Small Business: 10 Important Tips On The Importance Of Meeting Staff Expectations

High visibility and high dependency are major issues facing managers in small-medium business. They interact daily with staff. Their moods, their reactions, their highs and lows are on show for all to see. Staff depend on them for their livelihood. If the business fails, staff lose their jobs. These two issues create expectations that need to be successfully managed.

Small business owners and managers face two special issues. Your staff see and talk to you daily, even frequently each day. You're exposed in both good times and bad. That's high visibility. The other's high dependency. If you're business doesn't succeed, their jobs are seriously threatened. Manage staff expectations carefully.

1. Be Consistent Stick to your message.

Saying one thing today and the opposite tomorrow disturbs staff. They find it hard to "get the message" if, as they see it, it changes all the time.

2. Be Predictable.

You can be "soft", "hard", "erratic", "mean", "generous" or "considerate". But whatever you are, be that way most of the time. Changing from "despot" to "benefactor" isn't a problem if you're always like that. It's a huge problem if you change from one to the other unexpectedly. Your people expect your behaviour to be predictable.

3. Be Human.

When you make an error, admit it. Don't hide your ignorance. If you don't know smoething, say so. If you need help, ask for it. You'll get no credit from staff if you fail to admit to your human limitations.

4. Value Their Contribution

And Say So Without your staff, your business wouldn't exist. They may be far from perfect and cause you some headaches. But they're the lifeblood of your business. Look for opportunities to tell them how much you value their contribution. And be sincere.

5. Know What You Want.

Do your staff know exactly what you're trying to achieve and what you expect them to contribute? Most managers think staff do know. Ask your staff. You may be surprised.

6. Keep Them In The Loop.

Let staff know about changes, improvements, new products and markets and other matters that in a large business may be seen as "management only". There are few secrets in small business. What you don't tell them, they'll invent.

7. Explain Why They Matter.

Tell each employee precisely why their work is important, how it contributes to the success of the business and how it affects other employees. Small businesses are always susceptible to damage from small errors made in ignorance.

8. Lead.

You are the manager. They expect you to behave like a leader. There'll be times when they won't like your leadership style. But they expect you to sound and look like a leader not "one of the boys or girls".

9. Be An Advocate For The Business.

All staff have personal and professional agendas that may impair their judgement. The small business manager or owner must always ask "How does that affect the business?" and "Is that good for the business?" Every employee depends for their livelihood on the success of the business. Your staff want a strong business advocate.

10. Reward Fairly and Well.

Everything I've said is jeopardised if staff feel that they're inadequately rewarded. You don't need to throw money about recklessly. But your people must feel - I repeat, "feel" - that they're getting their "fair share".

Conclusion.

Small business owners and managers are keen to achieve their business goals. Sometimes they forget or ignore staff expectations. But the better you manage staff expectations the more likely you are to have a successful business.