Last year, I blogged about how Tesco boss Dave Lewis sent thousands of his staff, including senior executives, back to the supermarket shop floor as part of plan to woo back disgruntled customers. Lewis emailed 4,000 staff to work one day a fortnight in stores in the run-up to Christmas in an initiative dubbed ‘Feet on the Floor’.
It now appears that David Potts, new boss of Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket chain Morrisons, is following suit.
Whilst the article and video don’t say whether Potts will spend time on the shop floor – I am sure he will if he has the time to do so – but he is showing the importance of staying connected.
Managers in ANY business need to get out there and talk to their teams, work alongside them, keep abreast if operational developments and issues and be there to guide when needed.
This practice has become known as ‘Managing by Walking Around’ – MBWA. Done well, it delivers significant benefits in terms of approachability, trust, morale, productivity, accountability and business awareness.
Here are 5 Top Tips to effectively use the MBWA approach in the workplace:-
1. Relax!
People can sense when you are being genuine and casual and they will respond accordingly.
Stiff, formal, uneasy conversation will probably lead to equally rigid responses!
2. Listen more than talk
Actively listen to your people. If they feel you are really interested and hearing them, then you will come across as more sincere.
Two ears, one mouth, is the golden rule.
Listening is key for Paul if you watch the video.
3. Wander around equally
Don’t spend more time in one department or section than another. And you shouldn’t always talk to the same people or to people with certain jobs. You need to be seen as approachable by everyone, regardless of their title or position.
4. Meet ‘out and about’
Instead of having all your meetings in an office, meet your people in their work areas and ‘on their turf.’ This will put people at more ease.
You need to clearly communicate your expectations and needs so that everyone knows what you want.
5. Be open and honest
If you can’t answer a question, say so, then find out and follow up.
If some information can’t be shared yet, then say so. Telling half-truths or guessing will only break down trust.
Do you or your company practice the MBWA method?
If so, do share the outcome and response to it with us all!
If want more useful tips about how to effectively include MBWA in your business or for any other useful management tips from experts at Creativedge, visit the new, free, Creativedge ‘Top 10 Tips’ App available for iPhone, Android and Windows smartphones:-
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/top-10-tips/id796349890?mt=8
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