We talk all the time about what you need to do in order to ensure your organisation stays on the path to success. What we don’t usually do, however, is focus on the reasons organisations fail.

In my experience there are four main reasons an organisation will fold. While it may seem to you, as a lower or middle level manager, that you are responsible for your department ultimately succeeding (and that your department contributes to the overall success of the organisation) there are some critical components you may not have considered.

The main 4 reasons for organisational failure are:

• System and structural failures – the systems you have in place to get the job done are flawed, at best.
• Financial management failure – the accounting department does not properly track expenses and departments are overspending, thus cutting into the organisation’s profit margin.
• Customer and marketing failure – you have a poor marketing plan and you have no idea who your niche client base really is.
• Failure at the top – upper management isn’t making educated decisions (or members of upper management are simply making very bad decisions despite the resources they have available).

These aren’t all things you can necessarily control but they are all things you can be acutely aware of as you progress throughout your day. Take a look at your organisation as it stands now. Are you set up for failure or success?

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training Courses

Click below for a:
Free email course “Improve your Management Skills”

Today I’d like you to take a step back and think about not only your customers and what they think of you but also about your organisation’s position within the marketplace.

I’m going to ask you three important questions and you really need to answer them as honestly as possible:

1. If your company fell off the face of the planet overnight would its disappearance impact anyone (individual or organisation) and, if so, what difference would your disappearnce make?
2. If your company disappeared, would your customers miss you? Which ones would miss you most and why would they miss you?
3. If your company disappeared, how long would it take for another one to take your place? And would they do a better job?

The answers to these questions should tell you quite a bit about your organisation. If the products and services you provide aren’t memorable are you really making the impact you want on the marketplace? Shouldn’t you be offering stellar customer service rivaled by none coupled with services that no one else can even come close to offering?

If not, you need to step back, think about your customer service skills (and products) and consider what needs to be changed. You are, after all, in business to survive and succeed. Make sure your customers know you want them to succeed as well. Only then will you really matter.

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training

Click below for a:
Free email course “Improve your Management Skills”

It’s no secret that many of today’s major corporations have office, manufacturing plants, and supplies in countries all around the world. The car you drive may have been made in one country and sold to you in another and the same applies to many of the standard household items you use every day.

In order to be an effective manager its important for you to understand the dynamic of the international workplace. A company may call itself “international” but that could mean one of many things. Let’s take a look at the differences between them.

First we have domestic businesses. Domestic businesses are generally located in one country only and obtain all of their resources from that same country. Examples of domestic businesses are banks, mortgage companies, and small retail chains.

International companies are becoming larger in number and represent organisations that have their main offices in one country but at the same time finds its resources or makes a large percentage of its sales in another country (or in several others).This company will earn most of its revenue from its main country or origin but will earn a significant percentage (even if only 10%) from selling in other countries.

Multinational companies, also known as MNCs or multinational corporations, have a much wider global reach. The company’s home offices may be based in one country but the organisation will have several other administrative and manufacturing offices located in several countries around the world. Many of today’s modern car companies have locations in several countries, making it easier for them to make and sell their cars to a global market while making sure they’re tailored to the needs of each demographic location.

Last, but certainly not least, are global businesses. Global businesses tend to operate in several countries but never really claim one as being “home.” Some companies, like energy companies, may find it possible to operate without claiming one country or another as home but in reality it is very difficult to operate in this manner.

So what type of company do you work for? I’d venture to guess you work for one of the first three- most likely one of the first two. Do you think there are advantages or disadvantages to companies attempting to spread their wings internationally?

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Manager Training

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”

So you want to be a manager?

Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, you either are a manager or you want to become one in the future. You may want to manage a small department, run a human resources group, or maybe even own your own company. Today I’m speaking to those of you looking to work your way up the corporate ladder and become not just managers, but successful managers – no matter what kind.

I truly believe that managers are made – they’re not born. Sure, some people have natural skills that make it easier for them to communicate with people and make difficult decisions but they still need to hone those skills in order to become effective.

There are, as we’ve discussed in the past, dozens of different skills a manager needs to have in order to become successful. The question, though, is how you’re going to obtain those skills. There are two main ways:

• You’re gonig to enroll in a formal course (either in college or through your employer) and build a solid foundation. It is more common than not for individuals with college degrees to have an easier time moving up in management than those without, so keep your education in mind at all times.
• Second, you’re going to gain on-the job experience. What you learn in school will prove worthless if you never have the opportunity to practice. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a manager in order to gain managerial experience. You’ll gain that experience by taking on special projects, managing your own work flow, and learning from your peers and superiors.

As you can tell, it’s ultimately going to be your responsibility to seek out the additional education and training you need to become a successful manager. On the other hand, those already in upper and middle management positions are usually watching for employees who are motivated enough to do so and, in response, will usually help them find their way onto the management track.

Will you be one of those people?

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Course

Click below for a:
Free email course “Improve your Management Skills”

I haven’t challenged you with an activity in quite a while so I thought I might do so today.

Every once in a while we are faced with a decision that seems more difficult than it needs to be. In these situations the key to coming up with the best response is to carefully consider all of the facts and then, using your best judgement and sense of personal ethics, make the decision you think is best for the company in the long run.

Here’s your decision for the day:

As the manager of a small restaurant you suddenly find you need to cut costs by eliminating a part-time employee. Your two choices are an elderly woman who works part-time to help raise her daughter’s children or a college student who is nearing his graduation date and needs to work to pay off his living costs (not to mention tuition) while he’s in school. Both are wonderful people but they are the only part-time people to choose from.

Who will you choose to let go? There’s really  no right or wrong answer but you should be confident in your assessments and have a real reason for picking one or the other. Let me know in the comments who you chose!

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Courses

Click below for a:
Free email course “Improve your Management Skills”