To Be Productive (aka 2bProductive Blog): Uncovering Key Business Management Issues

The economy is down and inflation is rising! The pandemic is not coming to an end yet and schools move to and fro with web-based classrooms - continuing to effect the workability and challenge flexibility of employees. There are so many issues facing business this year, it is no wonder managers are trying to find what they should be doing to keep their business thriving. Many are turning to their Human Resource departments to do research or they are doing their own research on the internet or by reading multiple business-related publications.

There are so many articles and surveys trying to give leaders some sort of idea where to concentrate their efforts. However, they need to be read carefully for who the article is meant to help. Is it meant to help most corporations stay in-the-black, or to keep small businesses afloat in uncertain times, or is the article really meant to generate a business need that will actually profit the article writer more than those who read the article or post?

Two surveys that you may want to review include:

Is technology a big issue for business in 2022? Security companies are telling business mangers that cyber security should be their main concern to prevent business interruptions. However, only 57% of managers they surveyed agreed with that. At the same time, companies that offer telecommunications are still saying it is important to increase virtual meeting capability and phone app usage as the pandemic has taken various twists and turns. Are they right and are telecommunication companies ready to meet performance requirements? Does your company need new technology, better technology, or updates to telecommuting processes and policies?

Are social issues and/or DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) a current issue for business? Although consultants will tell you these are major concerns, do they really affect the bottom line? Yes, if you choose the wrong ones! Social awareness is supposed to be key to the newer generation of employees but following what maybe advertised as politically correct has cost many companies in loss of valuable customers due to boycotts the past few years. DEI was low on the Gartner survey as it does impact Human Resources, Not only as a training program, employees have left companies for bringing in propaganda disguised as "diversity training" that was insulting to their personal morals, values, ethics, and intelligence. These same employees took customers when they reported the that information on social media, which created a PR nightmare and devastated the image of those companies. Traditional versions of DEI and EEO to build trust and understanding. as well as prevent racial issues has been effective for decades. But some of the new "improved" versions may not be what they claim, instead they can build distrust and division. Employees working against each other can not be good for business. Management and HR must research heavily and attend the training themselves before they bring in anything that is not skills related to verify it meets their needs to include others not divide people. Consultants and training material providers want to make sales, just like you do - so verify the facts instead of believing the pitch. Make sure what you buy truly matches corporate culture and beliefs.

Is supply chain still a key issue for businesses to be concerned about? This concern did make the bloomberg survey as the continued pandemic has and will affect it. Whether your business is a supplier or uses supplies, you should be adapting your processes sustainable and resilient. Organizations will need to become streamline and agile. Products quality also needs to be maintained to ensure repeat customers. who are moving from a just-in-time ordering process to a storing for future purposes.

Seems like business managers may be better focused on the needs of their particular business than listening to the trends. Read the surveys to learn what others think, but keep in mind that is their impression based on their experience not yours. Focus on your compnay leadership, your customer service, and your process improvement. Yes, you can research "what's new" just be sure to check it through your professional lens to determine if it meets you needs or just send your dollars down the drain into another's profits. Jumping on a new bandwagon without really looking, means you are likely to totally miss your target!

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