bibby Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd
Michelle Grice is the founder of www.dotcomwomen.com.au
K R E
METAL AND MORE
earning how to manage your time effectively is one of the most important skills you can master in running a successful business. Most small business people spend far too much time doing things that don’t have to be done or can be done by somebody else. We all waste time on minor things every now and then. The key is to prioritise the tasks at hand and then allocate the available time accordingly. Most small business owners, particularly in their formative years, survive by crisis management. Just as one problem is remedied, another one pops up. So how do you fi nd enough time in the day to do all the things that need to be done? Many overcome the problem by working longer hours but the secret lies in prioritising the available time. I personally start most days with a list of tasks that need completing, then simply prioritise the importance of each and start with the most important. It’s not always that easy but it gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I also keep diaries; an electronic one for client appointments and a physical one for tasks and notes. I don’t have email access to my phone because it is too time consuming. I’m not saying my way is best practice but it seems to keep me at a happy medium. Make sure every job you do maximises your abilities and skills. Don’t be afraid to delegate to ensure the bulk of your time is spent on things that are going to provide the best dollar returns for the business. Michael Todd is the Marketing and Business Manager of the Penrith Business Advisory Centre
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