Don't Aim to Be Popular, Be Effective
Managing your employees is not a popularity contest. When you remain focused on real goals so will they.
As
the leader of my online marketing company VerticalResponse, I wear a lot
of hats and do many things. The one thing I'm not down with is being in a
popularity contest because this isn't high school, it's my business and my No.
1 priority is to serve my customers and my investors. But, this doesn't mean
I'm not in service to my team, because I'll be the first one to tell
you, I work for them and I'm here to help them be more effective.
It
All Rolls Up to You
With
SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive) goals,
your company's goals should cascade in a nice waterfall from the executive team
to each level. But what this also means is that at the top of the org chart,
you're ultimately responsible to beat the drum that gets things done so when
you sit at that next board meeting you aren't sweating bullets. In order to get
things done you've gotta do a few things that the most successful CEOs,
including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, (who currently rules the roost in the No. 1 spot in
a survey by Glassdoor.com) do:
Have
a Clear Vision
Even
during a time like now, when my business is going through an incredible
change, we've made it a huge priority to be as open and
transparent about where we are, where we're headed and be 100 percent honest
about any risks, challenges or delays. We hold town hall style meetings twice a
month to keep everyone on the same page and enable them to ask questions and
provide input and feedback. This has been incredibly effective at keeping us
all in rhythm and keep the momentum and excitement building and let everyone
know how what they do plays a role in our success and growth.
Have
a Rock Solid Company Culture
VerticalResponse
has always been a serious place. As in serious fun. We're here to build the
best online marketing tools and resources for our customers so marketing their
businesses is a snap. But that doesn't mean we have to dress in suits and ties
and write in corporate speak. On the contrary, I've been known to sport my
"Off The Deep End" t-shirt on software release days and last Friday
there was a nerf gun fight that broke out just before our weekly happy hour. We
try to support a work hard, play hard mentality. What's really great is that we
often hear the thing people most like about working here are their co-workers.
When you've got a solid company culture, you'll attract more of the kind of
good folks you've already got.
Keep
Moving Forward
After
12 years of leading my company, my passion for small businesses hasn't wavered
a bit. I eat, dream and breathe small business and my team knows it. By having
the same level, if not even more of a vested
interest in our customer's success than I had the day I started
VerticalResponse, I help us continue to move the business forward. That's why
we're going through the massive change we are right now and will continue to
evolve to stay ahead of the curve. But, I can't do it alone. I need everyone,
at every level sharing that clear vision we talked about, taking initiative and
thinking like a boss to move it.
By: Janine Popick
Source: Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment