MBWA, Vince Lombari and Dr. Belasco

Well spring is finally here.  Maybe you were the type that was “wintering” over the past few months waiting for the weather to break so that you could really get your business going.  Maybe you’ve been like the squirrel that saved nuts all last fall, living off last year’s business.  Now you’ve come out of your “burrow” to find that the business landscape is changing much faster than in the past.   Competition is stiffer.  Social media seems to be passing you by.  Maybe you find that you need to increase your marketing budget more than is comfortable to help meet your goals.  Maybe it's getting harder to keep your staff engaged and motivated.  Yes, loyalty in business is a thing of the past.  And the political landscape is more polarized than ever.  And technology can make or break you.

So, how do you go forward?  Are your systems and procedures meeting the pace of your business?  Is your staff trained to handle the on-going activity as well as the exceptions and fire drills?  Can you rely on your organization to “get 'er done”?  Can you financially support even the replacement of assets as they have worn out or become obsolete?  Is everyone still fresh or do they seem frazzled and worn out? 

Assessing your organization is a critical management task that can be done using a number of management techniques.  Management by planning would have a regular assessment time set up to review not only staff performance but also performance of the primary assets of the company.  Considering the critical nature of key equipment, are you asking the financial questions needed to determine if replacement is necessary?  Make or buy?  Lease or purchase?  You need to have the proper financial information needed to answer these questions and the correct systems to get the information on a timely basis.

Management by exception is a popular method since it makes the basic assumption that everything is working to handle normal, regular activity.  It also assumes that the problem areas are where a manager needs to spend time.  The downside of this management technique is that it can seem like all you are doing is putting out fires.  Before you know it you feel like you don’t have time to plan and rework procedures to make them more efficient.  If you have talented staff that can dedicate the time to help with planning and fire fighting, then you may be okay.  If not, this may not be your best choice.

I have always preferred the management by walking around technique.  MBWA.  If you can spend even 15-30 minutes every day simply walking around and listening to your staff, you would be surprised at how much information you would get.  And the endearment to your staff can be amazing.  When I made the decision to step down as COO of a manufacturing company, I was truly touched by the comments from some of the entry-level staff.  It was because I spent the time to get to know them.  And I know that since they knew me better as a person and could ask anything, their increased knowledge of the company made them more productive and emotionally connected as a team. 

In these days of disloyalty between staff and business owners, it is always refreshing to see when people describe their workplace as “family”.  If you want that kind of culture in your company, communication and honesty go much farther than you would ever know.  I’ve always felt that as a manager or owner that your primary job is to provide the tools and training for others so that they can do their jobs at the peak of efficiency.  If you don’t incorporate fun and comradeship, you will lose out on an opportunity to create a great organization.

My teacher in Management 101 at San Diego State University was a public relations professional with the Green Bay Packers when Vince Lombardi was the head coach.  Dr. Belasco had high expectations of us as students.  Much like Lombardi had of his football team.  We were taught about how one leader put the tiny town of Green Bay on the professional football map.  Our teacher knew that each one of us had that kind of leadership potential.  There are many ways to manage people and only one way to lead and that is with integrity.  I challenge each of you to find that Vince Lombardi in each of you and have the courage and compassion to provide business leadership in your community.  It is always needed.