Get More From Your People

By: Alistair Baker, CEO & Founder, Cogent Business Limited

I have always had a deep regard for management consultants... they seem to have this amazing knack to encapsulate in words the tempo and vogue of the times and how managers should get the most from their people. The most memorable phase that had me shaking my head was used by a top flight consultancy who talked about "sweating your assets" which rather fitted the 90's dog-eat-dog, get rich quick era of the Internet boom and bust. There are lots of ways you can get the BEST from your people that do not involve whips, bridles or any form of perspiration.

So how, as a small business owner or manager, do you get the best out of your people? The reality is that there should be no difference in how you manage your people within a company whether it is large or small. In fact, employees in a small company should by rights be getting better management as proximity should not be an issue. Here are four top tips that work for me!

  1. Set clear objectives: Give your people clear objectives as to what you want them to achieve over a period of time. These need to be discussed and agreed, so there is a clear sense of direction for the employees. Naturally these have to be achievable but also stretching in their scope and personal to the individual. An agreed form of measurement helps assess performance at the end of the objective period.

  2. Regular communications: Keep your people informed about what is happening in the business. Being clear about what is happening and why certain decisions are been taken will both help maintain interest in the broader business objectives and help people feel connected and involved. If you can afford the time, invest in regular catch-ups with your people, or run small group feedback forums, you will be amazed at what you learn as well as what you can impart!

  3. Empowerment: Empowerment is an incredibly powerful management tool. Used wisely it will allow your people to have more participation in the business. Getting the balance between empowerment and accountability is very important as will be providing the right coaching to ensure that both parties benefit from this powerful tool.

  4. Growth and development: Train your people, develop your people, and invest in the right tools for your people. If you make the right investments, the rewards will follow for both your business and the individual. This can cost as little as some investment of your time. Personally I run sessions for my younger staff on how businesses operate in key areas such as finance and marketing. Great grounding for them and they push me as hard as I push them!

If you make the investment in your staff their job satisfaction will go up as will their loyalty to you and your company; you will get more from your people without a bead of sweat in sight.

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