01/12/2008
Managing Staff in Tough Times
Tough times call for strategic planning…….and focusing on the quality of your staff.
Strategic planning is crucial for your business to survive and to ultimately succeed.
Firstly you need to articulate to everyone in your business what your compelling vision and guiding principles are, and with this as a foundation, to build your plan.
You have looked at your competition and found your niche market. You have examined the current economic situation and your product services. You have considered technology trends and patterns of customer behaviour. You can try to predict where your industry is going in the next few years. You have done all this, but have you considered your staff? Does your staff have the ability, skills and experience to help you to achieve your company goals?
How would you answer these questions…
- What are the strengths of your employees?
- Are there skill gaps?
- Do your employees have the ability to grow and develop into the areas you want them to move into?
- Do you have a good representation of people with different abilities that are essential to the growth of a business, for example customer service, sales orientation, attention to detail and follow through, organisational skills, negotiators, thinking outside the box – innovators, people that can plan and think ahead.
- Could your company do better with a change of one key person?
Constant review of your staff is imperative, particularly during slower periods. Look for opportunities to mentor employees that need to lift their performance, or if that proves unsuccessful, consider redeployment or separation. Also, give thought to bringing new employees with skills that you have identified as lacking in your company.
As people re-enter the job market due to retrenchments, there is a higher candidate pool available for work.
In addition, you need to keep your employees informed about where your company is going, communicate with them about your plans for the coming period. They may make assumptions or be uncertain about their future with your company. It may lead them to look elsewhere for another job.
Keeping everyone informed and engaging them in the company’s plans is crucially important. You need to actively communicate to keep your key people in the business.
Maria Cordi holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) plus a Master of Applied Science (Psychology of Coaching) and has more than twenty years experience in recruitment, career planning, coaching, training and human resources. She has held senior positions in recruitment and training with such companies as Westpac and Psychological Assessments Australia. Maria Cordi is a Key Account Manager with Nine2Three and is available for staff coaching.
Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.
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