TURN YOUR STAFF INTO SUPERSTARS

Ensure your team members become top performers.

Let’s look ahead to your brand new business and how you can ensure your

team members become top performers.

So, you’ve bought a franchise. It’s so very exciting. You finally get to be your own boss; but wait, you’re now also someone else’s boss. That’s exciting too, and you plan to do this right, right? Not to make the same mistakes your old bosses made. You will have a well-functioning team who love coming to work every day and your product is just going to run out the door. Hmmm, where’s the manual for that in the franchise guide?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve had your franchise for a week or for years – the key to leading your people is the same. Think about when you were an employee and what you wanted from your boss and the company you worked for. Apart from the million zillion dollars I’m sure you were worth, what was it that was important to you? It really is all about your company culture. And who drives that culture?

Well, that’s you. Yes guys, it starts at the top. And despite what they say it’s not that hard. But like everything in business it does need the investment of your time.

Based on our experience, here’s our road map for how to get the culture you want.

LEAD BY EX AMPLE

Is there anything more annoying than being told by your boss to do something when they are doing the complete opposite? It’s like the “do as I say, not as I do” rule with children. It doesn’t win any fans. Far better to take the approach of one lawyer/business owner I know. He has a team of 15 but every week, rain, hail or shine he empties the bins and puts out the garbage. He also sweeps the front entrance to the building every morning. He expects his team to roll up their sleeves and they do, because he does. Take this opportunity to have a look in the mirror and see what you are not doing or could be doing to lead the way for your team. And check that what you are asking them to do is in fact something you would do.

I know, I know – you thought when you became the boss you wouldn’t have to do that stuff. It’s time for a rethink!

A C U LT U R E O F E N C O U R A G E M E N T

If you don’t want to have to do everything forever by yourself, you will want to create a culture of encouragement. This means you must first give permission for others to do the tasks you have employed them to do, knowing they will do them differently to you, and to allow them to fail and learn just like you did. This sounds easy, but we have known many a boss who won’t let go for fear that it just won’t be done properly. If this sounds like you, you may need to invest some time both into breaking down your tasks and in training your team to complete them. What remains from there is for you to coach and cheerlead the team along the way, setting the scene for a workplace full of encouragement (remember, leading by example).

BE THE BOSS

Our next point has been many a boss’ downfall. Don’t be your team’s best friend; be their boss. This seems to be the perennial mistake of many business owners: trying to be friends on FB or Insta; going out for Friday night drinks that turn into Saturday morning and then trying to command respect on Monday. It just doesn’t work like that. Keep your distance. Yes, have a group FB page where you can share information, wins, losses and shout-outs to fabulous work. But keep your socialising to your own friends. Otherwise you run the risk of having, or being seen to have, “favourites” and everyone else feels out of the loop, then the grumbles begin. Or even worse, you share company information, your personal opinion on other staff or your franchisor and the next minute you’re in hot water.

EXPL AIN YOUR WHY

This last point requires you to take a step back from where you now sit. Explain your why. We have seen many good ideas go down the gurgler because of lack of employee buy-in. You may know the catch cry that helps build your brand, sticks in your customers’ memory and brings back that awesome repeat custom we all want. But do your team know that? Do they understand your why and how it impacts them? So, figure this out. If you can’t explain your why, then perhaps you need to change it. Just because you’ve “always done it this way” doesn’t mean you have to keep on doing it.

And just as you sell your why on the little things, don’t forget to sell your dream. Not everyone has shared, knows or understands your journey. If you can sell your dream and inspire your team to sell for you, your product will run out the door. If you’re struggling with this, try to remember why you started your business in the beginning, the journey so far – all those firsts, moments of doubt and triumphs. Write them down and share them with your team. Help them to understand you and your vision and they will become the biggest advocates for your brand.

Creating a winning culture is within your grasp. You are the boss. You have to lead, share and encourage your team to follow you. It’s all up to you.

Tegan Rose & Lee-Anne Hunt are HR

Dept franchisees. They have over 20 years experience in HR, change, learning and development, and communications.