Business Education

Business Leaders This Responsibility Rule Exemption Doesn’t Apply to You

“You’re not responsible for the irresponsibility of others.” Or, “You can only control you, not other people.” Both are great pieces of advice to live by. Except, when you’re in a position of leadership. When you’re in charge, you are responsible for the actions of others. It’s a stark contrast to the peer-to-peer world. Because, your employees aren’t your peers. Sure, they’re good people. But, they aren’t your equal. At least, in terms of business structure. You are the authority. So, when a team member is irresponsible, you’re the one the customer will blame. It’s not fair, but it’s reality.

Why Employees Act Irresponsibly

Everyone does something irresponsible at some point. But, there are people who just can’t seem to get it together long-term. However, these are the exceptions, rather than the rule, a tiny percentage by comparison. You might have even been one of them, but eventually “grew” out of that phase.

In almost every workplace, there is bound to be someone who isn’t pulling their own weight. When you’re an ambitious, hard-working [business owner] who is committed to growing your career and the company, it’s frustrating to work with someone who seems interested in only doing the bare minimum.
—Fast Company

People act irresponsibly because they just don’t take their jobs seriously. To them, it’s just a paycheck — a paycheck they can get almost anywhere. Of course, this is very short sighted but it speaks to their mindset and overall attitude. When that personality shows up in your business, you’ll have to deal with it. There is no passing it off.

How to Deal with an Irresponsible Employee

If you’re in this unenviable position, you’ll need to deal with the situation directly. While it’s tempting to pass this off to a subordinate who is above the person in question, letting him or her know their behavior is known at the top is very powerful. (This alone could be enough to correct him or her.) But, it’s best to be clear. Here’s how to deal with an irresponsible employee:

Put the onus on him or her. Ask him or her how they can improve. Let them be a part of the solution right from the beginning. If they are unwilling or standoffish, that’s a big red flag that probably signals his or her time at the company is coming to an end.
Persuade but don’t preach. You can (and should) remind him or her of the company’s policies and procedures. But explain why, instead of just hitting him or her with a litany of do’s and don’ts. Enter into a discussion rather than just making proclamations.
Always lead by example. This is something you should already be doing routinely. Showing leadership not only helps others to reach their goals, it inspires others to succeed in more ways than one. Otherwise, you’re not really leading the company, you’re just a figurehead and people will instinctively understand that fact.
Follow-up regularly. Obviously, you’ll need to follow-up with him or her. But, think twice about doing so on a set schedule. The element of surprise will motivate him or her to do the right thing. If they don’t, it means you’re dealing with someone who just doesn’t care and isn’t a true asset to the business.

What other suggestions do you have for dealing with an irresponsible employee? Please go ahead and share your thoughts and experiences by commenting!

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

Like this article?

5 Words Smart Entrepreneurs Always Avoid

May 16, 2017 No Comments

We all have our quirks when it comes to language and nowhere is it more prominent than email. Because there is no body language, gesticulations, facial expressions, and attitude, we are left to find context, solely from the words we read. When you think about that for a moment, it’s a wonder that any business gets done from day-to-day. Ironically, just two years ago, a study conducted in the United Kingdom, surveying 2,500 office employees, revealed that an astounding 94 percent preferred email over telephones. It’s clear that email is our number one means of communication, and, because it’s become so commonplace, we don’t regard it in the same way as we do face-to-face encounters. Our demeanor, tone, and delivery differs greatly from email to spoken word. Since email is so important to business, you would think that it’s used in the utmost professional manner, but, it’s not. 5 Words Smart Entrepreneurs Always Avoid The fact is, we just don’t pay attention to what we’re writing most of the time. To many business professionals, it’s an informal method of communication, and, it’s closest cousin, texting, is even more relaxed (read: lazy). However, that’s simply not the case. Email is important, so much so, it can make all the difference. The words you type or tap are going to be read by someone else. That person or persons will not only read what’s in the message body, but read into the message itself. If you want to become more successful as an entrepreneur or in your career, you can start by making a habit of talking and thinking more like the people you know or read about who are already successful. —Entrepreneur Let that stir a moment and go back to the introduction. Since there’s no interpersonal communication, every word matters. This is why smart entrepreneurs are conscience about what they write, how it’s phrased, and what message is delivered. If you aren’t practicing the same discipline, you might be sending more than an email, you might be sending a message that you lack confidence, are somewhat lazy, or, unsophisticated. Here are the top five words you ought to avoid: Might. The word “might,” is generally used in different ways, but often, it’s meant to point out a possibility. When you use the word “might,” you are essentially communicating that you’re unsure. That’s okay in casual, social situations, but dangerous in business communication. Likely. When you use the word “likely,” you are making a very unsure prediction. What you’re really doing is opening wide and wild interpretation. Here again, use of this word in social and casual conversation is fine, but, when you’re using it in the business world, you’re telling the recipient that’s it’s unlikely you are in-the-know. Alot. First of all, this is not how the phrase is spelled–it’s two separate words, “a lot.” Because it’s run together so often, it’s become commonplace for people to write it incorrectly. It’s the reason the ampersand was dropped as the last letter of the alphabet. It used to be recited, ending with “x, y, z, and ‘and per se,’” which evolved into “ampersand.” If you write, “alot,” you’re taking a risk that the recipient won’t notice you don’t know this. Won’t. This is one of the best ways to ensure a negative vibe, along with a lot of frustration. While you’re being emphatic, you’re also demonstrating just how stubborn, or, unwilling you are in your ways of doing things. Usually. This is the opposite of the pithy directive delivered so often by the Joe Friday character from Dragnet. It tells the recipient that you don’t have all the facts, nor do you care. Here’s a bonus: “irregardless.” Though there are some who say that it’s fine to use, it’s just unnecessary. Instead, use “regardless.” And remember that communication is made up of words, tone and non-verbal communication. Based on multiple studies, non-verbal carries the largest percentage of influence in communication while words carry the least amount of influence. So, picking up the phone to use your words and tone is more effective than just text or e-mail. When it is possibly or efficient, use Skype or Google Video or an actual face to face conversation to communicate more effectively. Business gets done through trusted relationships, and these are built on solid communication which ultimately requires words, tone and non-verbal. Now go build your business with good communication. Who do you need to improve your communication with this month to grow your relationship, your business or career? Want to find out about what a business coach can do for you? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

I Reopened My Business, but Now I’m Short-Staffed, What Do I Do?

February 9, 2021 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns affected different businesses in different ways. Some industries, like financial services, online retail, and even real estate, experienced growth. However, other industries suffered big losses, particularly hospitality, restaurants, and brick and mortar retailers; even some office environments experienced significant setbacks. Now, with plans to reopen and resume business as normal underway, some companies are faced with a labor shortage. Obviously, it’s difficult to service customers without the proper employee support. So, let’s look at some ways to shore up your business staff in short order. Employees are the Single-Most Valuable Business Asset Regardless of what industry your company serves, you’ve probably learned over the years — or have least heard — that employees are true assets to any business. Companies who do not treat their employees as assets suffer from high rates of turnover, low quality work, and often poor morale. Before you start evaluating candidates, ask yourself what traits you want to have in those employees to ensure you’re aligning your new hires with your business objectives. Some common traits that I’ve seen among hiring for eCommerce and physical retailers include flexibility, high energy, and fast learner —Business 2 Community Conversely, businesses that treat their employees as valued assets enjoy quality production, higher rates of production, a strong camaraderie and positive morale, and very low turnover. The reason isn’t a mystery — treat employees well and they will in turn do their best. Of course, that begs the question of how to bring on several people in a short amount of time that will make a good fit? How to Find Quality Employees on Short Notice In order to staff a business quickly, you need to first determine which roles to prioritize. And, know exactly what type of personalities best fit said roles. Here are three attitudes you must embrace to find the right staff in a pinch: Be patient. You probably already have existing employees taking on expansive responsibilities out of necessity. You should continue that practice but with a goal to reach. It’s better to rely on known qualities and compensate them well than to rush through the hiring process simply to fill positions. Start with previous employees to fill empty roles and give them more responsibilities for the short-term. Be flexible. Of course, you should streamline your hiring and training processes. But along with these changes, it’s also smart to think strategically. In other words, if a new hire isn’t working out in a particular role, move him or her into a different position instead of letting them go and having to go through the process all over again. Be confident. Sure, this might be a time of uncertainty. It’s unnerving, upsetting, and can be difficult to cope with. But, if you remain calm and show confidence, that will permeate through the company and help your employees greatly. What other attributes would you suggest business owners take on in order to get through a period of short staff? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting so others can benefit from your unique perspective. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How to Say No When a Demanding Customer Expects a Submissive Yes

July 24, 2024 No Comments

How to Say “No” When a Demanding Customer Expects a Submissive “Yes” Customers are the lifeblood of any business, but sometimes, their demands can push boundaries and test your patience. When faced with a customer who expects a submissive “yes” to every request, regardless of reason, knowing how to politely yet firmly decline becomes crucial. Fortunately, there are proven tools and strategies you can use to navigate these situations with confidence. With these, you’ll be able to say “no” effectively, while maintaining a positive customer relationship, and protecting your business from unreasonable expectations. So, let’s get into how to handle demanding customers with grace and professionalism. Most Effective Ways to Politely and Professionally Turn Down Unreasonable Customer Requests When dealing with a demanding customer who expects a submissive “yes,” it can be challenging to assert your boundaries and maintain a professional relationship. Below, we’ll explore effective strategies for saying “no” in a way that is respectful yet firm, allowing you to protect your business interests and maintain your integrity. Here’s a detailed explanation of how to handle such sticky and unpleasant situations: Start by expressing sincere gratitude. Begin by thanking the customer for purchasing your services. This sets a positive tone for the conversation. For instance, you can say, “Thank you for considering us for additional services. We appreciate your confidence in our business.” Explain your services. Clarify what services your business provides and how they are priced. This helps set clear expectations. Here’s a good example: “Our services include X, Y, and Z, which are priced at $A, $B, and $C respectively. We offer these services to ensure quality and maintain the value of our work.” Emphasize your value. Highlight the value of your services and the expertise that goes into them. This can help customers understand why extra work is not offered for free. Explain your position this way, “Our team is highly skilled and experienced, and we take pride in delivering high-quality work. This level of service comes at a cost, which is reflected in our pricing.” Offer alternatives. If possible, suggest alternative solutions that are within the scope of your services. This shows that you are willing to help the customer within your business model. For example: “While we cannot provide the extra service you requested for free, we can offer you a similar service that is within our standard offerings. Would you like to consider that option?” Be firm but polite. If the customer insists on receiving extra work for free, remain firm in your decision. Politely reiterate that your business model does not allow for such concessions. Politely respond, “I understand your request, but unfortunately, we cannot provide the extra service you’re asking for without a corresponding charge. Our pricing structure is designed to ensure fairness to all our customers and the sustainability of our business.” Reiterate your commitment. Close the conversation by reaffirming your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction within the parameters of your business model. You can explain, “We value your business and are committed to providing the best service possible within our standard offerings. We hope you understand our position and look forward to serving you in the future.” Finally, follow up. After declining the request, consider following up with the customer to ensure they are satisfied with the resolution. This shows that you care about their experience even when you cannot fulfill their specific request. Consider explaining, “Thank you for understanding our position. We hope you are satisfied with our services. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns.” Want to Accomplish More? Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while you spend more time with your family doing all the things you started your business to do? We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test. You can call us for your free appointment at (602) 541-1760, or, if you prefer,