Running a Business - What Kind of Manager Are You?

If you currently run a business or are thinking about running a business of your own, you will need to deal with a number of different individuals. How you react and interact with those people will go a long way in determining the success of your business.

Managers who are in charge of running a business do not all go about the task in the same way. While the goals of two experienced managers may be the same, how they work toward those goals might be quite different.

Typical goals for someone running a business might include increasing the customer base, expanding the product line or improving the efficiency of the company’s day-to-day operations. Those goals may require better and more interaction with current customers and potential future clients.

Building solid relationships with vendors, manufacturers and suppliers can be very helpful in expanding the product line. Probably most important is how a manager relates to his or her employees. A good manager should command the respect of his or her employees and also motivate them to work hard to achieve the goals of the company.

One type of management style is that of a strict disciplinarian. Employees are given assignments and expected to complete those assignments. In return for doing the job they were assigned, they are well-compensated for their efforts. This style is fairly rigid, but works well as long as the employees have a clear idea of what is expected of them and the manager treats everyone equally.

A second type of management style is that of being a friend to the employee. Many managers prefer this style because they believe in the old axiom that a kind word and a friendly smile is better motivation than some threatening language and the crack of a whip.

Most successful managers combine the two styles when running a business. They are not the feared disciplinarians that rule with an iron fist. They are not the employee’s best friend. A good manager will use their communication skills, organizational abilities and individual personality traits to run a successful business.