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Learning from Entrepreneurs,
by Timothy Schneider,
Publisher, Association News
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Los
Angeles, CA – December 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / As association executives
know, there are many moving parts when it comes to running an organization,
which is why it’s crucial to take the time to check in on whether their
association staff members are engaged and reaching their full potential—a
topic Steven Hacker discusses in depth
beginning
on page 24. Another point of view on the topic comes from Michael Houlihan
and Bonnie Harvey, who started Barefoot Cellars in the laundry room of
a rented Sonoma County farmhouse and grew it into one of America’s top
wine brands. Crediting their success to their dedicated employees, Houlihan
and Harvey frequently consult with organizations and have recently authored
a book titled “The Entrepreneurial Culture.”
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 Here
are their top six suggestions for establishing and strengthening entrepreneurial
cultures:
Don’t
skimp on training. In order to save time, employees are often ushered
in, given a quick tour and rundown of benefits and then expected to get
right to work. But this minimalist approach can have counterproductive
consequences. Houlihan and Harvey believe that investing time in making
sure employees know not only the “whats” but also the “whys” can produce
long-term benefits.
Delegate
effectively. Leaders can start by handing over tasks and projects that
employees can do or can almost do without additional input. Trust their
expertise and encourage them to ask for help when they’ve run into a roadblock.
Let
information flow freely. At Barefoot, Houlihan and Harvey advocated
a “know-the-need” approach instead of a “need-to-know” policy. One way
to keep the information flowing freely is through maintaining transparency.
This includes sharing both good and bad news. The authors recommend being
honest about the challenges an organization is facing and asking the entire
staff for solutions. This keeps employees engaged and reinforces the idea
that everyone is on the same team.
Don’t
wait for perfectly sunny conditions. Conditions will never be perfect
for any idea or initiative so an organization may need to settle for “mostly
sunny with a chance of showers” or even “light drizzle,” write Houlihan
and Harvey. The timing may not be exactly right, but employees should always
feel like they can propose ideas and move forward on projects.
Never
waste a perfectly good mistake. The most innovative and agile organizations
embrace mistakes. It’s important to investigate how and why an error occurred
so that faulty processes can be fixed. Employees should not feel afraid
to report their mistakes. Instead, leaders should encourage staffers to
focus on how to prevent the problem from recurring.
Say
thank you. It may seem simple, but showing a little gratitude goes
a long way. By showing employees that their hard work has not gone unnoticed,
leaders will gain their loyalty and enthusiasm. According to Houlihan and
Harvey, acknowledgment and validation of stellar performance breeds more
of it. On behalf of everyone who works to bring you Association
News, we would like to thank you for your readership and support.
Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a successful year ahead!
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 Timothy
Schneider is the publisher of Association
News and SportsTravel
magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating
106 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider
Publishing also organizes Meetings
Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting
planners, and the TEAMS Conference
& Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers.
TEAMS '15 is being held in Las Vegas, November 9–12, 2015. For further
information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free
877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the United States.
The
current issue of Association
News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking
here.
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Media
Contact:
Timothy
Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider
Publishing Company, Inc. |
