Business is just a game of two halves but Ö

With the football season drawing rapidly to a close there will be many a manager contemplating life in a lower league. And, for every distraught soccer boss whose team faces relegation there will be another celebrating promotion or even a league victory, but whatís the difference between success and failure?



Team management, whether itís on the football field or in the office, is critical to performance because the sum of everyoneís effort is far greater than that of any individual.

David Robertson, chief executive of specialist cashflow provider Bibby Financial Services, says: ìWhen you watch a game of football itís obvious that itís a team game, but when youíre running a business day to day itís easy to overlook the importance of good teamwork. If you decide now to devote quality time and effort to developing your leaderships skills you will be able to get your employees playing as a team and results will almost certainly improve.î

In order to help, Bibby Financial Services has developed the following tips to show business owners and managers how they can lead from the front and get their teams working towards a common goal.

1.Game plan - make sure your business has a clear game plan and let your
employees know what it is so they can help you reach your business goal

2.Donít score an own goal - lead by example and get your employees on side
by doing what you say you will do.

3.Make good transfers - whenever you have a job vacancy make sure you get
the right person for the job. Source the best candidates and spend quality time interviewing them. Remember the right skills are essential as is making sure the chosen person will fit into the team

4.Be a decisive referee - itís important in business to be decisive but
make sure you make fair and balanced decisions. One poor decision could have a lasting negative effect

5.Keep your team on side - be honest and sensitive to your employeesí needs
and ask for their views on business matters

6.Team tactics - make sure you make the most of your employeesí skills by
playing to their individual strengths

7.Talk a good game - if someone does a good job let them know it by praising them. Always accentuate the positive and encourage staff to do their best. If you have to tackle a member of staff over an issue donít just be negative - point out the things they do well at the same time

8.Be a good manager - manage your time well and help others to do the same by planning and prioritising tasks. Concentrate on the issues that will make the big difference and donít be afraid to tackle the difficult things first

9.Open play - it is said the boss works in covert while the leader works in the open, so do your best to be open and honest with your team and you will gain their respect, loyalty and trust. Your integrity is critical - without it all else will be forgotten

10.Win, lose or draw - as the leader you have the ability to influence team spirit positively or negatively. Your decisions and actions have a direct effect on morale and by good communication you can keep the team motivated and ready for the challenges they will face

David Robertson concludes: ìIf you follow these leadership tips then you could well win promotion to the next business league or maybe youíll find yourself in the play offs instead of loitering in mid table or worse still struggling for survival in the relegation zone.î