MBA Journal April 2011

The Three Traits You Will Need To Possess To Get Ahead

Most companies prefer to hire from within their company structure, for the most part because individuals who already work within a company know more about the company, what management is looking for, and have a proven track record.  For those individuals who are just looking for a position based on their level of education, training, and experience, this could be a detriment to them.  Ultimately, when a company begins looking at its established employees to hire from within they will be using a much different set of criteria from those they would use when doing a mass hiring through the general public.  If you are looking to get hired for a position from within a company that you are already working you will want to make sure that you have shown upper management the following three traits as these will be very high on the list of things they are looking for from an up and coming manager.

1. Communication.  If you can’t communicate then very simply don’t bother applying.  Communication is key to success in business and you must not only be able to communicate ideas effectively but also to speak to all other employees with respect as well. 
2. Hard Working.  When the management team begins to look at current employees one factor that can work in your favor is having a track record of hard work.  They will look at how many days you have been tardy and absent and also how many times you have stayed late or volunteered for additional work that wasn’t your responsibility.
3. Knowledgeable.  One of the biggest assets to hiring someone from within the confines of the business is to be hiring someone who already knows and understands the inner workings of the company.  Taking the time to do your homework about the company will help to get you promoted.

These three things can singlehandedly make or break your chances of getting promoted.  If you are looking for an opportunity for advancement then you will want to make sure that you have these three areas covered.  Training may look good on a resume but practical knowledge and a good track record will hands down help you get promoted with just about any company across the board. 

Bringing Everyone Up To Speed Without Having To Shut Down Operations

Many companies overlook comprehensive training programs and seminars for the entire company for the most part because they just don’t understand how valuable these resources can be.  So many times companies emphasize training the upper level employees and management team and hope that they will convey this message to the lower level employees but this method of training and management doesn’t always work very well.

Over time companies need to realize that their first line of business is those lower level employees and it is important to not just have them trained by upper level management but by the professional classes that can help them to better excel in their role within the company.  Training classes that apply to upper level employees don’t always apply to those on the lower rungs as well.

Some of the best management training programs like Six Sigma for instance, gear their training program to those individuals on all different levels of the company and this allows everyone to get the information they need to help contribute to the success of the company from their role in the company.  This is the best way to create a cohesive team and a better functioning staff.

One consideration in implementing this type of training program must be the time that has to be invested in this training by all employees who will be away from their positions during the training period and many companies can’t afford to send all their employees off the premises for a period of time to master these principles.  It is for this reason that many training programs are utilizing classes online to train employees.  This allows employees to get in their training while still continuing to fulfill their obligations in the day to day running of the company.  This allows for all employees to receive the training they need without placing additional financial burden on the company.

Why Consider Adding 6 Sigma Training To Your Resume?

Six sigma is by far one of the best management training programs available very simply because it is not only in extremely high demand but also because it is so versatile it is a tool that will benefit you in many different forums. As a business manager, you need to make sure that you have some things that really stand out on your resume, very simply because the market is currently flooded with lots of acceptable and qualified candidates some of them even over qualified. When a company is looking over a large number of applications and resumes they will want to see something that makes them want to further understand your level of expertise. The more training and business awards you have on your resume the better the likelihood that company is going to ask you to come in for an interview.

Most standard applications will have some education and experience on them and this will make them look the same. When it comes to the wow factor then you will not only need to have an incredibly professional looking resume that is well laid out but one that showcases you and your assets above those of the other potential candidates. It is important to keep in mind that although a company may receive thousands of resumes they may only conduct 10 or 15 interviews to fill a management position so if you want to get your foot in the door and have that opportunity to wow them with the way you look and communicate then you need something that is going to make them call you over the other candidates.

Six sigma certification is something that can be easily obtained and can make your resume better than all the rest. Having any type of specialized training on your resume will definitely help but with the growing popularity of 6 Sigma in the business world placing this on your resume will definitely help you get an interview with just about any corporation and may just be a key factor in helping you obtain the job as well.

Having A Commanding Presence Without Having To Be Bossy

One of the biggest keys to success in business by far is being able to be in control of your business without having to be bossy. While everyone likes a manager who is in charge and accepts responsibility no one likes someone who is constantly talking down to them and bossing them around. By far this is one of the biggest issues managers face the balance between being in charge and constantly commanding others.

When managing any business you want to command respect without shouting commands all day and by far one of the best ways to do just that is by creating a positive image of yourself in the eyes of your employees. They will want to trust the fact that you will put the responsibility on yourself and that you will also be willing to help with the actual work. It is imperative that everyone feel that they are on the team with their managers and not under them.

A cooperative team atmosphere helps to level the playing field and helps to create a cooperative attitude which is always to your benefit in business. It not only benefits the workers but also creates a cooperative attitude for those who are in six sigma management training because it helps to create a bridge between the lower level employees and upper management.

There are many things that managers can do to create a team atmosphere and increase their credibility amongst lower level employees. Some of the things include making themselves accessible and available to talk to and bounce ideas off of as well as to meet with employee regularly to help form a good relationship with all employees. Keeping open communication is by far one of the best ways for upper management to be more effective in running a business without having to consistently command respect from lower level employees.

Understanding The Full Range Of Your Management Responsibilities

So you think you hit the big time because you are now in charge of the business you are in or at least a small portion of it? Well, you may be in charge but being the boss isn’t all it is cracked up to be in some companies. With a scarcity of jobs out there to behold many people jump on board for the first management opening that comes available but not all managers have the same level of accountability and depending on business that you are signing on with you may be biting off a bit more than you can chew.

Managers by definition can be responsible for any number of things in a business. While some managers sit behind a desk and delegate responsibility, others are just figureheads that wind up having to do most of the work for minimal compensation.

Unfortunately many people who apply for management positions don’t realize that there are such a wide variety of six sigma management definitions and so many different definitions from company to company. These days there are other issues in the corporate world as well stemming from the economic difficulties that many companies are facing today. Many managers come to the realization that they have stepped into something messy when they realize that after just a few short weeks if they have yet to create solutions to all the company’s problems that they are themselves in turn out of job once again. Many companies are looking for a miracle worker and not a manager.

It is a good idea when applying for a management position that you take your time to interview the company while they are interviewing you. It can be very easy to fall prey to empty promises without doing your homework and you will want to make sure that you ask a variety of questions about the job expectations prior to committing to take the position. It is just as important that you find a position with a company that meets your needs as it is for that company to find a person who fits the position they are needing to fill.