| Credentials Don't Solve Business Problems, | | | | ignore improving upon the company's pre-existing |
| Problem-Solvers Do | | | | business model. For example: an out-of-the-box |
| Some of the smartest people you meet may have | | | | thinker, in the course of their work would say, "wait |
| credentials, and some may not have credentials. How | | | | a minute, there is a better way to handle this |
| many times have you met someone who has a | | | | situation when it arises again..." instead of saying, |
| degree/credential in one area, but is working in the | | | | "well, that's not my job and I'm not paid to think |
| complete opposite field? A hundred years ago, higher | | | | about how to improve this business, it's not my |
| levels of education were available to the rich, | | | | responsibility." Most people that think like this feel like |
| predominantly. In today's corporate arena, it is almost | | | | they have no duty to improve the business because |
| unheard of to hire someone that has no college | | | | improving the business will do them no good. On the |
| degree. This shift has caused individuals to seek out | | | | contrary, I have worked in a company where good |
| degrees instead of learning how to solve real-life | | | | ideas are recognized and rewarded with |
| problems in the business world. | | | | compensation in the form of a bonus. |
| Some of the smartest "business decision-makers" | | | | HR may assist in the administration of hiring, but only |
| have little or no credentials. Many of these are small | | | | you know what and who is the best fit to obtain the |
| business owners that are solving real business | | | | position, and my guess, it's the person that sees |
| problems on a daily basis without the 'latest and | | | | beyond their own box. |
| greatest' credentials offered by the professional | | | | Management By Walking Around |
| world. Just how important are the small business | | | | Managers/Owners of a business can greatly benefit |
| owners? The statistics give a more accurate | | | | by this style: managing by walking around. Do a lot of |
| depiction of this point. Consider the Small Business | | | | professionals know about this style? Yes. Is it |
| Administration's statistic on private firms; small | | | | practiced as much as it should? Probably not. The |
| businesses provide jobs for over half of the nation's | | | | most likely reason is because managers may think, |
| private workforce, and small businesses are job | | | | 'since the business world has gone mostly to |
| creators accounting for over 99% of all firms | | | | electronic communication, walking around and giving |
| (sba.gov). | | | | "face-time" is inefficient and time consuming so why |
| Just think in your own mind, how many of those | | | | not send out a mass email to those that work under |
| small business owners have great and recognized | | | | me?" Thinking this way will not only make your clients |
| degrees/credentials. Most of the successful small | | | | feel neglected and as if your time is more valuable |
| business owners I know have no credentials and are | | | | than theirs, it will also create an environment of less |
| well off. When hiring someone, it is not always best | | | | accountability because you're never seen by your |
| to hire someone that has the credentials, rather, hire | | | | employees. |
| someone that can solve real business problems and | | | | In the long run, ignoring employees will yield unhappy |
| offers solutions. | | | | employees. |
| Hire problem-solvers! | | | | Unhappy employees will yield no passion for their |
| Mistake: Not Hiring Out Of The Box Thinkers | | | | work. |
| This point holds especially true when a business | | | | No passion for their work will yield poor work |
| needs to grow. Don't get me wrong though, all | | | | product. |
| growing companies will need in-the-box thinkers to | | | | Poor work product will eventually lead to the downfall |
| handle the monotonous tasks that need to be | | | | of the company. |
| completed in everyday business activities. However, | | | | No company means, no job and no paycheck. Trying |
| most often overlooked by hiring managers are the | | | | to please everyone is impossible, but managing by |
| out-of-the-box thinkers that cannot only perform the | | | | walking around sure does help. |
| job required, but a step further as well. A step | | | | Solution: come out from behind the keyboard and at |
| further says that when business is transacted, all | | | | a minimum, be "seen" by employees and customers. |
| business activity is subject to improving upon. In our | | | | For greatness to be achieved, management must |
| global economy, growing businesses cannot afford to | | | | provide an environment of greatness. |