Assemble a staff of flexible people. Make sure you have a management team that can be flexible
and adapt to changes.
Lots of people can do very
well at managing a business of a
certain size, but when it doubles
or triples, it sometimes requires
that they be able to have a different set of skills.
You need to be flexible. You
need to be in touch with your
clients constantly. You need to
be able to adapt to having multiple opinions. You have to have a
very open mind and be willing
to change your direction.
We look for people that can
motivate people, that can manage them, that can inspire them.
If you’re going to go to a specific place with your business,
everyone has to agree that
they’re going to that place. You
have to have a management
team that agrees on the vision
and the direction that you’ve set
forth. Then they have to have the
ability to execute on that vision.
Train employees to know the company and its vision inside and out.
It’s important you set up a training program within your divisions that makes your employees experts in the area of where
they work. But I also think it’s
critical that you set up training
that allows people to understand everything you do.
It’s training you do in a day,
training you do in workshops
and in seminars, and it’s training
that takes place over a period of
a year or two.
As the CEO of this company,
coming in here, I didn’t understand everything we did for
probably up to two years. Until
you see your products in use
with your customers, until you
talk to your clients and understand where they’re going, it’s
impossible to understand everything you do.
It’s important to make sure
they get a very broad understanding of your product and
how that relates to the vision
and direction.
If they understand what you
do and they understand where
you’re going, then they can buy
off and be more motivated and
excited, not only about what
you do but other opportunities
for them to grow and expand
within the company.
Stay connected with employees. I
think the most successful thing
you can do with your employees
is speak to them face to face.
Let them have a chance to ask
questions. Assume in many
cases they’re intimidated to ask
questions, so you have to have a
pulse from your managers as to
what you think they’re worried
about. You have to literally
answer those questions before
they raise them.
You need to stay informed.
Companies that are doing well
in tough environments have
executive teams that are
involved in their businesses.
HOW TO REACH: 3E Co., (760) 602-8700 or www.3ecompany.com
