Research into best practices has shown that the most effective way to grow a business is by tapping the ideas and energy of the managers and employees on the front lines, the people who deal with customers on a daily basis.
Yet in a recent study, practically all of the workers surveyed felt that they were simply expected to follow orders, that all of the initiatives came down from the top.
The reason for this disconnect might simply be the harsh business environment, according to business consultant Andrew Goldberg. A recent study of about six million businesses showed that only about 10 percent of them survived 40 years or more. A majority folded after just 10 years.
But to get the new ideas and the best ideas to help a business grow and prosper, a strictly top-down setup just won’t cut it. The connections between thinkers and doers in a company are informal and don’t always follow the organizational charts laid out on paper, Goldberg says. Getting those connections going isn’t always easy. To make it work, the people at the top have to get involved and play an active role. They have to get involved with the people on the front lines.
Goldberg uses the example of the military to show how this works. If you look at the military organization on paper, it looks very hierarchical, a prime example of a top-down system.
But in reality, the exact opposite is the case. The commanders at the top are committed to and continually working to keep the lines of communication open to the people on the front lines. The commanders are always learning from the people in the trenches.
What the generals value most is creativity and adaptability to different situations, Goldberg says. One general spends almost one-third of his time on the battlefield, and he says he always learns something when he goes there. The general is always asking his front-line people for their ideas and input on the best way to do things. And when he gets a good idea, he makes sure that it is put into practice, without regard for who gets credit.
This, Goldberg says, is how CEOs have to operate if they want their businesses to flourish. Although staying in contact with people on the front lines, and working with them, can be time consuming, it pays off in the end.
Whether you’re looking for great managers or reliable and skilled line workers for your Inland Empire company, look to Arrow Staffing for all your recruiting needs. “We know where the good guys are,” and we’d love to find them for your firm. Contact us today!