Last week, BetaKit and Dell teamed up to tackle a challenge every business leader faces: managing people effectively. How do leaders balance the goals of the company with the goals of each employee? How can they ensure that employees are getting the mentorship they need?
For companies looking to hit the refresh button on their team management this year, our Twitter chat wrap up has you covered. BetaKit asked entrepreneurs across Canada for their tips and tricks on setting up the workplace for overall success, and rounded up some of the best answers.
How teams can refocus their priorities with the new year:
A1: Retros are a key part of our process. Doing department retros on the previous year help us reprioritize for the new year. #DellSMBchat
— TribalScale (@TribalScale) January 12, 2017
A1: I start with writing an advance retrospective. It's a great tool for goal-setting & prioritization #DellSMBChat: https://t.co/UPZdu0AkB3 https://t.co/rGrXydpV8D
— Erin Bury (@erinbury) January 12, 2017
@DellSmbCA – A1: When things are balanced / working, priorities are CONSTANTLY being updated. This IS the advantage of an SMB #DellSMBchat pic.twitter.com/sTFvXbYneK
— Michael Litt (@michaellitt) January 12, 2017
How mid-sized businesses can ensure teams are aligned on priorities:
Q4A1 – Ensuring you have the tools to scale communication AND feedback up and across the org. Pulse checks are key. #DellSMBchat https://t.co/1sT2HMjDib
— Plasticity Labs (@plasticity) January 12, 2017
A4: Again, retros and kick-off meetings encourage transparency and alignment across our organization. #DellSMBchat
— TribalScale (@TribalScale) January 12, 2017
.@DellSmbCA A4: T3's r rly important. What are YOUR top 3 objectives for the qtr. how are they measured? Do they align w Org goals?
— Michael Litt (@michaellitt) January 12, 2017
How businesses can nurture mentorship opportunities:
@DellSmbCA A5 Gotta get personal. It's a weird mix of both inspirational and knowldgeable and friend #DellSMBchat
— Sol Orwell (@sol_orwell) January 12, 2017
A5: Mentorship is how I stay on track as a leader, and how I prepare/reward/grow staff for future challenges #DellSMBchat https://t.co/rggzbX7fyv
— Douglas Tr0n Soltys (@tron) January 12, 2017
A5: We have some amazing thought leaders in our org. We leverage them as well as our network to keep mentorship alive. #DellSMBchat
— TribalScale (@TribalScale) January 12, 2017
A5: We offer an education budget that can be used for courses/mentorship programs, but could do more for in-house mentorship #DellSMBChat https://t.co/9K1L7IvhYo
— Erin Bury (@erinbury) January 12, 2017
How leaders keep themselves accountable:
Q7A1: It helps to remain accountable to others. Great article here about the science of goal keeping. https://t.co/VMyCMt6M4H #DellSMBchat https://t.co/HRyAuH84nE
— Jennifer Moss (@JenLeighMoss) January 12, 2017
.@DellSmbCA – A7: Constantly ask for feedback. CEOs are rarely provided constructive feedback – have to always ask! #DellSMBchat
— Michael Litt (@michaellitt) January 12, 2017
A7: #Transparency is key. When we’ve got the whole tribe keeping us accountable, we can’t let them down. It’s not an option! #DellSMBchat
— TribalScale (@TribalScale) January 12, 2017
How to keep employees engaged all year:
@DellSmbCA A10 (1) TALK TO THEM! Reminds me of academia – don't be ensconced in your ivory tower #DellSMBchat
— Sol Orwell (@sol_orwell) January 12, 2017
@DellSmbCA A10 (2) It is so trendy these days to talk to your customers, yet entrepreneurs fail to do the same with their own #DellSMBchat
— Sol Orwell (@sol_orwell) January 12, 2017
.@DellSmbCA A10 Everyone workng toward a common goal requires everyone having access to the same info. Be Open, Honest and Transparent!
— Michael Litt (@michaellitt) January 12, 2017
Q10A1 Practice gratitude. Seems simple, but when staff write down 1 grateful thing daily, it improves the workplace experience. #DellSMBchat https://t.co/nCMzfd0HM5
— Jennifer Moss (@JenLeighMoss) January 12, 2017
A10: "At the end of this there will be wine." #DellSMBchat https://t.co/e5eEPJFXeb
— Douglas Tr0n Soltys (@tron) January 12, 2017
A10: Find out what matters most to them. Make that part of your vision as a company. #DellSMBchat
— TribalScale (@TribalScale) January 12, 2017
Q10A2 – And – be aware of what your team is grateful for. Read the posts. Knowledge of your team's motivations goes a LONG way! #DellSMBchat https://t.co/nCMzfd0HM5
— Jennifer Moss (@JenLeighMoss) January 12, 2017