Essential Management Questions

As I said in the first blog entry, the job of a manager is to convert resources into results.

That simple definition leads to a few essential management questions:

1. What are the three to four most important results your organization is focused on achieving or improving?
2. What are all the available resources you have to choose from in order to improve or achieve the desired organizational results?
3. How can you combine and deploy those resources toward the improvement or achievement of the desired results?

Most managers I've met have little problem answering the first question. However, many of them are not aware of the full array of resources available to them.

The primary resources they miss out on are the lessons that their employees have learned during their careers. Too often I've seen top managers huddle with a very small group of peers and direct reports and develop a plan of action that completely avoids any input from the people responsible for implementing the items on the plan. The knowledge of the front-line work force is a key resource available for no additional fee. Just tap into it.

In answering question three, remain patient as you keep digging for ways to leverage what you have to achieve what you want. Consider unusual combinations and keep in mind that success does not solely depend on throwing a bunch of money at the problem. Sometimes spending very little money can force you and others to really think of powerful new combinations for the resources you already have available.