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Tips for Transforming a Companys Culture

Transforming a company’s culture isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of courage, dedication, and plenty of humility. While that’s sounds contradictory or confusing, it’s actually the case. You’re going to need to lead in a new direction and be able to take things in stride (at least, to a point). Because changing an organization’s culture will feel much like trying to push a boulder up a steep hill. At any moment, it can roll right over you. But, if you know a few ways to deal with this change, you’ll have a much better shot at success.

Tips for Transforming a Company’s Culture

It’s very common for a company’s culture to reflect the prevailing management style. Let’s face it, most individuals tend to hire people who reflect their own style, so this isn’t a surprise. That means if a hiring manager or another leader has certain bad habits, chances are excellent others on team will likewise possess those same or like behaviors. It’s also true that culture doesn’t form overnight. It takes time for a company culture to develop.

As a [business owner] or as a manager, you may have the power to change your organization’s policies with the stroke of a pen. And you may have the ability to hire, fire, promote and demote people with relatively little effort. But changing an entrenched culture is the toughest task you will face. To do so, you must win the hearts and minds of the people you work with, and that takes both cunning and persuasion. —The Wall Street Journal

Once that culture forms, it’s very difficult to change. People become complacent and it takes a significant event to shake that off. It could be a big change in the industry for the worse, losing a lot of money, a sudden shrink in customers, or something else. Great cultures drive productivity and profits. Poor cultures slow productivity and profits. Culture starts with Leadership. So, it’s very important to realize when the culture is toxic and/or when crazy has infiltrated the business. It’s at this juncture you need to take immediate action. Here are some helpful tips for transforming a company’s culture:

Team-up with an insider. If you are new to the business, team-up with an insider — someone who can give you the details of what’s happened is a very valuable person. Or, if you’re part of a company that’s just gone awry, you still need someone you can trust. A person who gives you confidence you’re getting the straight story. You’ll learn a lot and probably discover different ways to get back on-track.
Get feedback from team members. Aside from your go-to person, you still need to solicit feedback from the entire team. Encourage people to communicate their experiences and expectations. This is a great way to identify who is and isn’t working out. You’ll know by each person’s input and reactions who is an asset and who is a liability. Then, you can work with individuals to help them improve.
Define the limits and be extra clear. While getting in-the-loop will provide a lot of valuable information, it’s not going to be a magic bullet. You’ll still need to define boundaries and be very clear on your expectations. Remember the old saying, “To be unclear is to be unkind.” It’s true and will certainly prove as much if you do not define your goals.
Be bold and take the lead when necessary. What all of this means is, you’ll have to lead by example. You must set the tone day in and day out so everyone has a chance to adjust. Eventually, a new normal, a better culture, will evolve.

Have you taken over an organization and changed its culture? How did you approach the situation? What other tips and tricks do you suggest to change a company’s culture. Please share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment.

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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My Best Employee Plans to Leave in the New Year, What can I Do?

December 16, 2021 No Comments

The Great Resignation continues to unfold. At least, that’s what’s it’s been dubbed in the press to describe the phenomenon of a mass departure, largely regarded as due to the global pandemic shutdowns which caused a huge number of workers to rethink their career paths. So, an unprecedented amount of employees are leaving their current (or previous) positions, seeking out other opportunities. Couple this with the impending New Year and it makes for a particularly precarious employment environment. That means it’s quite possible, you’ll find yourself facing the same situation. Fortunately, there are preventative steps you can take to keep your best employee on board. Biggest Mistakes to Avoid Obviously, this will stir a number of negative feelings. You’ll likely feel angry, betrayed, baffled, and perhaps sad. These negative emotions cause people to act out in rash, impulsive ways. So, be sure to keep your emotions in check, which is to say in perspective, proportionate to the reality of the situation. If necessary, take a few minutes to step away from everything and allow yourself time to relax and clear your mind. When your right-hand person or a rising rock star in your business tells you they’re about to leave, it can be an emotional experience, says Rich Reinecke, co-managing partner of business consulting firm Fahrenheit Advisors. ‘It can be very emotional, initially. Sometimes you’re angry. Sometimes you’re scared,’ he says. But what you do next can have serious repercussions for your business. —Fast Company.com If you don’t act in a rational manner, proportionate to the circumstances, you will come unglued and that’s not helpful to anyone. Instead, keep your composure and act in your own best interest so you don’t hurt your chances of keeping your best employee from leaving. After all, he or she made this decision based on a number of factors and there’s probably a good reason why he or she came to this conclusion. 3 Effective Employee Retention Strategies If your best employee tells you that he or she is leaving next year, you obviously don’t have much time to change his or her mind. However, that doesn’t mean their exit is inevitable. You might be able to get him or her to stay. Here are a few effective employee retention strategies you can use: Have a meaningful conversation. Although money usually plays a significant role, more compensation isn’t always the driving force. There are instances when employees make completely lateral moves from one company to another and pay isn’t a factor. Of course, you’ll probably assume he or she will be paid more, but don’t convince yourself that’s the only reason. Take some time to have a one-on-one conversation and listen carefully to what he or she has to say. You might just find out there are other reasons for their decision to go and you can address those issues one by one. Show your sincere appreciation. Perhaps your right hand is choosing to leave because they feel they have hit a ceiling and are stuck. This is a very common rationalization people use in order to convince themselves to leave their current positions. After you’ve spoken with him or her, be sure to take immediate action to show your appreciation. This can include but isn’t limited to: giving them more say about what’s going on, promoting the individual, or offering a few more persuasive perks. Increase his or her financial incentive. obviously, money talks. And, if the main reason he or she is considering leaving, simply offer to match their new compensation package. If this strategy isn’t feasible right now, you can always do things like extra paid time off, or incremental, scheduled pay raises, or even offering more benefits. What other methods would you suggest using to keep a key employee from leaving? Please share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your unique perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Solve the Biggest Problem a Work Routine Creates

March 4, 2020 No Comments

Every entrepreneur has heard the advice to adopt a work routine. While it’s certainly helpful in a number of ways, it can eventually lead to feeling stuck, stifled, and unrewarding. That’s definitely no place anyone wants to be because it becomes counterproductive. What’s more, it drains your energy and doesn’t help to fulfill your passion. It’s called a rut and it’s the single biggest problem with following a routine. Advantages of Having a Routine Now, there’s a whole lot of good that comes from establishing a routine. It helps you to keep focused, stay on-task, on-time, and avoid wasting effort on unimportant tasks. Plus, a routine helps to ensure you check off entries on your to-do list, one prioritized item at a time. A routine that is too rigid can become a rut, and a rut can become a trap. Some people are so adamant about sticking to “the routine,” that it becomes a full-blown stress when anything disturbs it. And you can count on disturbances! They are a part of life. But these people have forgotten how to think outside the cherished routine. The joy of spontaneity is missing. —Self Growth Moreover, a routine lets you know precisely where you are at any given time. Then, there’s the psychological and emotional benefit of having peace of mind. When you follow a routine, you’re much less likely to feel anxious or stressed out. 3 Effective Ways Entrepreneurs can Break Out of Work Rut Although there are a number of benefits to following a routine, the biggest downside is it turning into a dreaded rut. This is a bad situation and will only worsen, if you don’t stop the cycle. Here are three effective ways entrepreneurs can break out of a work rut: Change things up. Okay, this one’s obvious but it’s necessary because it’s so hard to actually do. When you change things up, you’ll feel like chaos has broken loose. You’ll also probably feel a bit lost. But, when you change things up, you’ll also start to feel more free, realizing your routine isn’t always the best way to work on your business. Give yourself new tasks. Try giving yourself at least one or more new tasks to complete. It will challenge you to think in a way that you haven’t before and help to unleash your creativity. Plus, it will give you a real sense of accomplishment because it’s something you’re not accustomed to doing. Spend some time in different places. Work ruts can happen anywhere, not just the office or shop. You probably run in the same circles all the time, frequenting the same locations over and over again. So, try something new in order to experience new environments and people. It will only widen your perspective and might even inspire you in a totally unique way than ever before. What other suggestions do you have? Please comment and share your thoughts and experiences! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How Small Business Owners can Prepare for a Recession and Beat Out their Competition during Economic Downturns

April 7, 2023 No Comments

In an economic downturn, small businesses are often hit the hardest. It’s a challenging time for everyone, but for small business owners, it can mean the difference between survival and closure. Preparing for a recession is key to making sure your business stays afloat, and outperforming your competition can give you an edge that keeps you ahead even after the economy has recovered. How Small Businesses can Prepare for a Recession One of the most important things that small business owners can do to prepare for a recession is to build up a strong financial foundation. This means having a healthy cash flow, low debt, and a solid reserve of savings. Having a strong financial foundation will give you the flexibility to weather the storm of a recession and to continue operating your business even if sales decline. Cutting costs is also one of the most important things small business owners can do to prepare for a recession. Review your expenses carefully and look for areas where you can save money without sacrificing quality or service. As a small business owner, the idea of a recession can be scary. Many businesses have not been through a recession. It’s much easier to make money when things are good in the economy than it is when times are tough, but that doesn’t mean a small business can’t survive and even thrive during a recession. —Entrepreneur.com Another important step that small business owners can take to prepare for a recession is to diversify their business. This means offering a variety of products or services, targeting a variety of markets, and having a presence in multiple locations. By diversifying your business, you can reduce your reliance on any one market or customer segment. This will make your business more resilient to the ups and downs of the economy. How Small Businesses can Outperform their Competition during an Economic Downturn Now, it’s not enough to be prepared for tough economic times – you must also be equipped to perform to your best and even beat your competition by making key moves at strategic times. Here are some ways to do just that: Diversify your offerings. Again, one of the best ways to prepare for a recession is to diversify your offerings. If your business relies heavily on one product or service, it’s time to start exploring other areas you could branch out into. This could mean offering new products or services that are more recession-resistant, such as essential items or affordable luxuries. For example, a restaurant might start offering takeout or delivery services in addition to their dine-in options. A clothing store might start selling more affordable items to appeal to customers who are tightening their belts. Focus on customer service. During tough times, customers are more likely to stick with businesses they trust and have had good experiences with. By focusing on customer service, you can build relationships with your customers that will last beyond the recession. Make sure your staff is well-trained and equipped to handle customer inquiries and complaints. Offer personalized recommendations and rewards for loyal customers. Consider implementing a loyalty program to encourage repeat business. Improve your online presence. With more people staying home and shopping online, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. Make sure your website is up-to-date and easy to use, and consider investing in online advertising or social media campaigns to reach new customers. Offering online sales or delivery services can also help you reach customers who might not be able to visit your store in person. Make sure your online ordering and payment systems are easy to use and secure. Stay agile and adaptable. Finally, one of the most important things small business owners can do to outperform their competition during a recession is to stay agile and adaptable. Keep an eye on market trends and be willing to adjust your strategies as needed to stay ahead of the curve. For example, you might adjust your prices or promotions to appeal to customers who are looking for more affordable options. You might also explore new revenue streams, such as selling merchandise or offering online courses or consultations. What other kinds of advice would you give new business owners and entrepreneurs about how to prepare for an economic downturn and even thrive in such conditions? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

Tips for Transforming a Companys Culture