It is amazing to me that so many small businesses still look at Leadership Development from a perspective as "optional" versus a necessity. No wonder 70% of small businesses fail within 7 years of opening. While other factors such as finances, marketing, etc, play a part, I believe the fact that there is no CULTURE of leadership development in the company plays a major role. Plus, keep this in mind: By 2020, research shows that 50% of the workforce will be Millennials. Guess what? They do not hope for development to be a part of their relationship with the company they work for....they EXPECT it as a given. If not, they will move on. This article link proposes some very good considerations regarding leadership development and company culture.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246682 

This is a great article from Flipboard regarding considerations should you want to lead in the future:

https://flipboard.com/topic/leadership/the-future-of-leadership-in-2016/a-FGz6pHUpTpSp1xtd1NgQ-A%3Aa%3A3519369-a01c6d6b7c%2Fducttapemarketing.com

Let me know you thoughts!!

As the adage goes, "Pay Me Now Or Pay Me Later". Many times, when you "Pay Later", it is typically reactive and under stress. Most non-profit companies have held off when it comes to leadership development. When it comes to Leadership Development in Non Profits, the reality today is:

·        It is estimated that 75% 0f Non Profit Executive Directors/Leaders will be retiring or leaving the industry in the next 5 years. That's the C-Level dilemma.

·        It is estimated that the front line leaders of a non-profit company/agency manage 80% of the employees...yet most receive little or no leadership development to manage the front line or develop to be your next generation of leaders. That's the front line dilemma.

·        Studies continually show the #1 Reason why someone leaves their place of employment is "conflict with their immediate supervisor". That is the company wide leadership dilemma. Yet, that has never challenged many non profit leaders to implement leadership development programs.

Problem 1: Non Profits need to realize that the leadership development needs and gaps will be intensifying over the next 5 years. It is a dilemma that any Board or CEO can no longer ignore.

Problem 2: Lack of Adequate Budgeting or Funding - for training or development staff. Salary and benefits are a challenge and care always takes precedence.

Solution: Once CEOs and their Boards accept the realities above, they need to seek out leadership development (not training) companies that you can afford and can develop their frontline, middle and C-level leaders effectively and efficiently.

Or, if you are a small to medium sized non-profit organization, go to:

After a long battle between who makes a better entrepreneurial leader, one who is more introverted versus one who is more extroverted, along comes probably the best answer, the Ambivert.

Check out this latest article from Entrepreneur magazine and let me know your thoughts:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242502

As it is "Location, Location, Location" for Real Estate success, I believe effective leadership stems from "Communication, Communication, Communication". In fact, I stress with my clients that it is my belief that 95% of issues or conflict in the workplace stems from some sort of communication breakdown (Lack of communication, miscommunication, no clear communication channels, etc.). No, I do not have a study or trend to back this % up, but I say this more to encourage frontline supervisors, managers and leaders to evaluate the impact of communication, or lack thereof, and the resultant conflict in the worlplace. 

What are your thoughts?

Please read this article and think about if your small or medium sized company has a strategy of initial AND continual leadership development of frontline managers and supervisors. Frontline leadership development should not be an "optional luxury" but a "necessity" for the growth and sruvival of the company into the future.

 

 

 

 

This article provides some good reasons to consider:

 

 

Posted by Robert Half Management Resources Find me on: Facebook LinkedInTwitter Google+ on Feb 3, 2014 5:05:00 PM

 

The term “small business” can conjure up images of skilled multitaskers and bosses whose philosophy could be summed up as: “We’re already doing everything ourselves; why use a consultant?” However, hiring a small business consultant can bring many benefits. You can save time and money, but perhaps even more valuable, when you hire a small business consultant, you can gain the expertise you need – when you need it – to fix existing problems, head off potential dangers and make sure your business is best positioned for growth.

 

1. Save Time and Money
Are you still doing the taxes for your business? That’s a common financial issue for which small businesses retain consultants. It doesn’t always make sense for small business owners or managers to spend their valuable time on something so complex and outside their area of expertise.more But what about other financial issues? It might take you hours to research the answer to a financial question for yourself. Hiring project professionals who can support your business in areas in which you are less knowledgeable conserves cash and time.

 

2. Gain Expertise When Needed
Even if you have time to work on them, problems with a higher-risk profile, in particular, may require professional assistance. Some financial mistakes can be quite hazardous to your bottom line.You can hire small business consultants who could help you assess and evaluate your business processes, your operations management, your supply chain logistics, your exposure to risk and more. Because you may not need such high-level assistance on a daily basis, bringing in a consultant can be a great way to get the expertise when you need it.

 

3. Handle Uneven Workloads
Your company is great at what you do. You repeatedly turn out polished products and services that net you repeat business. You know the nuances of your chosen area; people never mistake you for a newbie. But when you need to ramp up suddenly, you run the risk of under-delivering. Hiring seasoned small business consultants to help navigate the ebb and flow of supply and demand can help cement your company’s reputation as thoroughly professional.

 

4. Grow for the Future
Help with taxes and financial reporting is critical, but such work is focused on the past and present. What about your business’ future? Where will your business’ growth come from? An interim CFO or consultant can not only help you figure out the answer but also help you get pointed in the right direction.Robert Half’s research report Benchmarking the Finance Function can help you understand and evaluate whether your business has sufficient resources – and the right kind of resources – to meet your goals.

I was having lunch recently with a potential client when the topic came up of business credo that "you need to spend money to make money". While it is an easier discussion for large companies, for precious smaller margins in small to medium sized businesses, it is a much harder question. But while many small businesses respond by NOT spending any money, I believe this is a wrong decision as I believe the credo is not just  for large companies but small and medium ones also. 

 

So why would a small business need or want to spend money on a consultant. My answer to the potential client was the same as the attached link which I agree with completely.

 

 

Let’s start by taking a closer look at some of the specific reasons why you would want to hire someone from outside your firm to come in and help your small business:

Hiring business consultants makes sense for smaller firms who are looking to compete and grow their market share.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I developed my Frontline Leadership Development Program over 14 years ago to address the reality that most small to medium sized non profits and businesses (including the ones I worked for) had no formal supervisory or leadership development program. Only supports might be allowing the managers to go to a one day free training or to a two day training for $300....per person. Most small businesses want strong leaders but cannot afford to or do not invest in their manager's growth. Many small business leaders want their frontline managers or leaders to be effective but have never empowered them with the the tools to be effective.  

 

But can small businesses "afford" not to invest in their frontline managers and leaders? I say No. Check out this article and let me know what you think?

 

Christopher