Business Management Through the Ages
Some say the first position in business management was Adam's job to effectively manage Eve. We all know how that went. From time immemorial, organizations ranging from Adam and Eve's two person operation all the way to the today's international corporate monoliths have faced the challenges associated with managing people.
Management can be compared to the game of chess. The basic rules and tenets can be learned in a week, however mastery often takes a lifetime. Leadership is both an innate and learned talent. Some of us are born leaders. Others require much study and practice to assume the mantle of being a business executive.
Although the buzzwords have evolved from "winning friends and influencing people" of the early 1900's to todays "social networking", the core tenets of management have remained surprisingly similar and simple. Experts and pundits dress it up within catchy phrases and slick powerpoints. However, the most important elements of managing can be derived from simple common sense. The first obvious, but little followed, rule is to put yourself in the shoes of your employee.
How would you perceive yourself as a boss should you have to work for yourself? This is an important reflection all managers should ponder. Most, however, remain focused on their own needs and problems ignoring the perspective of those working under them. This often proves to be a critical business mistake leading to staff disloyalty. Once you have lost the respect and loyalty of your employees, your mission becomes close to impossible.
The particular skills necessary to facilitate the managing of your business can widely vary. Are you initially without administrative help? A quick typing class might be a good idea to avoid sending out memorandums claiming how well you are absorbing the concepts of businessmanagement. Will you be managing a relatively large staff? If so, books relating to motivation and office politics should be high on the reading list.
From comic strips to television sitcoms, the communication (or lack thereof) within the business office has been ridiculed. Much of leadership relates to communication, yet most leaders assume their employees can magically read their minds. Being able to effectively communicate tasks, ideas, and more esoteric concepts such as corporate culture is paramount in ensuring the success of any organization. Many managers attempt to communicate with each employee in the exact same style and demeanor. Unless you have a staff of genetic clones, this method will prove disastrous. Each employee is a unique person requiring different management techniques. If this were not so, we'd have a computer program that would be able to manage us all.
Even more important to remember is that communication is a two way street. A good leader is also a good listener. Employees need to feel free to express their opinions, questions or concerns. An "open door" policy is a wise decision for any new manager. Listen intently when a member of your staff is speaking to you. Workers who feel their input is valued will exhibit increased loyalty to their manager.
One is never done studying management. There is always something else to learn. Today, the Internet provides for a wide palate of resources geared to both the new as well as experienced manager. Obviously, as always, one should exercise sound judgment when selecting which guidance to follow. A book or web site titled "U 2 Can Lern Businessmanagement" is probably best avoided. In addition to written material, often the best resource is a trusted mentor who can guide you through the various traps and riddles all managers face at one time or another during their tenure.
In time, you will develop your own style as a manager which best suits your personality. Unfortunately, most often the only way to learn is through the trial and error method. Learn from your mistakes. Seek guidance from a mentor. Avail yourself to the world of free resources that exist at your fingertips online. No matter how long you have been managing people there is always more to learn.
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Go to this site for more revealing info on business management topics in general, and for specific topics such as: where to find an Mp3 Audio Book on your desired business topics. Article written by Riv Schoel
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