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[B1009]Business And Management Skills

by Kirrily Dear, Kir

New data has shown that the majority of business owner-operators neglect their personal needs and have no plan to exit their business upon retirement.

The survey indicates that only 37% of owner-operators have planned for their own exit from the business and only 38% have any form of personal development plan to ensure ongoing career development and satisfaction.

64% of SME owners work more than a 40-hour week and only 45% take four weeks holiday each year. While many business owners consider they’re in business for lifestyle reasons, this is clearly not their reality.

These insights have emerged from a sample of more than 300 Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in 32 industries. Respondents have gone to http://www.eyeswideopen.com.au/pages/Quiz where they have completed a 22-point questionnaire that provides them with a snapshot of their own business, how it rates in their industry and compares it with the total sample.

Kirrily Dear, Director of ‘Eyes Wide Open’ (a pragmatic business consultancy servicing SMEs) says this survey is different because it addresses the happiness and fulfillment of the owner.

“We believe it is the first time the owner-operator’s personal needs have been acknowledged as a critical part of management. It is possible that there is a connection between business owners neglecting their personal needs as they strive to grow their business and the long terms sustainability of small businesses".

Management Skills Gap

In the wake of a major growth surge in the size of the SME sector of the economy over the last ten years, the survey points to a serious gap in on-going management skills.

For example, only 61% of businesses completing the questionnaire set and hit their sales and profit targets in the last 12 months. 60% have defined roles; responsibilities and targets for their team, but only 55% actually conduct regular performance reviews.

However, small business owners continue to perform well as employers. 87% encourage team members to contribute ideas on improving business operations and 85% regularly offer encouragement to the team. 77% regularly discuss achieving business goals with their team.

Out in the lead is the Human Resources sector with an overall score of 73%. This industry out-performs others in internal communication and performance management. For instance, 86% of Recruitment/HR/Outplacement companies conduct regular performance reviews compared with the total sample (55%). Many also work 40 hours per week or less.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Retail trade had an average score of 44%. This sector scored below average on 19 of the 22 attributes measured. Of particular concern for this sector is the lack of planning. Only 23% had a business plan compared to 50% overall.

The questionnaire is available online for the next six months and can be completed by any SME owner-operator. Ms Dear says, “It is very thought-provoking and reminds us of key management issues that may have been forgotten in the busy-ness of day-to-day business".

Kirrily Dear has this advice for SME owner-operators: “Take stock of why you are in business and what's important to you. It is important to be clear about these factors to ensure you are able to sustain your motivation and commitment to building a successful business. Also you need to work on reducing the extent to which the business relies on you personally. It is crucial that you keep perspective on your own health and general well-being".

Survey top-line Results:

1. Recruitment, HR, Outplacement = 73%

2. Accommodation, restaurants, cafes = 66%

3. Marketing & Biz Consulting = 62%

4. Manufacturing and construction = 61%

5. Financial Planning = 59%

6. Accounting and business administration = 58%

7. Retail trade = 44%

http://www.eyeswideopen.com.au/

Before the presentation:

Knowledge of the characteristics of the offeree the most important factors to the success of the presentation, they lead you to determine the style and language to be used, and will it be: Official or friendly. Professional, technical or slang. General information or specialized. Total or in detail

During the presentation:

• Be sure to follow listeners by your eyes fair and balanced.
• Noted the actions of the present and careful interpretation of physical expressions of the audience.
• Understanding of the situation and conditions of the audience: air, as food, stress after the working day, come from travel, and others.

Elements of the presentation:

• Introduction
• Content
• Conclusion

A-Introduction:

Designed to pave the audience and informing them about the elements of the subject.
A good Introduction made clear to the listeners the nature of the subject matter, showing them what to expect from the presentation, and the expectation of the speaker from them.

Elements of the introduction:

• Extended greetings to the audience
• Introduce yourself
• Substance of the presentation (the title)
• Time of the introduction

Content of the introduction:

• Reference to what should not be expected from the presentation
• Reference to training aids, material science, literature ,..... And other

characteristics of successful introduction:

successful Introduction must lead to:

• Attract the attention of listeners
• Break the barriers and melting the ice between the speaker and listeners
• Make listeners feel the importance of the presentation subject
• Make listeners feel of their need to information provided
• Reduction of excess expectations of listeners
• Suspense to engage listeners on presentation.

how to start an Introduction:

There are many models of good beginning, including:

• The issue of Introduction: will speak at the next hour....
• Communication with the audience: I know that the weather today is hot and you are exhausted from traveling.
• A short story related to the subject of the presentation.
• An interesting information
• an interesting question: : How much of you need a good solution for business management?
• Explain the problem and then begin to put alternatives to solutions.

B-Content:

Is the central part and most of the presentation, which aim to:

• Retain the attention of viewers.
• Help them to follow up the ideas raised.
• Directed towards findings the results.

characteristics of successful Content:

To achieve the goals:

• Is planning to build or structure of the subject the way in which to convince the audience.
• Divides the content to points (Headlines) primary and secondary clear and logical sequence.
• Be used to clarify the means of a simple and expressive.
• Use appropriate language structures to link the transition between the parts of the presentation.

Building structure of Content:

There are several methods for dividing the content of the presentation, including:

• The division of time: past, present and future.
• Factional division: finance, human resources, production.
• Comparative division: the old system, the proposed system.
• division of alternatives: the first alternative, the second alternative, the third alternative.
• Division of gradual (upward or downward:)one of the most important factor, followed by ...
• Network division: individual, institution, society.

Wait for my next article Business Management and Presentation Skills part 2 about Management in Business.

Article Source : Pg. 8

About Author

Both Kirrily Dear & Yamen Shahin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kirrily Dear has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management, Start Online Business and Marketing. Kirrily Dear is the Founder and Development Director of Eyes Wide Open. Kirrily has worked in the field of strategy and research for the last 13 years. Her experience extends internationally to include North America, UK, Europe and New Zealand. She is a w. Kirrily Dear's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.

Yamen Shahin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management, Accounting Bookkeeping General Svc and Video. Shahin is the director of the MyAboutAll articles and other articles as well, visit MyAboutall site for. Yamen Shahin's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.