Just 'walk around': Give it a try

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Bikky Khosla | 29 May, 2012
If you run a small enterprise, it's not easy at all to blanket all the costs, particularly while establishing or expanding your business. You may have to dip into your pockets, run from pillar to post for loans, and still struggle to keep your head above water. That's why resources must be used wisely. Most small firms never miss this point as far as their financial resources are concerned, but when it comes to human resources many fail to make the best use of their employees in order to minimize cost.

Here, I think management by walking around (MBWA) can be a very useful strategy. Small business owners may find it too costly to hire specialized managers for every department, and this in turn requires them to actively engage themselves in day-to-day business activities, often by establishing interpersonal contacts with the employees -- the very idea on which MBWA is primarily based.

Theoretically, MBWA refers to a style of business that involves the owner or managers wandering around, in an unstructured manner, and at random through the workplace. The objective is to keep a finger on the pulse of the organization to check employees and the status of their work. Introduced in a 1982 book "In Search of Excellence", of course, it's an old idea, but I think it's still relevant even in today's world of business where information can move at the speed of light.

So, why should you bother to regularly tour your office building or the warehouse! Firstly, itâs because youâre doing the job of a few managers, or at least saving a few valuable bucks by doing that. Secondly, by actively engaging yourself in the day-to-day activities of your business, you can get yourself aware of what is going on. Thirdly, as you go out yourself, you step over the communication barriers that stand between you and your people. No filters, no sugar-coating and you can see the reality.

Having said that my point is that there's nothing to lose and much to gain a small business owner can hope by practising MBWA. But a note of caution: the concept shouldn't be applied to spy on your employees but as an opportunity to observe, see problems up close, and listen to suggestions. Neither it's merely about letting others see you walking around -- you must be honest with yourself. And finally, be friendly and don't rush it -- it will take time to get the employees talking about whatâs actually going on. Start with everyday questions only, and then move forward.

Management by walking around still makes sense for today's businesses, especially small enterprises because it is cost-effective, easy to administer, and its benefits are proven. At the heart of it should be a mental exercise to communicate directly with employees, make them feel appreciated, motivate them, and uncover the hidden problems. It's worth giving MBWA a try.