Are you missing deadlines and getting bogged down with day-to-day tasks? Do you want to drive positive change in your organization but can’t seem to find the time?

If so, you're not alone. Many operational managers often find themselves scrambling to put out the latest fire. They spend a good deal of their day responding to demands from clients and staff – and accomplish little more than maintaining the status quo.

While there is no silver bullet, no blueprint for successful operational functionality that you can download from the internet, there are certain key steps you can take toward ensuring that yours is a well run, forward thinking operation.

Key #1 - Assess Your Resources

A careful review and understanding of your staff's capabilities will yield results down the road. Take time to learn their respective strengths. Doing so will allow you to cultivate success and avoid certain failure. Lean on them for subject matter expertise, make them part of the solution. Most importantly, share with them where you see the operation heading and explain how you, as a team, will get there. As they begin to understand their role and the value you place on it, they'll begin to step up and take increased responsibility for the success of the operation.

Key #2 – Communicate Often and Effectively

Open and transparent communication is the glue that will keep your team together and on target. Successful managers use a variety of ways to communicate with their team on a daily basis. Whatever the vehicle – project results, initiatives, emails, verbal communications – be clear and straightforward so they clearly convey the message you want to deliver. Be sure to follow up any time you’re asked a question. Even if the answer isn’t favorable, taking the time to respond shows you care about what’s important to your staff. Always explain “why” you are doing things and “what” you expect to achieve.

Key #3 – Adopt a “big picture” Strategy

Invest some time into understanding all aspects of your organization. Talk with other managers to get a feel for their jobs. Not only will you gain valuable insight, knowing what they do can be a great opportunity for synergy—which will benefit the business as a whole. What is happening in one department often has a bearing on another, so help ensure operational cohesion by regularly updating the entire organization.

Key #4 – Embrace Change

Be an agent for change. Take the initiative and exhibit the courage necessary to make changes, no matter how unpopular. When you make changes, do so in such a way that employees understand their purpose and can see their value. If you do, your organization will thrive because the staff will then drive the change, instead of you having to drag them through it.

Key #5 – Be Accessible and Confident

Be visible. Let your employees see you during the day. Don’t pigeon hole your ability to lead by getting trapped in your office, off limits to your team. Have confidence in your ability to lead, develop open channels of communication – and positive results will not be far behind.

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Keith Gibbons, Assistant Vice President Operations, is responsible for direction of the ABC-Amega's portfolios relating to first and third-party domestic collections. He also handles oversight of operational productivity, collection processes, procedures and quality assurance monitoring, staff development and systems analysis.

Previously, Keith served as Senior Director of Operations for Sykes Enterprises, Inc. directing call centers in Amherst, NY, Spokane, WA and Morrilton, AR. He has also held the position of Operations Manager, YRCW (Yellow Roadway Corporation Worldwide) Inc. and Collections Manager, NCO Financial Systems.

He holds a B.A. in Print Journalism from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

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This information is provided by ABC-Amega Inc. ABC-Amega is a respected receivable management firm headquartered in the United States with more than 80 years experience in commercial receivable management.

Whether your need is industry-specific credit information, transparent first party receivable collection support, third party commercial debt collection, or training in domestic or international collections, credit management or financial analysis, ABC-Amega offers a solution that will help you achieve improved efficiency, greater effectiveness, and increased cash flow.

For more information on ABC-Amega Inc., contact info@abc-amega.com or visit the company web site at www.abc-amega.com.