Hello,

My business concerns have not been able to move forward for a while because I have just about reached the limit of what I can do myself. I have so many well-researched ideas but can't really find the time to execute them properly. This means I need people to help me. However, I don't think I have what it takes to manage employees.

Do you have any tips, ideas, principles, et cetera that will help me with employing Nigerians and managing them?

(I employed a computer science graduate a few months ago, but I released him after a week for telling a lie)

Thanks a million.

Seun,
Try to be patience with people and always take them and love them as you love yourself, by so doing u see you will manage them very well.

hi seun, i dont know the criteria you use in employing people but the fact is that your organisation should function in such a way that specific functions and tasks are mapped out for your employees. as people meet the target you'll know and if theres default from anyone of them, action or memo should be meted out. To a reasonable extent, the check in the system will help you out on the best way to manage that resource(humans). moreover try and make the working environment encouraging for them

interesting

There is no "trick" to managing people. You have to evaluate others on the criteria of the the profession you are hiring them for. I do not want to seem like I am generalising, but sometimes nigerians are not the best people to work with UNLESS if you have known them for some years, and know what they are capable of doing. Another thing, if u are prayerful. It may be helpful to fast on this issue, and God may grant you your request

Seun, I would advise you build a system that takes every possible unit/action into consideration and create healthy checks and balances. Create rules that should be communicated to all the staff of your firm. Take a second look at your vision, your mission and your strategies. See how you can make these into a compelling motivational tool. Managing people has always been the most difficult part of running a firm but other people have done it successfully.

I am an Admin/HR specialist. If u decide to do business with me, you can reach me: eagleroland@yahoo.co.uk. All d best!

freespirit:
your organization should function in such a way that specific functions and tasks are mapped out for your employees. as people meet the target you'll know and if theres default from anyone of them, action or memo should be meted out.

What sort of action can I take when an employee doesn't meet his/her targets? Can I deduct from his/her salary?

naijacutee:

If you read a book like "7 habits of Highly Effective People",
I could send you a copy of the e-book if you want. It answers your question very accurately.

Thanks. You can post it as an attachment. If it's too large, you can host it at www.sendspace.com.

sometimes Nigerians are not the best people to work with UNLESS if you have known them for some years

Really? Wouldn't it be a mistake to hire friends because familiarity might get in the way of business?

olijo:
Take a second look at your vision, your mission and your strategies.
See how you can make these into a compelling motivational tool.

Tell me more. Do you think a honest organizational mission like "to make lots of cool profit" will work?

And how can I motivate people to do what they are supposed to do, knowing how unreliable Nigerians can be?

@ Seun

Just use the law of selfish interest. the favourite radio station WII-FM. (What's-in-it-for-me?)

You have to organise a system that rewards the efficient/effective people, however please try to understand what actually motivates them. For a lot of Nigerians, it is money, others recognition, while time out (e.g. a paid trip to a resort etc) would suffice for others,

This should encourage the performers and create envy in the under-achievers, who'll either leave or buckle up.

Just my 2 cents

in one of the places i worked, we took a personality questionnaire.
the questionaire(if answered honestly) provided a guide to the person's work traits/habits.

completer finisher
shaper
chairman
plant

i ve forgotten the rest of them. if you can develop a scientific method of assessing potential employees,half of your problem is solved.actually, i think you can find some online, though i won't claim to know where you can find them.

another issue is 'buy in'.how you'll do it, i don't know, but you have to make your employees feel that the success of the biz should be as important to them as it is to you.

@ Seun.
There are various ways of managing people.
As a manager you know the kind of people you want around you; be they creative people, loyal,
I have managed people and still do, and 'cos my company isnt like any of the big telcos, banks, i employ street tactics!!
Yes! not area boi style but actually getting involved wiv operations.

Truth be told man, the Nairaland portal you have created has allowed ppl open up their inner inhibitions. In the job section u see ppl looking for top notch job vacancies even with a third class. Thats the sign of the tymes!!

You need to go MAKAVELLIAN on they asses dude. (Google dat)
You've invested tyme and money and so wat u need to do is protect ur investment. I'd advise yout to pray over your investment and ask God to send good people your way.
Having said all dat remember not to pay PEANUTS cos u'll get MONKEYS; no matter how educated they are.

I'm assuming your company aint dat large tho!!

you dont ve to b a lord over them.
but just be a friend.

keep ur friends close. but keep ur enemies closer.

I guess you are a work-addict and it takes people of your calibre to work effectively and understandably with you. But since it's not always easy getting like-minded people,  so you've got to work on them, make them realise your mission, targets and your expectations from them! Probably have a weekly task schedule given to each of them (we have a similar thing here in my office for each unit).If you care to have a look at it, i can send a draft across).

And most importantly be interested in their welfarism. Show interest in their personal needs.

A good leader learns to reproduce him/herself, so learn to tolerate and work on them, and you'll be surprise at the outcome eventually and this implies you've got to be patient as well. [color=#006600][/color]

Frankly speaking human management is not easy at all but a good administrator ought to be Pshycologically informed
during interview watch out for certain behaviour or actions from ur would-be employee,
temperament,gestures the blinking of eyes, some facial expressions,speech manerism and some psycological questions you ask ass well as theoritical and practical tests before employment will give immense help in fishing out the right employee.

However be an example to some extent if you have the technical know-how.
Also dont be too harsh from some of ur resposes you sound somehow mean.Be mean and mild depending on situations.
Try as much as possible to correct with brotherly or love and dont give room for laxity.

Just my opinion

OlowoTee:

A good leader learns to reproduce him/herself, so learn to tolerate and work on them. [color=#006600][/color]

I thinks that's the best advice you could ever get, 'cept don't stifle creativity and originality on your employees' part. You need to allow them space to use their own initiative.

check out this site it will be of great help

http://www.accel-team.com

This is why I don't have much interest in business.
I might strangle my employees with my bare hands

babyosisi:

This is why I don't have much interest in business.
I might strangle my employees with my bare hands

CHINEKE E!

Seun, I feel your plight.

I also am an entrepreneur and have seen my staff numbers explode in the 3-4 months we have been in operations. Before setting up on my own, i had never managed a staff team before and boy oh boy did I get a shock!

Basically everything went belly up and it has the potential to kill your business hence I had to do something. A book was recommend to me called 'The rules of management by Richard Templar' and one of the best things I got from the book is the following statement;

The good manager, and that is you from now on, knows that they manage events, processes, situations, strategies but never people.

To me thats a revelation right there and I'm still working through the book and trying some of the ideas on my people and so far so good so I definitely recommend it.

Good luck dude

I'm meditating on your management tips, guys/girls. Thanks!

@viee: relax, babyosisi is just exaggerating.

@cream2: how can I manage events, processes, situations and strategies but not people? I'm confused.

My interpretation of his ideas is that if we properly guide/instruct/delegate to our people, we wont need to manage them because they will know what needs to be done and do it*

*But of course this assumes in the first place we have chosen the right staff and they are motivated appropriately 

Hmmm. How can a small business owner choose the right employees in the Nigerian environment?

Managing people! have learnt is the worst thing to manage ^{thats after money}
Employ'g people has to side you : being a boss and a collegue and they: learn to work with you has a person/boss( your style). It's true that you don't easily get people of like mind esp'y when you are a workaholic or have never worked at a semi mgt level (where you have subs and bosses).

But the part you can work on the the one you can conrol that is "you"
i second you reading "7 habits of Highly Effective People", and would also recommend How To Win Friends And Influence People-By Dale Carneige [url]http://www.mindjuicezine.com/resc.html#Free%20ebooks[/url]

You see if you understand the basic of how to deal with different people and your attitude then put in place a black and white, structured "standard operating procedure" and "job description".
After you choose the person to employee take them through the documentation and be sure they know and understand what you expect from them.

Forget school degrees when it come to work'g effeciently or effectively there is more to it and only few have it!

Seun:

Hmmm. How can a small business owner choose the right employees in the Nigerian environment?

By know what you want and not settling for less. I mean:
1. list your requirement and understand them,
2. When sourcing for people look for the key things for the job- e.g front desk( can communicate effectively , good phone voice, looks presentable and bla bla bla!)
3. Give them conditons like short term contracts with strict measures. I call it prove yourself ^(probation) period -" No "friends& family" contract in biz
4 . State your expectation clearly and keep to ur side of the bargain

Getting the right man might take time and some trails. Small biz mean you have less money to toy with so open ur eyes ears and everything openable

haba Seun, are you saying that our people are that bad??!!

.

I really think it would be a good idea if you walk into a bookshop (ie laterna in Oko Awo Close, V.I.) an purchase a book on the topic. Its your investment, and you've got to know everything you have to do to protect it.
Educate your mind on the issue.

cream2:

haba Seun, are you saying that our people are that bad??!!

i tire oh

but seriously managing people is serious business i dnt knw much, but ill say manage them as you would want to be managed if you happen 2 be an employee

haba Seun, are you saying that our people are that bad??!!

I fee that our people are unreliable. I call it the "NEPA effect". They will constantly disappoint me!

Which means u must constantly be ready and ahead of their plans. I tell u my brother, the tactics of politics and war  can really be helpful.

My advice is this, people can only dissapoint you within the limits of what the can do(thoughts). By  being ahead of' em and probably contemplating their eevry possible  move ,u can check the situation.. Always be at least 6 months or 1 year ahead of em in thoughts and strategies(Physical,Intellectual & Spiritual.)

ITS ABOUT PLANNING & RE PLANNING WITHOUT MAKING UR ACTIONS TOO APPARENT AND STILL HOPING THINGS GO WELL.

Hello Seun,

There are many ways to manage a worker that he/she working in your Company, Before you can employ anybody

to your business either One man Business, Plc or Ltd, one thing you need to do is this, you will look at the

standard of the Company and the goods produce or any other thing produce from the company, the demand from the

market and competition from other companies, all this will tell you if you need somebody to help you at the same time

the demand of the good in the market will show if you are capable of paying him/her at the end of the month, and morover you learn how to do business on risk.

thank you Seun.