Keep Your Management Focus in Uncertain Economic Times

"Stick to the knitting" and ask yourself "Does it make the boat go faster?"
These are well known terms used by management experts and a world renowned leader.

Tom Peters and Bob Waterman used the phrase "stick to the knitting" in their book "In Search of Excellence". Stick to the business you know best. Stick to what you're an expert in and don't diversify too widely in uncertain economic times. If you're a software company, don't be tempted to go into the coffee shop business in an attempt to create another income stream. Stick with what you're good at and what you know well.

When times are tough, hone down your product or skills, refine what you do and make everything as efficient and as good as possible. Hone, refine and make efficient everything that you are and everything you do to survive the storm.

Be sure what your long-term focus is and keep to it.

"Does it make the boat go faster?" was a question continually asked by Sir Peter Blake who won the America's Cup in 1995 and 2000. He was to sailing and waters what Sir Edmund Hillary was to climbing and the mountains. Blake was a New Zealander, a native of Auckland who was knighted in 1995. He was killed in December 2001 on the Amazon, shot by pirates aboard his boat. He was a great leader and manager - highly regarded because of the man he was, because of everything he had achieved and because of everything he represented. He was utterly focused but always open to all suggestions from his team. He continually asked: "Does it make the boat go faster?"

Peter Blake's view was the epitome of keeping focus. No matter what suggestions are put forward for improvement and initiatives, the only really important question to ask in economic downturn is "will it improve the business" ("Does it make the boat go faster?") If the initiative is cosmetic, you don't have the time or energy to devote to it because your focus has to be on the key business. The color of the curtains won't stop the house sliding down the hill. Even if you promised new curtains last year, they are the last thing to consider if there's a landslide expected. It's far better to save the money scheduled for curtains and put it to earth moving machines.

Keeping your focus involves using binoculars too. The current economic woes are not just about your company and your business. Your situation is connected with everything else that's going on in the world.

For logistical reasons and to be inspired by new ideas, managers have to watch what's happening everywhere. Managers need to be aware of changing trends, population, demographics, social changes and tipping points.

You have to be aware of and implement any and every strategy that helps you get through the day to day and makes your boat go faster.

"Management by walking about" (MBWA) is an excellent way of keeping in touch with staff and keeping your finger on the pulse of what's going on and how everything is going. Nothing beats face-to-face contact, your availability and your approachability when times are tough.

You can read more on "Management by walking about", leadership, communication and other manager skills at "Managers Need To Know".

Elizabeth Best co-founded Managers Need To Know - http://managersneedtoknow.com.

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Elizabeth is a management consultant, specializing in manager development and renowned for her focused practical advice.http://EzineArticles.com/