Working, managing and leading a team- Ryan’s Blog (part 2)
Part 2
One thing I have learnt since running the smoothie bar is how to manage a team. At first I didn’t know how to. I used to raise my voice at everyone but that didn’t really work and they just ignored me. I thought. The problem was I wasn’t engaging with everyone.
I have learnt that you have to find ways of getting through to each individual team member.
• Connect and build a trusting partnership with every member. Even if you don’t get on with certain members, keep differences outside the working environment otherwise your business will just not work and fail.
• Offer staff rewards and find a way of motivating your team members. For example I offer the team a free smoothie or extra Vivos (Vivos are an online rewards system where we can trade in for things such as vouchers). You will be surprised how many employees you can get motivated.
• Create a good working environment. Have music playing from a radio, invest in a couple of CD’s. Ask employees what they want and what will make them happy and therefore they will be motivated to sell.
• If there are team members who are upset with each other, then it is your job to intervene and clear the air between them. If there are employees who are feeling down then there is a broken cable in your link.
• If there are staff that give you a challenge and put obstacles in your way try and overcome them. Keep finding ways to motivate them and earn their trust. You may have to be harsh on them and it might come to a point were you have to fire them but this is knowing that you have tried everything you can.
• Some staff might be your best mates but what you cannot do is treat them differently to how you treat everyone else. You have to treat every single one of your staff the same.
Stay tuned for the final part of Ryan’s blog.(Picture courtesy of Grimsby Telegraph)