Home Library Translate
A A A
Share »
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on LinkedIn
Connect »

Blog: Supervision

Menu

  • This Blog's Home
  • Guest Writer Submissions
  • Policies
  • To Subscribe to a Blog
  • About
  • Feedback

When Times Are Tough What Do You Do?

By Marcia Zidle on February 21, 2012

Our company is going through some hard times because of the economic uncertainty. We are tightening our belt and trying not to lay off our folks, but we may be forced to. How do we make the best of a bad time for our business?

It is easier to be open with employees when the news is good. When business realities get more difficult, many managers tend to adopt a bunker mentality, developing strategy behind closed doors as employee anxiety mounts, trust declines and rumors fly. Than you have a real morale problem and the potential of productivity going down and customer complaints going up.

Even bad news has the potential of strengthening the relationships with your present and future employees, when communicated clearly and effectively. Here’s how

1. Communicate widely, honestly and often.
Tell employees about the hardships facing the company. It is likely that they have already sensed the situation, but it is important that they hear the news directly from management.. Acknowledging and discussing the company’s position is the first step to keeping people involved and thus committed to solving problems they understand.

2. Fill in information gaps for your employees.
If layoffs become necessary, people won’t be shocked if they have been able to see them coming. Constantly update your people through emails, voice mails, face-to-face meetings and even webcasts. In times of uncertainty, no news is NOT good news.

3. Give the most pressing information first.
When the question on every one’s mind is, “Is there bad news ahead?” let them know. Then the second question is “What about me?” Provide honest communication even to say, we don’t know, but will let you know as soon as possible. And then do that.

4. Tell employees that they are appreciated.
Reinforce that they are valued, and that they will play a vital part in the organization’s future success. Increase motivation and recognition efforts.

5. Realize that good news is important too.
Don’t get so bogged down in the negative that you forget to pass on the good. Long-term success follows a series of smaller “wins,” and announcing these wins as they occur will help rebuild employee confidence and encourage them to continue to be productive.

Management Success Tip:

Employees need leadership at this time. They want to know where the company is going, how it’s going to get there, and what is needed from them so that they can get immediately on board. Don’t wait until the plan is perfect – it never is. You can say right now this is what we need to do and management will keep you informed of changes. And don’t forget to thank them again for their work and commitment.

Do you want to develop your Management Smarts?

  • Build your skills with The Effective Manager.
  • Sign up for Quick Wins: 101 Management Tips.
  • Find performance boosters in the Smart Moves Blog.
  • Fast track your leadership. Be part of a Success Team.
  • Need a speaker? Get the Edge keynotes-webinars-workshops.
  • Copyright © 2012 Marcia Zidle business and leadership coach.
    « Previous Next »

    Search Our Site

    Meet the Blog’s Co-Hosts

    Carter McNamara of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, provides organization development and consultant training services, and is developer of the Free Management Library. [Read more ...]


    Marcia Zidle, a certified career strategist and business coach, works with high potential, high impact executives, managers and professionals to advance their careers and grow their leadership capabilities. [Read more ...]

    Categories of Posts

    • Basics and Overviews
    • Coaching
    • Delegating
    • employee communication
    • Employee Motivation
    • Employee Recruitment
    • Employee Staffing
    • Feedback With Employees
    • General Resources
    • Management Effectiveness
    • Organizing Employees
    • Performance Management
    • Roles and Responsibilities
    • Skills Required
    • Team Building
    • Training Employees
    • Uncategorized

    Recent Blog Posts
    Alternate Recent Posts Widget

    • How Good Are Your Management Skills? Part 2
    • How Good Are Your Management Skills? Part 1
    • Wearing the Same Shirt Doesn’t Make a Winning Team
    • Three Strategies to Connect and Engage Employees
    • Do Some Rules Need To be Broken?

    Related Library Topics

    • Coaching
    • Employee Performance
    • Group Skills
    • Human Resources
    • Mentoring
    • Policies (Personnel)

    Library's Blogs

    • Boards of Directors
    • Building a Business
    • Business Communications
    • Business Ethics, Culture and Performance
    • Business Planning
    • Career Management
    • Coaching and Action Learning
    • Consulting and Organizational Development
    • Crisis Management
    • Customer Service
    • Facilitation
    • Free Management Library Blogs
    • Fundraising for Nonprofits
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Marketing and Social Media
    • Nonprofit Capacity Building
    • Project Management
    • Quality Management
    • Social Enterprise
    • Spirituality
    • Strategic Planning
    • Supervision
    • Team Building and Performance
    • Training and Development
    About Feedback Legal Privacy Policy Contact Us
    Free Management Library, © Copyright Authenticity Consulting, LLC ®; All rights reserved.
    • Graphics by Wylde Hare LLC
    • Website maintained by Caitlin Cahill

    By continuing to use this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.X