We can all probably agree that there are good and acceptable methods to running a company. And then there are the worst ways to manage your company. With the obvious illegal scandals, embezzlement and what not aside, let’s delve into the not so common, yet still frowned upon ways to run your company.
1) Managing Leads Without Using Dedicated Software
First off, running a company without Software is a surefire recipe for disaster. You can’t really expect to handle large volumes of potential clients without some technology. But that’s not exactly what this point is about.
If you’re managing your leads using, let’s say, Excel spreadsheets, chances are likely, you’re probably struggling to get it all down. The more leads you generate, the more of a burden it becomes to manually enter them one by one.
That’s where dedicated Software comes into play. Using Software that’s designed to help you manage your leads will take so much of the burden off your shoulders that you’d be wondering what the actual intended use for an Excel spreadsheet really is.
2) Using Multiple Software Suites
Number two sort of ties in with the above reason. If you find that you have to use different Software platforms to achieve what you want, it may be time to consider switching providers.
Having more than one Software suite can lead to all sorts of problems. Whether it be compatibility issues, multiple data entry, or even cost, it’s sure to drag down your business. Throw in the time needed to learn all the suites and switch from one to another, and you’ve got yourself a real doozy.
Not to mention, all the switching increases the risk of errors and frustration. So if you want to avoid errors and frustration, maybe it’d be a good idea to find an all-in-one software solution.
3) Using Fear as a Motivator
This is probably among one of the worst ways to manage your company. Fear as a motivator, while it may temporarily provide a boost, will create an uncomfortable work environment. The constant pressure will lead employees to take the safe option as opposed to the best option.
Not only that, the uncomfortable atmosphere will compel your workers to find a job elsewhere. Leaving you with a diminishing work force that, more than likely, despise your very existence. And that could lead to some pretty unwanted events.
Which provides a pretty decent segway onto our next item on the list.
4) Not Praising Your Employees
It is important that you recognize and honor the achievements of your employees. Praise works as a solid motivator. After all, praise comes in more than just a paycheck.
With added praise, you not only make your workers feel better, but you also create a more positive environment. This creates a higher expectation in a positive manner and people tend to do better when more is expected of them. This is also known as the Pygmalion Effect.
So go compliment the employee’s shoe laces, tell them they have nice smiles, let them know that the country music they’re playing is only mildly annoying as opposed to outrageously infuriating. Let them know.
5) Not Valuing Your Employees
This one goes hand in hand with #4. Employees loved to feel valued, like they play a pivotal role in your company. And they do. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have hired them in the first place.
But that often gets overlooked. If the company was able to build an impressively large house of cards, you deserve to share in the triumph knowing your role was just as crucial as the one building it: not ruining it.
It’s important for the well-being of everyone that you listen to your employees’ voices and opinions. Help them feel that their thoughts are valued. Even if they do belong to that group of people whose sneeze can be heard from the other room. Value them.
6) Not Organizing the Company
Perhaps it’s because we hate having mismatched color schemes and hearing someone pop bubble wraps within the office, but as a company, we value organization and the lack of chaos. And here’s why you should to:
Company organization keeps the workflow, well, flowing. Without it, you run the risk of having obstructions, leading to delays, confusion, and more employees blasting country music (but hey, maybe you enjoy that).
The point is, a well structured company gets things done on time. And unless you spend the time to decide on specific roles, policies, and decor, don’t expect too much progress.
7) Slow Communication
Ever been kept on hold for a good 45 minutes, only to be told that your inquiry can’t be processed? It makes you want to use this: 
, doesn’t it?
A majority of us have been in that situation and it’s absolutely killer for business. There aren’t a whole lot of things that’ll cost you a client than keeping them waiting. That’s why slow communication is a terrible, terrible feature.
Speed up the communication between everyone in and out of the company. The faster you get things done, the better it is for everyone and the less you’ll receive.
8) Not Offering Opportunities for Growth
Imagine if seeds could never grow. Never mind the fact that we’d have a global crisis due to the fact that we’d suffer severe famine. The seeds themselves would feel very stifled with little hope for the future.
And that’s how your employees may feel if you don’t offer any opportunities for growth or development, minus the whole global crisis and famine deal.
Many workers are looking to move up in the field, reaching higher positions and recognition. These opportunities for growth serve as a reminder that employees are rewarded for loyalty and effort. Prevent them from growing, and you best bet that they’ll find a job where growth is offered.
9) Not Tracking Efficiency Rates
How will you know if the latest marketing project has brought in success or flopped over completely? Well, the surge of new customers might be a good indicator, but we digress.
Tracking efficiency rates, how well something is going, is a great way to check up on progress. It doesn’t even limit itself to marketing. You can track sales, customer support, article quality, and even the amount of pizza slices someone has eaten.
Plus, there’s software for all this that does it automatically. Meaning, you won’t have to crunch all those numbers to figure out the caloric intake of a whole large pizza.
These are just a few of the worst ways to manage your company. Like we mentioned in the beginning, embezzlement is one. Setting your building on fire would be another. What we’re getting at is: there are plenty of other methods to ruin a company.
Let us hear your stories.
