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Essential Management Elements Truly Work – The Big Four
By Marsha Lindquist
Successful management elements have been written about for decades. Some organizations have implemented many of these practices with varying degrees of success. Others have tried one or two and wondered why they didn’t get rich quick. The answer is simple and not all that surprising. There are four basic elements. Follow them and you will flourish. These are not new concepts nor are they startling. But they are basics and without them, doing the “fancy stuff” means your organization will spend more money, exert more energy, and still miss attaining your expected results.
The four fundamentals at which an organization must excel mean making more money or meeting budgets, succeeding in accomplishing the goals of the organization, and being sought after as examples of “how to thrive”. All of this spells success. These four fundamentals are not easy. Even though you may look at these and think your organization is doing these every day, you may be missing the mark if you fail to remain focused on these first four.
The Four Main Fundamentals of Successful Organizations
1. Overall Plan Focus
2. Open-Minded Corporate Culture
3. Nimble And Quick
4. Implement Flawlessly
Overall Plan Focus
Concentrate on a clear overall plan. This means keeping the big picture in focus. When you create a strategy that is clearly defined, provides value for your clients, and is objectively devised, you will have the basics of a plan you can live with and continue to implement. Your plan should not be based upon gut feel but rather a compilation by those who have a vested interest in it succeeding. Communicate this strategy to all in your organization, your clients, and investors or allies. Be sure to focus on this strategy and post it, either literally or figuratively. Most that succeed have this strategy clearly in front of them and review it continuously – using the power of their subconscious mind to own it.
Open-Minded Corporate Culture
Foster an open-minded corporate culture and share your accomplishment orientation with all you touch. Whether you are a corporation, association, or educational institution, be champion-like in your efforts. In order to this, you must foster an environment where it is fun to work. Many of you know I am a great proponent of injecting humor and fun into the work atmosphere. The environment should not be child-like but rather challenging, stimulating, and satisfying. Enlightened companies know that when people look forward to and enjoy their work surroundings they produce better results and the bottom line improves as well. But here I am also talking about holding out great expectations for your company employees. Expect and ask people to be champion-like in their attitude and approach. Instill them with the power to make independent decisions and carry out leadership roles for projects they feel passionate about. Encourage them to take ownership of a project and then reward them handsomely for great performance. Do your employees know what your values are? Clear organization values will give them the basis for knowing what is expected of them and what you stand for. Good leadership will allow them to internalize your goals as their own.
Nimble and Quick
Maintain a flexible and flat organization. If you want to accomplish much with the great ease, be gazelle-like. Organizations that are bureaucratic and highly-structured cannot operate at maximum efficiency and turn on a dime. Organizations that are heavily controlled are also full of excess costs, large egos, and exhibit complicated decision making. When an organizational culture encourages and fosters the easy sharing of information, straightforward communication, and cooperation and team spirit much can be accomplished. Simple ways of doing business both with one another and for your clients will go a long way to making your organization easy to work with. Create an environment where the best people are rewarded with the choice action. Plainly stated, get rid of your dinosaurious ways – they’re heavy and outdated.
Implement Flawlessly
Insist always on sound operational implementation. You will be exceptional if you direct your energies to create clients who are delirious fans. Be disciplined deliverers of excellence and your clients will come back time after time. If you just meet your clients’ expectations you will still be great because most of your competition will not even do that. You may not always charm them, but never let them down. Deliver exactly what you love to deliver and add a dose of what no one else is doing to satisfy your clients. Be consistent in meeting their needs and you will have them coming back for more. Give the employees who are closest to clients the power and authority to react to client requests. Finally, strive to improve your productivity or your service by eliminating excess or wasteful movement.
The strongest organizations are those that live by these four basic elements of good sound management. You can do all the fancy stuff will little or no results and you would have spent money and time on things that make little difference. Follow these four essentials, and you won’t go wrong no matter how mature your organization is.
About the Author
Marsha Lindquist, a business strategist for over 15 years, draws on her proven “down in the trenches” experience, creativity, and participative manner to provide real solutions to businesses to assist them in building and growing their businesses. She is an energetic presenter and is also the Chief Executive Officer of The Management Link, Inc. As well as being the author of “Why Are You Still Working Your A** Off?”, she has written and published several professional journal articles on business strategy and negotiations. She can be reached by E-mail at Marsha@MarshaLindquist.com
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