8 TIPS FOR

NEW

BUSINESS

MANAGERS HERB KIMBLE | CEO | METIS APAX

Being a business manager can be difficult, even for those with significant experience. Management requires that individuals call upon many different skill sets, and that they balance numerous responsibilities at once. Perhaps most challenging of all, business managers must perfect the art of effectively leading others. For those new to business management, CEO of Metis Apax Herb Kimble offers 8 tips for making mastering business management easier.

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Though you may want to prove your ability to enact change right from the start, remember that you still have

much to learn. Spend the first weeks, or even months, in your new position constantly listening and learning

about your company and its employees. Frequently ask questions, connect with colleagues and your team,

and do your research. You can’t make smart decisions unless they’re informed decisions.

TIP #1: LISTEN AND LEARN

Though getting a feel for your company and its team is important, so too is making clear your standards

right from the start. Schedule an introductory meeting with your team on your first day, and outline major

expectations. From there, hold regular meetings to dive into more specific expectations about protocol, etc.,

and make these expectations accessible in written form for employees’ future reference.

TIP #2: SET EXPECTATIONS EARLY

The first few weeks at any new job can be a little overwhelming. However, make sure that as a manager, you remain in control of your work schedule. Part of this will involve creating a clear plan your first week of work that outlines short-term and long-term goals with deadlines, along with an action plan as to how these goals will be accomplished.

TIP #3: CREATE A PLAN

Your success as a manager will heavily depend on the relationships you establish with your team. Team members should feel comfortable coming to you with questions and concerns about their work, and this level of comfort can only be achieved when you take the initiative to get to know team members on an individual basis. Hold one-on-one meetings to learn more about their goals, what they expect from you as a manager, as well as more about who they are as people.

TIP #4: GET TO KNOW EMPLOYEES

INDIVIDUALLY

Seek out a mentor in your workplace who will be willing to offer tips and advice as you learn the ropes of management. Your mentor could be your direct superior, or it could be a manager in another department who has more years of experience. Either way, mentors can decrease your likelihood of learning things the “hard way” by letting you know what to expect, or offering insight as to the best course of action for handling a tough situation.

TIP #5: FIND A MENTOR

One of the best ways to build your own confidence and earn the respect of your team is to take initiative on something you know you’re ready to handle early on. This could be volunteering to lead up a small project, trying out a new approach that’s relatively low risk, or simply going the extra mile to help an employee resolve an issue with a task. These little acts of initiative will help establish your credibility and pave the way for making more influential decisions in the future.

TIP #6: PROVE YOU’RE CREDIBLE

It’s no secret that management can be a stressful job. In addition to your responsibilities regarding business strategy, you’re also tasked with handling issues with employees. While meeting with an employee to discuss his or her chronic tardiness is never enjoyable, especially when you have ten other items on your agenda to attend to, remember that it’s your job to stay positive. Your frustration will be easily visible to your entire team, and may cause them to be more stressed and discontent as a result.

TIP #7: MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

You can’t do it all! One of the hardest realities new managers must face is that they simply can’t meet everyone’s expectations. Throughout the course of the day multiple co-workers and employees may be asking for things that can’t be accomplished within suggested time frames. That’s why it makes sense to prioritize and delegate. If you can’t immediately attend to a task, give the individual making the request a revised time frame. Or, when you know a task could easily be accomplished by an employee who has the time and skill, delegate.

TIP #8: LEARN TO DELEGATE

Becoming an effective business manager requires continual assessment and growth; however, with these 8 tips, new business managers can avoid common pitfalls of the position and gain confidence more quickly.

For more insight on business management, check in with Herb Kimble frequently!