Workplace Issues
Organize your staffAs your small business grows, you'll find your biggest challenge is managing your team. ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca |
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Even if you only employ one or two people, it's important to spend more of your time helping your staff to manage their time.
Follow these suggestions to help your team organize and synergize:
Schedule weekly meetings. It's critical to bring everyone together at least once a week to review projects, discuss problems, identify opportunities and just connect. Find a quiet hour each week (a Friday afternoon or Monday morning works best) to hold your staff meeting. Circulate an agenda to keep your meeting focused and efficient.
Share to-do lists. Ask each person to bring their weekly to-do list. Be sure to bring your own list as well. A simple to-do list should include tasks, calls to make, meetings to attend, or projects to advance. It will allow you to see how your employees are spending their time and vice versa.
Use software. Insist that every employee uses the same software to organize their calendars, e-mails, tasks and contacts (such as Microsoft Outlook). That way you can set meetings or assign tasks that are automatically uploaded into each employee's desktop. You can also arrange to share calendars, so your staff can see your personal schedule and know when you're available to meet with them or a client.
Each new employee represents a huge investment for your small business. By taking some time to organize your team and maximize their individual productivity you'll generate some great returns.
Learn more about this topic and others in a free Staples Biz- Launch seminar. To find a location near you, visit www.Biz Launch.ca.
Start-up Expert Roger Pierce is co-founder of BizLaunch.ca, Canada's largest small business training company.
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