when I run my own business #2
It's so easy to get out of touch with the day-to-day workings of your company once you get past a certain level. Suddenly your entire day is meetings, emails, and reports (those you have to write and those you have to read).
I don't want to let that happen to me. As I've said before, it's the middle-tier (and even lower) people who have their hands in the muck and who have enough exposure and knowledge about the company to really come up with great ideas. They can help the business. And if you involve them in the decision-making process, they may just feel appreciated enough to stick around and help your company grow. Because it's their company too.
So, when I run my own business, once a month will be Run the Company For a Day.
Any employee who wants to — and I do mean any employee — can run the company for a day. Simple rules, of course. No hiring, no firing, no outlandish purchases. But answer phone calls, attend meetings, have their opinion not only heard but acted upon, be the person people look to for decisions and opinions, spend some time thinking about the future of the company.
What will I (as President of this Angie McKaig Omnimedia Company) be doing that day?
The other person's job. Right in there. Whatever is it that they do, I'll be doing it. I may not know how. People will have to train me and show me. I might foul up. So might that person sitting in my chair for a day. But that's OK. We're both learning, and will benefit from the knowledge.
I'll get to see the company from their perspective. I'll get to see how someone else thinks the company should be run. I'll get ideas for what might be lacking in the company - be it business process or morale.
And my staff will hopefully get the message that I trust them, their opinions are valued, that no job is unimportant in the company, and that they can make a difference. Not just on RC Day, but every day.
I know how important an idea this is. I never want to forget it.
2002.09.12 12:55 PM