Owning a business versus Managing a business

The last three years for me in business have been a real revelation.When one is busy managing a career in the Corporate industrial business world , one is too busy learning and being driven to build a career that sometimes it is difficult to imagine that you could ever help a small business owner run his or her business.

The facts are very different.

When I was managing many different businesses in competitive environments , the most significant contribution to be made was to manage people and business processes to achieve two things.

These are Customer Service and Profitability.

In making the transition to the SME world I assumed those things would be omnipresent, more immediate and natural instincts for owners whose entire livelihood was dependent on employees and customers.

The common feature however, is that people management and therefore attention to detail , and well managed business processes are not necessarily the attributes of the boss.

I feel very comfortable now because I am able to help.

Two owners recently actually asked me to review organisation and re-set the dials , so to speak , to get the heartbeat of the team working with common purpose and goals

The biggest issue was delegation and follow up.If you don't do the first there is no need to do the second...Not good !!

The second biggest issue is learning to trust , even those with whom the owner has been working for years.

The third thing is that to change culture and processes one has to start with the knowledge already available in the skills of the employees.To crank that up the owner has to manage people.

Ah the old chestnut returns !!!!!!!!

Everyone has to be a sales person

Is it me ? , or has this concept of outward facing management focus been around for a long time.

I mean by this that , especially in difficult trading circumstances , everyone has to think about customers and drive their behaviour accordingly

I see so many organisations who have fantastic sales personnel but never visit people in the business or communicate the challenges , other than the occasional e mail.

Where did the great drive of 70'S and 80'S to get people to be 360 degree re customer service? Instead we are more focused on silo organisations , mainly in the hope that makes us efficient.

There has never been a more important time to change habits profoundly , to set measures and apply management processes that ensures the revenue source is protected to the maximum.Customer Service is the only real measure and it is simply to apply.

Sales is not just for the sales team , the delivery of the order involves everyone in the organisation.

Management of people counts even more now

As I made the initial transition from the Corporate day job earning a salary,to one of advising business owners and shareholders I initially struggled about what to call my business and how to present myself.

Consultant thought I , but that comes tainted with the principle of asking clients questions and replaying the information back to the client....I jest of course.

Mentor , a new word for me , which means you coach or teach people how to run a business. Sure that is what I wanted to do and that is what I do now , but it is more than that.

I have spent some months helping businesses and the truth is that I do build operating processes , I do recommend financial prudence and control , develop appropriate sales and marketing strategies , but even more valuable teach people how to manage other people and situations.

I meet clever people all the time, some are bordering on genius , but the first rule of running a business is often overlooked.Excellent business processes reduce the need for personal intervention and involvement,but hands on support is a vital tool in helping employees meet targets consistently.

However bizarre this sounds , I was told in management development to welcome problems. This infers human interaction and understanding and it works. I did not need to be taught, I say with no arrogance , as it seemed a natural thing for me to do , but demonstrating leadership is the root of the problem and solution

Social networking is the medium by which 500 million people interact with humankind on Facebook alone.Bosses today have to compete for attention of employees in a world where competition is Global and economic growth is uncertain.Staying in touch with people in the business is key