With the roll-backs of local, state, and federal COVID-19 restrictions, businesses are attempting to return to a state of normalcy. But, reinstating pre-pandemic conditions isn’t as simple as they ought to be, and too many entrepreneurs are experiencing such a cruel reality. So, some are experimenting with a hybrid solution: a combination of work-from-home or WFH and on-site business operation. Sure, it certainly sounds like a logical solution. But, every solution breeds new problems. Meaning, there are distinct disadvantages to adopting a WFH and on-site business model. Biggest Hybrid Workplace Advantages Obviously, corporations around the world wouldn’t put a hybrid model in-place unless it had substantial benefits. And, there are some compelling reasons, like the potential of increased productivity via a customizable schedule. After all, happy employees are more productive and that’s certainly good for the bottom line. Then, there’s the morale boost which comes from being able to choose from WFH and on-site. Employees cherish the freedom and that too, helps to boost both productivity and morale. What many companies are converging on is a mixture of remote working and traditional office working, known as the hybrid workplace. A hybrid workplace exists when a business allows their employees to work either remotely or from the office. In a typical hybrid workplace, employees have the choice of working in a central office, working from home, or splitting their time between the two. —WeWork Ideas Blog Additionally, it can help to reduce operating costs, which decrease with the lessened need of supporting individuals constantly on-site. Moreover, it allows employees to avoid toxic situations. For instance, two or more employees who don’t get along very well in-person can find relief by not having to be in close proximity. 4 Issues with a WFH and On-Site Hybrid Business Operation While a hybrid operation might sound like a perfect answer, that just isn’t the case. Unfortunately, there are big potential problems with adopting a hybrid model, as the following issues might present: Managing a hybrid team is very difficult. Anyone with experience in managing a team is familiar with the vast time and effort that goes into making it work. Now, add-in a bunch of other variables that weren’t present before and it’s easy to imagine just how more difficult or nightmarish managing people in totally different physical locations is in reality. Some WFH employees will take advantage. Put this problem in the all-too-obvious column: some employees will exploit the new policies to their own personal advantage, even if it results in harming others and/or the company. While it’s not something you might relish thinking about, it is most definitely a possibility or perhaps, even a probability. A hybrid scenario can easily foster resentment. Another potential problem is along the same lines as the one above — that one or more employees will gain a sense of others’ nefarious behaviors regarding the hybrid operation. That could very well cause resentment to rear its ugly head. Not everyone will contribute the same amount. Expounding on the last two possible issues, is the real possibility one or more employees will shuffle responsibilities off their own shoulders and onto their coworkers through a form of sleight of hand. What other suggestions do you have to deal with potential work-from-home issues? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. Perhaps others can benefit from your unique perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Biggest Pros and Cons of Employee Monitoring Systems Small Business Owners Should Know About Small business owners are constantly looking for ways to improve productivity, streamline operations, and ensure a safe working environment for their employees. One solution that has gained popularity in recent years is the use of employee monitoring systems. Employee monitoring tools can provide valuable insights into team member performance and help companies to better manage their workforce. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. So, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages of such technology. Below, we’ll explore the biggest pros and cons of employee monitoring systems for small business owners. Pros of Employee Monitoring Systems Increased productivity. One of the most significant advantages of employee monitoring systems is their ability to improve productivity. By tracking employee activity and identifying inefficiencies, small business owners can make data-driven decisions to optimize workflows and increase overall productivity. Enchanced security. Employee monitoring systems can also help to protect sensitive company information and prevent unauthorized access to critical systems. By tracking employee activity, small business owners can quickly identify and address potential security threats.t Improved employee accountability. Employee monitoring systems can also help to improve employee accountability by providing a clear record of their activities. This can help to reduce the likelihood of time theft and ensure that employees are working efficiently during their scheduled hours. Better time management. By tracking employee activity, small business owners can better understand how their employees are spending their time. This can help to identify areas where employees may be struggling and provide opportunities for additional training or support. Reduced costs. Employee monitoring systems can also help small businesses reduce costs by identifying inefficiencies and streamlining workflows. This can help to reduce the need for overtime and minimize the risk of costly mistakes. Cons of Employee Monitoring Systems Privacy concerns. One of the biggest concerns with employee monitoring systems is their potential to invade employee privacy. Small business owners must be careful to balance their need for information with their employees’ right to privacy. Employee morale. Employee monitoring systems can also have a negative impact on employee morale. If employees feel that they are being constantly monitored, it can lead to feelings of distrust and resentment. Legal considerations. Small business owners must also be aware of the legal implications of employee monitoring. Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be specific laws and regulations that govern the use of these systems. Technical issues. Employee monitoring systems can also be subject to technical issues, such as software glitches and data breaches. Small business owners must ensure that their systems are secure and that their data is protected. Summing It All Up Employee monitoring systems can provide small business owners with valuable insights into their workforce and help to improve productivity, security, and accountability. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider, including privacy concerns, employee morale, legal considerations, and technical issues. Ultimately, small business owners must carefully weigh the pros and cons of employee monitoring systems and make an informed decision based on their specific needs and circumstances. 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 602-435-5474, or, if you prefer, send us an email. You can also visit us at Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

Replacing a manager in any size business presents a number of challenges. It’s not just finding the person with the right skill set, or the most experience, or even the best aptitude for the position, but all of these and more. Unfortunately, too many administrators and entrepreneurs only look at these types of qualities. They fail to factor in other intangibles that would benefit their team members the most. Read on to learn about the three most important qualities of a replacement manager. Why Past Job Performance is No Guarantee of Future Success You’ve no doubt heard or experienced two different cliches: that past performance of an investment is no guarantee of its future result, and the Peter Principle (the phenomenon of people rising to their highest level of incompetence). Unfortunately, this is where many administrators and business owners go wrong. They mistakenly believe that an individual’s past performance is indicative of future results. But, this just isn’t true. Bad managers cost businesses billions of dollars each year, and having too many of them can bring down a company. The only defense against this massive problem is a good offense, because when companies get these decisions wrong, nothing fixes it. Businesses that get it right, however, and hire managers based on talent will thrive and gain a significant competitive advantage. —Harvard Business Review Sure, it’s absolutely necessary to look at a candidate’s previous experience and performance. It’s also just as necessary to rely at least somewhat on their proven skill set and untapped potential. However, this isn’t likely to give you a good overall evaluation of how he or she will fit into his or her new role. 3 Important Replacement Manager Traits One of the most difficult aspects of replacing a manager in any type of business is how he or she will be received by the team members he or she will lead. So, ask yourself if potential candidates have the following qualities: Empathetic ears. There are many different kinds of managers out there, and some of them are a better fit for a promotion or lateral move than others. Depending on their new responsibilities, you most definitely want them to be ambitious and take ownership of their responsibilities. Equally so, it’s critical to have a manager who truly listens to their team members because this will be the perception employees have of the company overall. Decision confidence. Obviously, if someone has all the experience and potential to move up or across, he or she should likewise possess a strong self confidence. In other words, a manager who doesn’t always have to rely on higher ups to make decisions, particularly ones that are relatively small. After all, you don’t want to put someone in a management role who just can’t make up their mind and constantly comes to you for those very reasons. Golden rule follower. If there’s one thing that rank-and-file team members despise the most, it is managers who cannot follow their own rules. Hypocrisy, double standards, and negative traits such as these will quickly erode away employee morale and productivity. Nobody performs well under such types of management, because it is so counterproductive by its nature. What other suggestions do you have for replacing a manager as a business owner? Please take a moment to 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.