Now is a great time to recharge your workforce for the New Year. Sure, there is bad news in the Press, but when is there not bad news in the Press? Right, it's always bad news because that's what drives their business but it doesn't have to weigh down yours! As a leader or manager you can set the tone for yourself and your company's culture. Here's 5 suggestions how.
1) Lead by example. Be positive everyday. Energize yourself by planning your day and building in time to do a little MBWA - Management By Walking Around, but don't just walk around - talk to your employees. Find out what they are planning for the holidays. Ask them what they are looking forward to next year. Share your own plans and thoughts if they ask. Let them know they are valued as employees by asking them about their work. Seek their ideas for improving results or streamlining the work process or saving money during this current downturn in the economy.
2) Talk to your Customers, your Managers and your employees about the economy as a normal cyclical event, because that's what it is. Every few years it hiccups and it doesn't do much good to worry about who's fault it is or to place blame. Use your energy to figure out how to take advantage of it by buidling better relationships with customers, improving product or service quality, reducing costs and employee satisfaction.
3) Focus on improving your workforce while they are more receptive to change. Find out what other talents they have and interests or hobbies. Maybe these can be useful to your company. Everyone like challenges at work that fit their interests and skills, so use this time to make sure your people's strengths are maximized. Maybe that average sales person would be a great customer service manager. Perhaps that Receptionist is quite capable of assuming greater responsibility and would welcome more stimulating work.
4) Provide training and coaching where it will do the most good. There are regulatory changes effective each year and you may need to ensure your staff is aware of them, such as the ADA Amendments Act regarding disabilities. Maybe your organization could use Diversity Training or a review of Sexual Harassment do's and don'ts. Keep your people focused on improving how they do their work and seek their creativity in news ways to grow the business by taking advantage of the opportunities present within the current downturn.
5) Be a source of positive news to your Customers. Reassure them of your actions to continue to maintain and improve high quality standards. Talk to them about how you can help them during this period. Perhaps there are new ways to build stronger alliances with them that will pay off handsomely as their business returns to normal.
