Your Staff As Partners

By Aleta Pippin
Posted Sunday, August 29, 2004

You've just returned from the extremely informative workshop full of new ideas and bursting at the seams to implement them. Assembling your team, for the first time in six months, you enthusiastically let them in on the big news - you're going to implement new services, revise old ones, and change current policy. They look at you incredulously, jaws dropping. Verbal responses are derisive, as if to say, "You've lost your mind."

P"What happened?" you wonder as you return to your office. You were certain your excitement would radiate to your team. "Oh what the heck," you're thinking, "I'm going to make these changes with or without them. Besides, they'll get used to it."

PTruth - you need your teams' help and enthusiasm. They're the direct contact with your clients. If they're unhappy with the changes, their frustration negatively impacts your clients, then they, too, become unhappy. Let's face it - unhappy people impact those around them more quickly than joyful people.

PWhat's the true value of your team? Your business! Consider - it takes over nine months to bring a new employee up to speed. Link that with time lost having to cull through resumes to hire someone and/or pay headhunter fees. Add lost production by another staff person involved in training the new employee. Then add lost revenue resulting from an inexperienced staff person. Lost revenue and additional expenses have now skyrocketed.

PWhat to do? You still have great ideas for new services and you want to enlist your team's help for implementation. Begin by laying the groundwork. Does your team have monthly brainstorming sessions? If not, begin. This is a great opportunity for them to share success stories, brainstorm with their peers, and discuss how they resolve client issues.

PSet an intention that these meetings are going to be upbeat, informative, and efficient. The benefit to your business will be phenomenal. Since your team is the main contact with your clients, their thoughts about services and areas needing improvement are invaluable. A trust level will develop between you and your staff. As you're open and receptive to their ideas, they become open to yours. Additionally, they'll have some exciting ideas you haven't considered.

PBy involving staff in your vision, you give them ownership. Now they're vested in implementing the changes and making them successful. They're motivated and enthusiastic because they helped in the creation of new services. Job satisfaction soars because they feel "valued" and "heard". Their enthusiasm spills over to your clients, creating customer satisfaction and loyalty. These are the ingredients that give your business the competitive edge.

About the Author
P(c)'99 by Aleta Pippin, founder Authentic Entrepreneuring, coaching for individuals and small business owners who want to unleash your inner power to create true success from the inside out. Take your life and your business to the next level. Visit (http://www.aentrepreneur.com) for more information and to sign up for your free newsletter.