If you were a fan of the Dilbert cartoon you're familiar with the concept of the pointy-haired boss. Friends fans will remember when Chandler got promoted his coworkers stopped being his friends and started referring to him as "Boss Man Bing." The theme is the same. The boss is the person in charge, they are not the pal of the employees. Many people struggle to find the balance between boss and compassionate coworker, particularly if their managerial status is the result of an internal promotion. That's why today we're going to focus on ways to be the boss without being too bossy. Keep reading for some tips and to learn more about how Stockpile easy inventory system can help your business succeed.
Set Clear Expectations
Whether you are the business owner or the newly promoted manager, it's important to set clear expectations for your employees. Employees need to know what is, and isn't, acceptable workplace behavior. If you're a stickler on punching a time clock, have strict dress code standards, or just want to see everyone giving 110% all the time, you need to let your employees know. Leaving guidelines open to interpretation can lead to frustration and disappointment for you and your employees. Putting these standards in writing also gives you legal recourse if your expectations aren't meant. In fact, it can be a good idea to have employees sign a code of conduct or other document that spells out your expectations and the conditions of their employment.
Be Firm but Fair
Just because everyone knows what to expect and has agreed to a certain set of standards that doesn't mean it will smooth sailing from here on out. There will probably be issues. It may be a simple misunderstanding, an accidental oversight, or a blatant disregard for the rules. Whatever the case may be, your best recourse is to be firm but fair. If you let employees get away with slacking off this behavior can quickly become a habit. You can't expect them to care about maintaining a high work standard if you don't seem to care. Coming down too hard on an employee can also set a bad precedent. If you seem unreasonable or irrational this can lead to fear and discontent among employees. That often pushes them to start seeking other employment and can give your business a bad reputation.
Recognize and Reward
When it comes to motivation most people prefer the carrot to the stick. Recognizing and rewarding employees who do a great job or who go above and beyond can encourage others to follow their example. Recognitions don't have to be elaborate or expensive. Sometimes even just a blast e-mail to tell your entire staff how pleased you were with one employee can be enough. If you'd like to do more some ideas include an afternoon off, a special treat like a baked good or a favorite coffee drink, or even a traveling totem that sits on the work area of the 'employee of the week'. Whatever you choose to do, remember that a little appreciation often goes a long way.
Stockpile Easy Inventory System
Worried about how you'll find time to work on your managerial style? Let Stockpile handle your inventory issues and you should have plenty of time to focus on other aspects of your business. Stockpile easy inventory system is so powerful and easy to use. Adding item records is simple. Because Stockpile is fully customizable you choose which fields to include in item records. This allows you to track the data that matters most to you. We know that every small business is unique, that's why we didn't create a one size fits all system. Stockpile is designed to work for you. We make it easy to track inventory whether you have one location or a dozen. Plus, Stockpile is scalable so it can grow with your small business. Running reports is quick and easy. Just a few clicks and you can access all the data that you need. Want to check on inventory while you're out of the office? You can! Stockpile is mobile compatible so you can access your data from your favorite mobile device. The best part is that Stockpile easy inventory system is available for free. So, what are you waiting for? Try Stockpile today!
