As the economy continues to sputter along, agency owners and leaders all across the country have to keep asking themselves what to do. Do I hire more people to try to grow my business? Do I let a few people go to keep operating in the black? Or do I search for more business and add to our workloads?
Whatever you or your leaders are deciding to do, keep this in mind: it’s tough out there. Just when it seems that the tide might be turning, there is another piece of bad news waiting just around the corner. I was on a conference call with people from all across the country in the fall of 2008 when someone spoke up. It was a random comment, but what this man said has stuck with me. He said, “Our bosses gathered us all up to calm our fears. They told us in the meeting that our company had decided to not participate in the recession.”
Imagine what would happen if bosses all over the globe would say that. I’m not an economist, but I do believe when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
That being said, with the economic times we are in, how do leaders manage the needs of the business versus the needs of staff? Well, I will venture to say that they are equally important. So, what are the most important factors for leaders to keep in mind when balancing their team vs. their clients?
- To build a strong team, the team needs to feel like they are a part of each and every decision. Of course the leaders make the decisions, but the more team members; employees feel like they are a part of the process of the business, the more results and retention you are likely to have.
- Make sure that each and every decision made at every level matches the overall vision, values and goals of the company. The moment someone strays – everyone strays. Keep the herd together.
- Leaders must see the big picture. And I mean the big picture. Not only must leaders show their staff that they care about them, both personally and professionally, that same care must be taken for each client. The vision and values apply to everyone who does business with your company.
What other things come into play when balancing the needs of staff vs. clients?
(flickr photo via lumaxart)
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