Important Announcement #16
DATE: October 24, 1997
TO: Industry Colleagues And Friends
FROM: Stiernberg Consulting
SUBJECT: Management Myths, Web Site Update, and Latest News!
More Big News: This is to share some ideas and update you on activities since Important Announcement #15 was sent in July 1997. As our industry grows and changes, we find ourselves busier than ever. Here's the latest news.
Management: Do We Really Need It?
Many people take management skills for granted. Conventional thinking often goes, "I've had good bosses, and I've had poor bosses, therefore I know how to be a good manager." It's true that examples of management experiences you've had--both good and bad--can be filed away as reference. However, good management is a combination of learned skills, desire, and inherent talent. Like the proverbial iceberg, there's much to good management that goes unseen. In other words, it's noticeable when the skills are not there, yet good management is often invisible.
Here are two common management myths of the late 1990's:
Myth 1: We have a non-hierarchical organization and don't need management. Each person has the freedom to do what he or she needs to do to be creative and productive. Hey, we all wear many hats, as well as jeans to work on Fridays. The people in the organization manage themselves. It's very free and open.
Reality: This is often a cover up for lack of leadership skills--it's confusing style with substance. An organization without good management will just drift. Strong leadership does not mean dictatorial management. The two issues (leadership vision and management skill) are separate but related. In every organization the leader sets the tone. Management is a vital responsibility and a full time job.
Myth 2: Managers spend most of their time giving directions and explaining their position on issues. It only takes a few minutes a day to check schedules and assign tasks. It's important that the organization do what the manager mandates.
Reality: Remember the four functions of management? They are 1) planning, 2) organizing, 3) motivating, and 4) controlling. Yes, good managers need to give clear direction. But good managers spend plenty of time working with employees to fully understand their perspectives on issues. Depending on the size of the organization, these four functions can take up more than 100% of the manager's time. In our company's management consulting and staff mentoring work, we add listening as the fifth essential management function.
Learned Skills or Dumb Luck?
We often take good management skills for granted. "Natural born" managers make it look easy, but remember that it's a learned skill. Unfortunately, many people are promoted into management positions without having the required management skills or experience. Management skill training and re-training needs to be provided consciously and continually. It's not rocket science, but it does require focus--and commitment from the top.
Faxback Survey #16: Management Training vs. Chance Operations
Does your company offer training or on-the-job mentoring for its managers? The faxback survey includes this question as well as a chance to win our Holiday Grand Prize--see below and please take a moment to respond.
News Update and Housekeeping
Survey #14 Results: We Have Another Winner!
Thanks to those of you who responded to Faxback Survey #15. There was quite a wide range of favorite musicians, records, and movies reported--too diverse to summarize here (but that's good--this is a diverse group!). The majority of those responding asked that the newsletter continue to be sent as is (via post), so that is what we are doing for now. We are considering fax and e-mail versions for the future.
The winner of the audio book Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity by John Kao and the $25 American Express Gift Cheque is Jeff Zemanek of ISR, Inc. in Huntington Beach, CA. Congratulations!
How Do You Like Our Web Site?
We've updated stiernberg.com again, adding recent seminars and publications to the growing list. We hope you'll visit the site and comment--we're eager for input so we can make it better and more useful to you.
More trade shows...
We will be attending upcoming industry events and look forward to seeing you at Telecon (11/97 Anaheim ), CES (1/98 Las Vegas), NAMM (1/98 Los Angeles), and HAA Expo (2/98 Orlando). Will you be there? Please let us know via the enclosed faxback form.
Special Prize Drawing
The prize drawing is a regular feature of the Important Announcement Series. Here's how to enter: Returning the attached faxback survey enters you in the special prize drawing. The prize this issue is a combination of Jeanne's Famous Holiday Truffles (chocolate soaked in Rebel Yell Bourbon) and a $25 American Express Gift Cheque. On Monday, November 24, 1997, the winning survey will be drawn at random from the ones received by either fax or mail. Sound like fun? Please respond today!
About Stiernberg Consulting
We are business development consultants. Our clients include
manufacturers, publishers, trade associations, rep firms, and
dealers in the electronics industry, with emphasis on entertainment
and communications. We work on a wide range of projects from
strategic planning and market development to event production,
training seminars, and custom research. Visit our web site or
request our brochures for more information.
Let's Talk Soon!
We would like to share more information about our practice with you and get to know you better. Please call, fax, or send e-mail any time. Looking forward to hearing from you!