Management & Leadership Trends 2009

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP TRENDS FOR 2009 By Eric Swenson BRUIN PROFESSIONALS – March 4, 2009 BY ERIC SWENSON

© 2008 RSJ/Swenson

Are There Challenges in 2009?

Are You Kidding Me?

The Most Challenging Year For Businesses In Our Lifetime.

A world full of unknowns.

The businesses that succeed will be those who can quickly adapt to change; embrace unknowns; and innovate.

Successful Small Business Owners Don’t Look At This Recession As A Challenge – They Look At It As An Opportunity.

Your competition is going to struggle, but that doesn’t mean you have to.

Trends for 2009

Entitlement Into Privilege

Adaptation To Change

Employee Lawsuits Even More Prevalent

The Need To Do More With Less

Communication Is Key

(And, There Is Some Good News!)

Employees ARE TRANSFORMING THEIR MENTALITY

It’s Going From “Entitlement” To “Privilege”

Entitlement:

Attitude is when an employee feels owed by their employers.

Employee can pick up and leave for a better opportunity at the first sign of disappointment.

Attitude is generally not that of a team player – but as an individual who deserves promotion, salary increases and more attention.

Privilege

Everyone knows that layoffs have been pervasive, and they could be the next to go.

This will result – if managed properly – in employees who will complain less, work harder, and become more appreciative of the job they have.

Adapting to change is key to success

Change

One of the most misunderstood and feared actions in business.

No one knows how to deal with it well.

When things go well, you don't need change.

When things are going badly, change can't happen fast enough.

Fear relating to change is simply the fear of the unknown.

Adapting to change is key to success (continued)

Managing Change

You're a leader. You are on stage.

You're not allowed to show frustration or weakness.

Leaders lead - they say "here is the way I believe we need to go," and then go.

This is the attitude you must take when managing change.

Virtually Any Change Breeds Opportunity - The Key Is Finding The Opportunity And Acting On It.

Focus on the positive.

Wage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalent

If You’re Going To Terminate Or Reduce An Employee, They’re Going To Look For A Way To Get Money – Especially In A Dismal Job Marketplace.

They have more time and more incentive to file.

If You Plan Reductions-In-Force Or Layoffs,

Your house needs to be in order before you take action.

Labor lawyers are changing their practices to focus solely on wage and hour lawsuits, which are easy to prove.

Violations are myriad in businesses throughout the United States – especially in California.

Wage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalent (continued)

Employees Everywhere Are Reading About The Huge Sums Of Money ‘Won’ By Disgruntled Ex-employees Filing Lawsuits Against Their Employers.

The major focus will be on:

Exempt or non-exempt status.

Meal and break periods.

‘ Independent contractor’ should properly have been classified as an employee.

Think It Can’t Happen To You? Or Is Your Excuse That You’ve Never Had It Happen To You Before?

All it takes is one employee to talk to an attorney.

Ask Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Electronic Arts, and the thousands

of small businesses that have paid hundreds of millions of

dollars in the past year.

The opportunity is now to do more with less

Performance Management

If you're maximizing the people you have, you won't need so many people.

You can get more done with fewer people by knowing what your people do best.

Evaluate your talent. Carefully consider your need for every one of your employees.

Most businesses are not maximizing each and every employee they have.

There are techniques available to ensure talent maximization.

Find your best performers.

Businesses that communicate effectively are those who will succeed

It Is Imperative That Frequent And Clear Communication Lead The Way To Your Success.

There Is Fear In The Marketplace.

Employees are wondering if you’re going to cut staff, perquisites, and their free coffee.

Employees are heavily invested in the success of their business, and they have a right to know what you’re doing.

Even saying, “I don’t know” is preferable to not communicating.

It’s more than a memo or company-wide e-mail.

Managers and supervisors must be empowered to candidly talk with their staffs as well.

Before You Consider Cuts, Survey Your Employees:

What benefits would you cut if we needed to?

You will be surprised that the suggestions you get.

SO WHAT’S THE GOOD NEWS?

Adversity Breeds Innovation.

There Has Never Been A Better Time To Be In Sales For Business Services.

Opportunity To Affect Change Has Never Been Better.

Adversity breeds innovation

Complacency

Too many businesses have become complacent.

That complacency (“we’ve always done it this way”) has failed both businesses and employees.

When Times Become Difficult Is The Exact Moment To Innovate.

Successful leaders and managers:

Take a calculated risk now and again.

Are Innovators

Great leaders do not avoid or fear trouble: they embrace

it.

Adversity breeds innovation (CONTINUED)

Involve Everyone

Put together groups of your employees into focus sessions.

Ask them what they would do if they were in your shoes.

Encourage participation and never denigrate an idea.

At this time – any idea is worthy of exploration.

Competition Will Be Inert This Year.

The best way to excel over your competitors is to honestly re-evaluate your business.

Hallmarks of Great Managers

- VISION

- EQUALITY

- LEADERSHIP

ACCOMPLISHMENT

- COMMITMENT

This presentation, like all materials, training, and services offered by RSJ/Swenson LLC are offered and sold with the understanding that it is not engaged in rendering legal counseling or other professional service. If legal counseling or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent practitioner in the relevant area should be sought.

In 2009, the business owner and leader who has the ability to honestly evaluate talent, performance and make the decisions necessary to sustain the business not just in the short term, but for the long term, is the leader who will be highly successful both this year and beyond.