ThePeopleAlchemist Edit: HR, Business and new managers – how do you support a new manager

It comes a time in the life of an entrepreneur/small business owner where growth leads to more staff and the consequent need to have someone else helping with managing staff.

New managers must know all about the day-to-day nuts and bolts of their role as managers of a department/team. However, being a functional expert and having had perhaps long(er) service doesn’t necessarily mean this knowledge exists.

People who have not managed employees before can run into difficulties. For example, staff that needs consistent motivation and direction. And conducting appraisals. Or preparing budgets.

Small companies need to be even more on point with developing and supporting new managers because there is more visibility and impact on the business if they don’t. This does not mean a necessarily colossal investment of cash or time. Just some creativity.

So, how do you support a new manager?

Thanks to technological changes, it is now possible to access learning via social media platforms and build a network you can call on and get the knowledge you need very quickly. Furthermore, with the almost ubiquitous smartphones and tablets, we also have at our disposal the nearly perfect environment for pieces of e-learning (games, small bites of audio/video, etc.). And the staff could tap into it whenever it suits or it is needed when they need it.

The excellent “On-Time Manager” book series from Ken Blanchard is an excellent resource for new managers. Convenient and helpful mini-guides.