Albert Einstein’s said, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
This is so true and not just for the fish but for each of us.
There is a lot of talk about skill shortages, but have you taken a good look at your business and considered how staff can be upskilled? Is it necessary to get rid of certain employees who are just not performing, or do you need to change their environment to make it easier for them to deliver a good job? Can they be mentored and trained or are there easier systems which will help them thrive?
We all have different strengths and weaknesses and, as a business owner, you are required to know that each staff member is playing to their strengths e.g., don’t appoint an analytical member to the sales division, take them into the financial section. Someone not doing well in finance and you’ve noted that this person is the ‘life-of-the-party’ at work functions, then consider whether they would do better in sales. In other words, get to know your employees and utilize them in areas where they would deliver maximum benefit while being totally satisfied with their place in the business.
Gather up-to-date CV’s, they may have completed a course or two or taken on a second job and thus expanded their horizons. Don’t only find out that they are highly skilled when your competitor employs them.
If someone in your business is struggling you have to consider whether they are not fulfilling the potential you see in them because they are not doing what comes naturally or the system they’re using is either too complicated or not efficient enough for their use.
Sometimes all an employee needs is in-house training and perhaps mentoring by a more experienced senior employee. Individually engage with both senior and junior staff, it may be as easy as setting up a mentoring process in your business. Some senior staff would love the opportunity to develop and mentor junior staff.
Sometimes an employee can see that a system or procedure is long, outdated and inefficient but you’ve always done it that way and they must too. Some may not have an aptitude for fancy computer systems and processes and pen and paper will bring out the best in them, others are bright and keen and have urged you to relook at an updated option which could bring efficiencies to your business but you’ve deflated them by insisting on using old, outdated procedures and systems.
Reviewing skills will be challenging and time consuming, but the rewards will be huge as employees love to be challenged and will thrive in an encouraging environment.
It may do you good to review your skillset and perhaps hone your leadership qualities.
FourStrings can take a bird’s eye-view and streamline your business which will not only upskill your employees but leave them fulfilled in their jobs and much happier which will benefit your business.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU? www.foursrings.co.za
#upskill #coaching #training #workshop #mentoring
