An effective operations manager definitely contributes directly to the success of an organization. No matter what kind of operations manager you are – a shift manager at a hotel or resort, school administrator, golf course superintendent, recreational facility manager – or something else, basically there is one thing that you are asked to do: to make sure that all customer service standards get met. However, in order to be able to accomplish this there are some specific skills that must be possessed by an effective operations manager. The following are 10 traits that successful operation supervisors have. How many of these do you have?
- Understands The Needs Of Customers
In order to be successful, an operations manger must deeply acknowledge and know what the needs of their customers are. That requires understanding what is a true measurement of customer satisfaction. It might be responding immediately to customer inquiries, having a fair price assurance or a safe environment. When you know what needs to be done to make your customers satisfied and happy, then you can make connections with them and offer your subordinates with guidance on how to care for the needs of your customers.
- Communicates In An Effective Manner
Effective operations managers understand how to communicate effectively on a number of various levels with all types of people. Having the ability to get your messages through to superiors, staff, and most important of all, your customers is an absolutely essential skill that will be tested every day. When a wide range of communication vehicles are used, including body language, written and verbal techniques, it allows you to establish good rapport with everyone.
- Understands The Financial Performance Of The Organization
Operations managers have a direct responsibility to contribute to the financial performance of their organizations. A successful operations manager will know how to analyze balance sheets and profit & loss statements as well as prepare expense budgets and sales projections. In order to simplify the financial projection creation process, an efficient operations managers will use business planning software. That allows for a comprehensive series of financial charts, reports and projects to be generated in a shorter amount of time.
- Motivates The Team
Unless employees are motivated, not much gets done at organizations. A successful operations manager understands how important it is to build a strong team and for positive relationships to be developed among the members of the team. That can be accomplished through understanding and addressing the personal concerns and needs of your staff members.
- Measures And Tracks Staff Performance
Setting work objectives for each member of your team is essential as is having the ability to measure their project. It is critical for an operations manager to be able to establish certain measurements that will inform your staff on how they are performing compared to the goal. That will provide a clear base for staff development in addition to employee recognition. When individual personnel performance is measured and tracked it also provides feedback to help focus on success factors and issues that can help to improve the overall performance of the organization. An effective operations manager can use human resource software to streamline the processes of getting performance goals set, evaluating employees and keeping certification information and up-to-date training maintained.
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