Managing a business is a big job. In addition to completing your own daily tasks, you are responsible for the productivity of those you are in charge of leading. Whether you are the owner of a small business or a member of a management team that oversees various subsections of a larger organization, you need certain skills to thrive and motivate the people you supervise. Here are five effective business management skills to put into practice.
Organize Projects Clearly
When you are heading up a large project, every detail affects how smoothly the whole process goes. Organizational skills are vital to ensuring that you meet deadlines and accomplish goals. Meetings should focus on the next few steps and showing how they fit into the big picture. This is especially important during long-term projects. As the lead on the project, you are also in charge of making sure your operation doesn’t go over budget. Project accounting software can help you keep track of your spending.
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However, it only works if you have a clear estimate of how much everything is going to cost up front. Do your research and plan meticulously. Then leave yourself some wiggle room just in case anything unexpected happens.
Manage Your Time Well
Your job is undoubtedly busy. As a manager, you must learn to multitask. Break down large tasks into small, manageable pieces. This helps you from getting behind and missing deadlines. Use calendar alerts to help you arrive for meetings on time. This is especially important if you are leading the meeting. It communicates respect to everyone who has made space in their schedules to meet with you. As a result, your team is likely to emulate the behavior you model. If you expect them to meet deadlines, you need to set a good example by doing so yourself.
Communicate Effectively
Knowing what is expected of them is one of the key components of employee engagement. Your team will be happier and produce better results if you communicate their roles clearly. Keep them in the loop when decisions that affect them are being made. Even when your team isn’t directly involved in something the organization is doing, though, they likely are still interested in knowing what’s going on. Keeping them informed and keeping the lines of communication open strengthens your leadership.
Solve Problems Consistently
Good problem resolution is the result of a system of protocols and contingency plans for when things don’t go quite the way you imagine they will. By foreseeing potential obstacles and planning ahead to overcome them should they arise, you can keep your team’s workflow on track. Your team can also be helpful in solving problems. Start by being open and honest about the issue. Identify the root cause that led to the problem. Lead your team in a brainstorming session to propose possible ways to address it, and come up with a list of your top three most viable options. Choose the solution that seems like it will be the most effective and discuss ways to implement it. Assign resolution tasks to the appropriate team members and give them a timeline for completing them and getting office productivity back on track. Integrating your team into tackling problems not only helps you resolve them faster but also teaches each of them good resolution tactics for future use.
Take Feedback Graciously
No matter how inspirational you are as a leader, you are going to mess up eventually. Even if you don’t technically do anything wrong, the way you handle a particular situation can still rub someone the wrong way. Learn how to accept constructive criticism from both supervisors and supervisees without getting defensive. Remember that your first reaction is likely more about your pride than the truth of the matter. Set your initial feelings aside temporarily, to listen better and be a more effective leader in the long run.
Learning how to manage a team isn’t a skill you gain overnight. Use these strategies to cultivate your leadership and business management prowess.
