| Treat each and every staff member with respect. | | | | difference to your staffs' state of mind. They are |
| The words "thank you" can make a world of | | | | working quite hard on your behalf; and displaying |
| difference to your staffs' state of mind. They are | | | | appreciation for their efforts is always welcomed. |
| working quite hard on your behalf; and displaying | | | | - Offer compensation for any overtime you may |
| appreciation for their efforts is always welcomed. | | | | require. This will signal to the staff members you value |
| Is the working climate of your office in unproductive | | | | their time. |
| disarray? Have your employees become lax in their | | | | - If you encounter a problem with a staff member; |
| duties; display unwanted attitudes; employ | | | | take the conversation inside your office. Humiliating a |
| unacceptable practices? Is your business affected by | | | | staff member in front of others will yield you nothing |
| miscommunication and apathy? Here's how to restore | | | | but future problems. |
| productive output in your workplace. | | | | - Keep your administrative assistant informed as to |
| The key to any successful business rests in the hands | | | | your whereabouts; it just takes a second, and can |
| of the manager. While you may hold your personnel in | | | | save you and your assistant from embarrassment |
| high regard, you may not be utilizing them to their full | | | | later on. |
| potential. Meet with each member of your staff to | | | | - Keep the lines of communication open with your |
| determine what their area of expertise is, and assign | | | | staff. An open door policy is most beneficial to all |
| the duties accordingly. Once this is accomplished, | | | | concerned. |
| prepare a list of duties and responsibilities for each | | | | - Control office politics by dealing with it head on. If |
| staff member. | | | | there is a conflict among office staff; meet with them |
| In addition: | | | | separately and then together. Discuss the problems |
| - Designate a member of your staff to handle all | | | | and try to resolve it immediately. Remember, there are |
| peripheral items, such as: the repair of office copiers, | | | | always two sides to every story. |
| computers, telephones and fax machines. | | | | - Utilize the services of a decorator to make your |
| - Assign a staff member to handle all of your office | | | | office more appealing to your staff. Buy ergonomic |
| supply orders. | | | | chairs; V-shaped desks; horizontal file cabinets; paint |
| - Delineate a time schedule for your employees, utilizing | | | | the office in soft colors; have plenty of lighting; and set |
| staggered hours if necessary. | | | | out comfortable chairs for your guests. |
| - Appoint an administrative assistant who will work | | | | It's important to note that an administrator sets the |
| exclusively for you. He or she would be in charge of | | | | tone and atmosphere for the office. If a manager is |
| your appointments, telephone calls, incoming and | | | | consistently late; or does not follow-up on calls or |
| outgoing mail, conferences, typing, filing, and any other | | | | paperwork; the staff will become lackadaisical in their |
| requirements needed. | | | | performance as well. So too, if the manager is critical, |
| - If you have a large office staff, you may need an | | | | uncaring and demanding; conflicts will certainly arise |
| Office Manager who could oversee the staff, and | | | | affecting not only the office in general, but the business |
| report directly to you. | | | | in particular. |
| - Meet with your staff on a monthly basis to discuss | | | | Finally, treat each and every staff member with |
| any problems. Allow them to offer suggestions to | | | | respect. There is nothing more dehumanizing to an |
| improve the productivity of the office. While you are | | | | office worker than having an administrator look upon |
| busy focusing on your business, your staff is at the | | | | them as mere slaves. If you conduct your business |
| front line, keenly aware of what improvements need | | | | with integrity and honesty, your staff will do their |
| to be made to better enhance office procedures and | | | | utmost to increase your bottom line, and you will gain |
| functions. | | | | their respect and willingness to go the extra mile in |
| - The words "thank you" can make a world of | | | | return. |