C Venkat is fast becoming the management alphabet expert. Here is his prescription for good management in the new millennium.
ADAPT
As the water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.
BASICS
Know well the undisputed basics relating to the job, market, company policies, competition, etc.
CUSTOMER ORIENTATION
Independent of the functional attachment, focus on the customer and serve him with global standards.
DELEGATION
Identify the areas of delegation. Time it right and delegate to the right delegatee
EMPATHY
Sense others’ feelings, anticipate them and take them seriously.
FEEDBACK
Provide objective,timely and assertive feedback to employees and other decision makers.
GOVERNING
Develop the skills required to manage government officials at the local, state and central government departments and make them partners in building the organisation
HARD WORK
Maintain consistently high levels of physical and mental energy levels.
INVOLVEMENT
So involved that there is a finger on the pulse of the organisation.
JOVIALITY
Having warm, affectionate humour and telling stories appropriate to the place and position to ease the tension naturally.
KNOWLEDGE
The ability and speed with which relevant knowledge is acquired and applied for achieving organisational objectives.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership is not “charisma”; it is not “public relations”; it is not showmanship. It is performance, consistent behaviour, trust-worthiness.
MARKETING
It is not product marketing, but the marketing of ideas by every manager of every function, within and outside the organisation.
NEGOTIATING
Work towards a win-win situation among the various partners involved within and outside the organisation, not between buyer and seller alone.
OBSERVING OBJECTIVELY
Observe with an objective eye every transaction between people without attaching personal meaning or interpreting subjectively.
PICKING POSITIVES
Develop a positive attitude. It can bring about miracles.
QUALITY
Quality is not merely the quality of products, but the quality of every output generated by the
manager being equated to the quality of organisation.
RESPONSIBILITY
Take responsibility. It will generate different sets of positive efforts.
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Be well organised and make every minute count.
TRANSPARENCY
Be open in dealing with customers, employees and other partners. It helps in building trust and mutual respect.
UNDERSTANDING
Successful management is all about understanding people and getting them to share your vision.
VALUES
Having well established value system which has been tested in various ways.
WANDERING ABOUT
Knowing what is happening to people and processes within the organisation.
X-RAYING
Knowing the cause behind the problem for confirming the diagnosis.
YESTERDAY
The lead time for responding to the needs of customers, employees has come down drastically. They need it yesterday.
ZEAL
Exhibit high enthusiasm. It’s infectious.