Managers in small businesses have enormous responsibilities. They must wear many different hats--and take on more duties than a department manager in a large company who has assistant managers and supervisors to share in the responsibilities. For this reason, a small business manager must have superior organizational skills for the department to run smoothly and with a productive and satisfied workforce.
Time Management
Time management helps managers establish department goals and determine objectives to reach those goals on deadline. Staffing and workforce planning, delegating assignments and setting priorities are activities that create organization skills. Time management is also important in conducting performance appraisals. Some managers wait until the last possible moment to evaluate the employee performance for the past 12 months. This results in a haphazard way of appraising an employee contributions and may result in not recognizing all of the employee contributions to the department and the company. Achieving department goals requires the manager ability to execute tasks and motivate his staff to accomplish their respective tasks. Organization skills in time management will help determine to whom certain tasks will be assigned. Subsequent to finishing the tasks required for meeting goals, the manager must ensure the goal has been achieved efficiently and to business standards.
Professional Development
The manager needs organization skills in the area of professional development for his staff and himself. Observing his employees & amp;#039; duties and capabilities will help create professional development plans. However, organizational skills are needed to maintain knowledge of the employee skills and responsibilities. In addition, the manager himself must engage in self-evaluation and communication with his superior to plan his professional development. Organizing a schedule of interacting with employees on a regular basis and providing feedback to help their development is a critical part of managing a workforce. A manager cannot get so caught up in other business details as to forget this.
Communication With Executive Leadership
There needs to be regular communication between the department manager and executive leadership. The manager should communicate issues such as departmental productivity, goals, objectives, workforce issues and any other challenges she encounters as manager. Keeping executive leadership informed is good business practice that enables the owner of the business or executive team to make wise decisions on behalf of the company. In addition, the manager must spend time learning the business if she wants to see career progression with the company. During regular contact with business leaders, she demonstrates her interpersonal skills and suitability for promotion within the company. Communication supported by organizational skills are required to convey to executive leadership your departments status and contributions to the business overall.