Creating Alignment: Do you have the resources?
In our 4th instalment looking at Creating Alignment within a business we are looking at the next step – resources. First of all you have set your common purpose, then you have looked at whether you have the right people in your business to be able to achieve that purpose.
Next you need to look at your resources; what do you actually need in your business to get the job done? Do you have the right resources in place for your people so that they are able to do what you are asking them to do?
What do I mean by resources?
There are many, but here are a few obvious ones that we often don’t get right.
Time: Sometimes this means you need to give your time, you need to work with your people. You need to stop ticking off the “to do” list and be out there with your people understanding their challenges, what support they need and coaching them to succeed. Also, time may mean you need to prioritise more effectively so you do a few things really well, rather than achieve “ok” in many areas.
Money: you need to make sure the funds are available in the budget or the people are available to do the job at hand. Or that your team have all the tools they need to do their job because otherwise you’re asking them to do something that’s impossible and they’ll never achieve it. “But we don’t have the money” I hear you cry; in that case, re- assess your goals. Now is the time to adapt, and focus on the things that will really make the difference.
Technology: Have your people got the right technology to do their job – software, broadband speed, etc? Can they work when they need to work – are you providing flexibility? Do you make it easy for them to do their job?
Have you given them what they need and, more to the point, have you taken away what they don’t need? How many reports land in their inbox filling it so they get 150 emails a day, when actually they need 10?
How often do you stop flooding your people with information and meetings, and give them time to do their jobs?
A recent survey for entrepreneur.com found that employees only spend 45% of their time actually doing their job because of all the other barriers that were put in their way on a daily basis; such as pointless meetings, poor processes, too many emails etc.
So think about how you enable your team to do their job and the resources you actually give them. Are you expecting miracles?
Don’t have them in a meeting for 4 hours a day and then expect them to do their job which will take them to another 8 hours: work smarter, not longer!
Think about how your team use their time and make sure they use it wisely!
Next time, engagement.
Survey of 2000 office workers by At Task and Harris Interactive 2014.