So, if your business isn’t improving this could be why. It’s not long before the start of the big dance. The men’s NCAA basketball tourney; the Road to Final Four. The NCAA is headquartered here in Indy, and I’ve been privileged to attend presentations and meet members of their marketing team. They sought input. They wanted to improve.

If Your Business isn’t Improving This Could Be Why

There Are Many Paths to a Championship

The 64 teams seeking the Final Four have many varied game plans. Some depend on three-point production, others on a stifling defense, and others on controlling the ball and limiting turnovers. Regardless of the plan, I know this for sure. They will all work on basics—shooting, passing, and dribbling. And they all will look for areas to improve. That’s a constant.

What’s Holding You Back?

Whatever your business plan, there are basics we all should concentrate on; organizational shooting, dribbling, and passing. However, we often don’t want to invest the time or funds. Let me explain. A department manager approached me seeking advice about establishing teamwork between his department and another. He felt they sometimes needed to work better together. I offered to:

  • Complete individual improvement surveys with his team (15-20 minutes with each team member).
  • Conduct a weekly meeting with his team on silo-busting, establishing cross-training, and interaction with the other department. (30 minutes per week.)

The manager told me they didn’t have time. If your business isn’t improving, it’s because you need to work on improvements. I didn’t say you weren’t working hard. You may be working your tail off to the point you don’t believe you have time to invest in improvement. Businesses don’t magically get better. They improve because someone championed the improvement and someone strove to make it better. Someone took the time to improve.

What Should You Work on?

While it’s always good to have a business plan, marketing outline, and a financial path, improvement begins with the basics—shooting, dribbling, and passing; in business, that’s training, maintenance, and flow.

Continuous Training 

Train procedures, systems, and policies, but don’t stop there. Offer leadership training and team-building exercises. Continuous improvement begins with continuous training.

Equipment Maintenance

Equipment should be maintained at the highest levels on a continuous schedule. Safety and efficiency should always be the priority. Losing the production of shutting down a machine for half a day’s maintenance almost always pays for itself.

Staff Flow

Placing personnel where and when they’re most needed. Reducing production slowdowns by giving clear expectations. Allowing staff to complete projects before shifting to another. Helping your team do their best makes your business better.

Continuous Improvement is an Investment 

Many agree that investing time and money in training, equipment, and flow is the surest way to improve. However, when it comes time to turn off a machine for a tune-up, take your team off a task for a training session, or send personnel from your department to help another, too often, it’s another story. Let me end with this thought. None of us have gotten better at anything without working at it or investing the time and energy needed. Why would we expect our businesses to be any different?

How Can I Help You?

I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment. I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me. 

So, does your business have a management training plan? Because, if not, many organizations, large and small, use my book, The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management, as the basis for their leadership development program. Check it out.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like, Stop Setting Your Team Up to Fail: The Multitasking Myth

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay