Introvert

Making an Excellent First Impression as an Introvert

Introvert Business, Introvert

 

When you meet someone new at work, you will probably react in the same way whether you are an introvert or extrovert. A shake of the hands, and few words of greeting and then move on to your job. However, that is not the case in many other work situations, such as meeting and gatherings. The extrovert will be a ‘people’ person, where the introvert will be the one that sits quietly on their own nursing their drink.

Bearing this in mind, how does an introvert make a good first impression?

Look Them In the Eye

This is exactly what an extrovert will do when they meet someone new, but an introvert will be looking anywhere other than the face. Imagine you need to know the color of their eyes and look straight at them. Give them a nice smile at the same time and you will appear to be much more confident than you are feeling inside.

Once you have made that initial contact, it will get easier to chat to them, but you should not start looking all over the place because you still feel a bit nervous. You should continue to look straight at them, although do not make it look like a stare.

Watch Your Body Language

There are some actions that will make you look doubtful and even hostile. Folding your arms or linking your hands both have this effect.  Instead, you should try to relax your shoulders, arms, and hands and then your whole posture will show that you trust the other person.

When you shake their hand, do it with firmness, as a weak handshake is said to show a weak personality.

This is a much better way for someone new to get a first impression of you.

Find Things In Common

Instead of relying on the usual business chitchat, ask something that is a bit more unusual to see if you can find things you may have in common. For instance, ask about their hobbies and see if you have any shared interests. If they are keen on making things you can let them know that you know how to make your own hoodie. If they want to travel the world, you can discuss some of the places you have been too, and see if they have already visited them too. It could be they love horses or reading, but with so many interests around, it can be quite easy to find a common factor somewhere.

The more things you find that you have in common the more you will relax and the conversation will flow without you having to make too much effort.

 

 

Imitate Their Gestures

This does not mean you should do this in a way a comedian would, to make fun of them. If they are slouching, for instance, you should not stand too straight and tall.  If they are speaking quickly, you do the same, just as you should slow down your speech if that is how they talk.

For an extrovert this is easy and they do these things without even thinking about it. For an introvert, they have to make a conscious effort but the results are that they can become more comfortable talking to a stranger.

Change Attitudes

An introvert is usually nervous about introducing themselves to new people, and the more important they perceive that person to be the worse the problem gets. You can interrupt the inner dialogue that makes you feel this way by standing in front of a mirror and repeating the same word over and over again. It should be something simple like nice or great, and you should say it in as many different voices and tones as you can muster.

Then when you meet someone for the first time, you start the process of repeating the word in your head. This interrupts the mindset of being nervous and helps you get through the worst few minutes of greeting a new acquaintance.

It Is Not Easy

None of these things are easy for an introvert to do and they can take a concerted effort. They need to be done if you want to be successful though and you can take heart from the fact the some of the best-known people are introverts. Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are two prime examples of introverts that have achieved success, and then from history, there are the likes of Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton who were the same.

Careers You’ve Probably Never Considered, And Why You Should

Introvert Career, Introvert

There are plenty of career choices out there, and some of them you just wouldn’t know about until you looked. If you’re a bit of an introvert, you may find some that some jobs look terrifying, but there are still unique careers out there that don’t involve standing in front of thousands of people and laying your extrovert personality on the table. We’ve looked for the best, and most unique, jobs out there, so that you can decide what you really want to do. And forget the stereotypes of some jobs only being for extroverts, because they can work out for anyone!

 

 

Professional pilot

Being a pilot is probably something that most people have dreamed about at some point. I mean, who doesn’t want to learn how to fly a plane? There are different levels to this, and you don’t have to learn how to fly commercial airplanes straight away. Nevertheless, signing up for a professional pilot program is the first step to securing you this unique (and awesome) career, and if you’re an introvert, it’s a job you’ll surely enjoy.

 

Art curator

There are many unique creative jobs out there, if you’d prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground. Yet being an art curator is certainly one of the the most unique choices you could make, as you get to put together exhibitions in art galleries, and decide what kind of work you want to show. Basically, anything the public see will be curated by you, but it’s still a great idea for an introvert who would rather just get on with their work. Sounds good, huh?

 

Freelancer

This is an introvert’s dream (no working in an office where you have to make small talk about what Sandra had for dinner last night, thank you). Freelancing can involve anything from writing for PR companies or blogs, and you can do it from anywhere with an internet connection. Not only does this mean that you’ll have a great deal of freedom over your work, but you can have freedom over where you are, too. Want to spend a week in Thailand? Cool, just take your laptop.

 

Counselor

Introverts are highly emotionally intelligent, and usually very sensitive to the needs of others. This makes them perfect counselors; you won’t have to speak to large groups of people, just one person who will open up to you. If you’re a good listener and you take an interest in the emotions of others, then this could be a great career choice for you. Don’t be put off by the amount of interaction with people; you’ll be creating meaningful relationships and helping people.

 

There are many career options that you may not have considered, and aren’t as daunting as you may have first believed. Being a pilot is a great idea for somebody who has always dreamed of a career in the skies, but art curating, freelancing, and counselling, are also great jobs for those who aren’t very extroverted. Of course, there are a variety of careers out there, and you’ll find the perfect one for you; don’t let being introverted hold you back!

Find Silence In Your Working Days By Cutting Your Phone Chord In The Following Ways

Introvert Introvert

 

As an introvert, you may never have thought that running a business would be for you. You were happy living the quiet life and letting other people make the decisions. The idea of taking control of a whole workforce petrified you. Then, you had a business idea you couldn’t ignore. Now, despite the odds, you’re bossing it in the business department. And, you don’t even lose sleep about it anymore.

Despite appearances, we introverts are suited to management roles. We’re sensitive to our teams and quiet enough to take other people’s suggestions on board. As such, you may find that success simply comes your way when you open yourself to it.

 

Even if you’ve come all this way, though, interaction-filled days may leave you feeling vulnerable. After endless phone calls, you might want nothing more than to rip that phone line out of the wall. It’s a real struggle for introverted entrepreneurs. That’s why we have some simple pointers which can ensure your phone stops ringing every second of the day.

Give customers all the information they need

Customers queries are probably your most common calls. While many of these will come through email, some still love the instant connection of a call. The best way to tackle this is to provide as much information as you can without needing to talk. On your website, offer thorough product descriptions. Include both an ‘about me’ and an FAQ page. That way, customers can get their answers without calling. That will ensure you don’t have to do quite so much talking during your days.

Provide detailed delivery instructions

 

If you have a delivery fleet, you may also receive calls from your drivers. They may need instructions through the day. They may also have queries about specific delivery drops. The best thing you can do to stop this would be to provide detailed instructions. By detailing directions and special instructions, you can rest easy that your drivers have everything they need. Doing this also has the benefit of reducing their risks of accidents. Many negligent truck driver claims come about as a result of distracted driving as couriers navigate unfamiliar routes. With the proper paperwork on board, you remove the risk of that and your ringing phone.

Take care of work delegation first thing

Even if you put external interruptions to bed, employees may call through to you with various queries throughout the day. This is a difficult thing to avoid as a good manager will always make themselves available. As such, you can’t stop your team from contacting you through the day. But, you can reduce the chances that they’ll need to by taking care of delegation first thing. When you arrive in the office, you’ll be fresh and rejuvenated. As such, you should be able to stand tall in a morning meeting and let your team know exactly what they should do. That way, you won’t need to deal with interactions when your cup is running on empty in the afternoon.

 

 

 

Insightful Reasons Why Your Business Isn’t Retaining The Best Staff

Introvert Business, Introvert

Your workers are the most valuable asset when it comes to your business. Yet, still, companies chose to cut investment in areas that could not only attract but also help to retain the best people for the job. Of course, this is something that can seriously affect your business chances of long-term success. Therefore it is worth reading my post below which can help you recruit and hold on to the best people.  

 

Your work environment is poor.

 

We often forget that the environment at work can have a massive effect on our lives. After all, it is the places we spend the majority of our day! What this means is that if your business environment or office is not up to scratch, it could be directly affecting the morale and the overall job satisfaction of your workers, and in some case be contributing to them leaving.

 

Luckily, there are some things that you can so about this. The first is pretty easy, and it’s to give your workplace a facelift. This means a coat of fresh paint on the walls, new furniture, and even a few plants if possible to make things more comfortable.

 

Of course, this is only a quick fix and to have a more lasting effect you do need to go into a little more detail. In particular, it can be useful to collect data on the MBTI of your workers with a quiz like the one at https://psychcentral.com and then tailor the working environment to better suit their needs. This is because often introverts and extroverts thrive in very different types of spaces.

 

 

 

In fact, those that register further along the more introverted side of the spectrum will nearly always prefer to have a private space in which they can retreat when then need to focus or process something. Alternatively, extroverts may do much better in an open plan environment, or even in a floating capacity where they get to interact with many different people during the day. In fact, matching people’s personalities with their work environment in this way is something that can help people feel much happier at work, reduce their stress levels, and will ultimately assist you with improving employee retention.  

 

Your recruitment process is lacking.

 

Your business may not be keeping the best staff because your initial recruitment process may not be up to scratch. What this means is that it’s impossible to keep the best people for the job, if you’re not getting the pick of the crop to start with.

 

 

Happily, there are some tactics you can use to improve your initial recruitment process, without scaring the best people off. First of all, asking them to complete an application form like the examples at www.totaljobs.com along with a detailed statement on why they want the job is a great idea, as this weeds out people that aren’t actually looking to work specifically for your business, and are just trying their luck at any place that will have them.

 

Secondly, including someone from upper management in the interview process is essential, as this will ensure that you can get a good skill and personality match for the role you are looking fill. To that end, it’s best not to allow agencies to take control of the process at this stage.

 

Lastly, to ensure you get the best people that will be well suited to your company and so have potential to stay for the long term you must give recruits the opportunity to ask questions, negotiate what they need as suggested at www.forbes.com, and see the business as it really is. Otherwise, you are just wasting their time, and they are likely to be much less satisfied once they get into the role, and so are more likely to leave your business for another employer.

 

You don’t offer enough benefits.

 

No one works for the sheer joy of it, and all of us have bills and responsibility that need paying every month. Therefore while the salary should not be the only thing that an employee considers, it is still important concerning retention.

 

 

 

What this means is that you need to offer the best salary and benefits package that you can possibly afford, if you want to retain the best staff over the long term.  This may include paying over the industry standard, including paid sick days, and even offering medical and health insurance as a sweetener.

 

 

Also, don’t forget that smaller benefits like offering a discounted gym membership, something you can get some advice on arranging at www.linkedin.com, as well as company parties, and company cars can also make a massive difference to how your employees view their job.

 

There is no progression and training on offer.

 

A major mistake when it comes to creating the best staff is not providing enough opportunity for progression and training. After all, if the top salary and position can be reached within a few years, it’s only natural that workers will go somewhere that their potential is less impeded.

 

To remedy this it’s essential to implement a policy of internal promotion that allows not only the right people to move up into management and senior positions, but also that provide more room from progression at the bottom of the ladder.

 

Now, this can be something that is difficult because it may mean having to cut back on the board of directors, or those in very senior position to free up funds and space for those below.

 

Of course, in some cases, this just may not be possible, but all is not lost, because there are other ways to approach this problem. One method would be to offer career advancing training that is provided and accredited by an outside institution.

 

By subsidizing such training you not only demonstrate to your employees that they are appreciated, and offer them something of value, but also you can help to advance and improve your business with the techniques that they learn. Additionally, many companies that offer such training programs also have a clause that requires repayment of at least some of the cost if a worker chooses to leave before a certain period of time, something that can act as a further incentive to stay.

 

 

You don’t provide the rights tools for the job.

 

Imagine being a master carpenter, but only being given access to a single, unreliable chisel for every job that needs completing. It would be very frustrating, and over time it may even lead you to abandon this job and move on to another instead.

 

Well, this is precisely what will happen in your business if you don’t provide reliable tools and equipment for the tasks that need completing. Of course at the top of this list in our now largely digital world is having up to date devices along with a reliable internet connection.

 

The latter being something that site like www.optimum.com can help you with. After all, you have little hope in keeping the best people, if they are continually being interrupted and hindered when trying to work.

 

You are not prioritizing staff wellbeing.

 

Lastly, as a society, we are finally waking up to the wisdom of prioritizing staff wellbeing, After all, if people are happy and healthy, they are much more likely to be productive and stay in the post for a longer time.

 

Of course, there are plenty of ways to promote staff wellbeing in the workplace including offering flexible work hours, health insurance, company wise counseling services and even mindful and yoga activities as part of the working day.

 

Yes, it may seem relatively small and unimportant to start the day with a few minutes of quiet focus on the breath, but the advantages as discussed at www.theguardian.com can actually be huge. In fact, they may just lead to a reduction in stress and an increase in job satisfaction that will ensure you get to retain the best people for the success of your company, over the long term.

The Risks Of Becoming A Truck Driver

Introvert Career, Introvert

For anyone who’s introverted and loves driving, the idea of becoming a truck driver can seem appealing. It would seem to be the ideal career for an individual who is happier on the road than in an office. However, it’s important to consider the risks and limitations of such a professional career. As a truck driver, you’re confronted with situations that no other worker would experience. And consequently, you need to be aware of what it means to be driving for a living. Indeed, up to 20% of professional drivers can struggle with depression, obesity and anxiety issues, which is much higher than in most other career paths. In other words, what might seem to be the perfect job for an introvert could also sign your early death. You need to have a conversation with the HR team about the following risks

 

 

You feel isolated from the company

Being on the road can be a liberating feeling if you’re going on a road trip. But when you’re on the road all the time, it’s difficult to stay in touch with your employer. As a consequence, a lot of professional drivers can feel isolated and cut off from the company. You need to talk with the HR team about the possibilities to improve your connection to the business, even if you’re a remote asset. For instance, improving internal communication through by keeping you in the loop – via SMS when you’re driving for example – can help you to share ideas and feel involved at every step of the decision.

 

You are at risk in case of poor maintenance and planning

You’re a professional driver, but the truck you drive belongs to your company. Therefore, the maintenance of the vehicle is the responsibility of your employer. You need to keep track of servicing and repairs to make sure that the vehicle you’re operating is safe on the road. Indeed, if you’re dealing with an accident that has been caused by a mechanical fault of your truck, you can refer authorities to your employer for further investigations. Additionally, accidents caused by extreme tiredness – due to poor time management – can be equally tied to you or your employer.

 

Your family life can suffer

Loneliness is the main enemy of truck drivers. When you spend a lot of time away from your family, it can be tricky to cope. That’s precisely why up to 20% of drivers struggle with depression. Human contact can become rare when you’re always behind the steering wheel. The job crushes your chances to see your partner, parents, children, friends and other relatives.

 

It can kill you even if you’ve got no accident

Sitting all day and night is unhealthy. When you work in an office, you can take regular breaks to walk around and reduce your risk factor. But when you’re driving, you can’t exactly stop the vehicle every 30 minutes for a stroll. Research has revealed a direct connection between the time you spent in a sitting position and your risk of early mortality. To put it in simple terms, even if you don’t have any accident, your driving job could still kill you.

 

Is driving professionally a career you could embrace? Ultimately, driving comes with a high risk of accidents and mortality. You can reduce these risks by making your employer responsible for the vehicle and your health.

 

Thriving In The Business World As An Introvert

Introvert Business, Introvert

There are so many people that are under the impression that being an introvert means that you are shy, unassuming and quiet. Quite the opposite. What it means is that you feel drained by people around you who have far more energy than you do; it means standing back and assessing a situation before leaping into it is important to you. Being an introverted business owner simply means that you aren’t in the face of those working around you, but you simply take note of your surroundings, analyse behaviours and work toward building a business that will thrive.

 

As an introvert, you’re expected not to thrive in the business world, but you don’t have to become an extrovert just to be successful. You can have just as much success in your business as someone loud and overly confident. Just ask Bill Gates; he managed it! From enjoying the ability to outsource to managed service providers for your IT needs and enjoying the solace of working from home, introverted business owners have an awful lot going for them to help them thrive. However, there are often times where working from home in a one-person team can be difficult, and you need the extra help from outside talent. You can set your business up to work for you and your introverted personality, and here are a few ways that you can do that:

 

 

  1. Your business model has to work for you. You don’t need to be the life and soul of a networking event, or speak on stage to thousands of people. What you need is to work out how to reach your customers in a way that makes you comfortable, whether this is invisibly through podcasts (heard but not seen) or you do it through blog posts and social media engagement.
  2. Partnering strategically and outsourcing functions of your business is going to boost your productivity massively. We mentioned outsourcing your IT services, but you can also do it for your sales, marketing and branding if you want to. This lets you focus on the things that are most important to your business and frees up your time.
  3. Don’t be afraid to take breaks. As an introvert, your energy depletes quickly and you need to remember that your brain will take longer to switch between tasks. If you need a rest, take one. Learn to listen to what your body is telling you and you won’t feel too overwhelmed.
  4. Automation is your best friend. Those tedious tasks that take up a lot of your time – such as administrative junk – can be automated. Emails, social media posts and even follow up sales text messages can be all automated to make life easier for you and help you to spend more time on the things that you love to do.

 

Being an introvert doesn’t mean that you can’t boss your business; you just do it differently to most. Focus, plan ahead and you’ll find that success you crave.

The Best Ways Introverted Leaders Can Harness Help In Business

Introvert Career, Introvert

 

It certainly feels like you are faced with constant confrontation, maybe with a customer, or you have to mediate between two employees, and it can certainly get you down. When you are of an introverted disposition, but you are in a position of power, it’s a very fine balance to tread, because you want to be seen as that useful and resourceful leader, but sometimes, you don’t have the internal strength to push through. This is where help is, and should be, harnessed. And what are the best ways introverted leaders can make the most of additional help?

Outsourcing

Outsourcing has long been a crutch of sorts that businesses use to get them through troubled times. Whether this is through an IT consulting company to show you exactly where you’re going wrong from the technical side of things or using contractors to spruce up your marketing or website. Many startups and small businesses use outsourcing to their advantage, and you should too. If there are areas of your business you aren’t skilled at, it’s these you should outsource, remember that!

Using Those That Shout Loudest

Sometimes, we feel that those people who are natural leaders appear to be forthright, and are incredibly vocal. After a while, we learn that this is not the case at all. But it’s more the folly of youth, that if you shout loud, then you will be heard. It’s these types of people you can use to your advantage, especially if you find yourself to struggle to get people’s attention, or there are things that you feel you’re not putting across as well. By making the most of these people, and, in essence, using them as your mouthpiece, this will work to your advantage infinitely.

Who Are Your Idols?

We can feel that, from time to time, what we are saying isn’t coming across the way we want it to, or we are struggling with ourselves in an internal sense. These crises of confidence are nothing new, and even those that have been in the industry for years still falter from time to time. When you feel like this, it’s important for you to find help from the unlikeliest of sources. When we are stuck for a way out, or we hit a wall, we should look to those who have blazed the trail before us, and apply some of their attitudes to what we are doing. After all, the people you idolize have shaped certain aspects of how you operate, either in a personal sense or in business. And not only does looking to these people provide answers, but it’s also going to provide inspiration and a moral lift during these tough emotional times.

And don’t forget, you can make the most of your own personality traits, just as long as you are acutely aware of who you are. It doesn’t have to be your responsibility to shout out loud to get everybody to hear you, and there are numerous examples of great leaders that aren’t gung-ho in their personality. At the end of the day, the best leaders see the bigger picture, and they trust their instincts. But, in addition to this, they use their resources well.

 

 

Managing Construction Subcontractors: A Guide For Introverts

Introvert Business, Introvert

 

If you work in construction, then you will inevitably find yourself having to manage subcontractors at some point in your career. Construction is not an industry that lends itself to single-business work completion; instead, most companies will work in concert with other specialists in order to achieve their goals.

 

For an introvert, the management of these subcontractors is always challenging. Your natural reserve can make the process inherently difficult, and you may find that you shy away from contractor management in order to reduce the stress you experience from such a task. However, as mentioned, working in construction will always involve working with subcontractors, so rather than avoiding the task, consider the ideas below in an effort to manage the situation as best you can.

 

#1 – Do your research

 

If you wish to limit the amount of time you have to spend actively interacting with subcontractors, then research is the best answer. If you spend time researching exactly the subcontractor you need, then you can keep interactions to a minimum. If you’re looking for a broad-strokes contractor, then click through websites and look for terms like “comprehensive” in company descriptions; this indicates the contractor in question will take on more generalized roles. However, if you have a niche, specialist task such as earth shoring or ground improvement, take the time to click for more information on niche, specialist subcontractors who specialize in this area. Ideally, you want to know that the subcontractor in question actually performs the work you require prior to contacting them, as this will help to streamline the entire process.

 

#2 – Use contracts to your advantage

 

Contracts can be as expansive as you need them to be, so use this opportunity to stipulate a range of requirements that you may otherwise have had to insist on in person. This provides the opportunity to ensure both you and the contractor are on the same page right from the start, and should also eliminate a need for a constant dialog between both parties. To do this, add sections to your contract that meet “what if” questions, such as “what if the project is delayed due to bad weather?” – by having this outlined from the start, you can minimize the need for personal interaction should such a scenario develop.

 

#3 – Group together tasks

 

As an introvert, you will likely experience difficulty interacting with others, especially on an ad-hoc basis. To combat this, set aside an hour from your day to go through all queries, discussions, and related activities with your subcontractors. When that hour is complete, all further questions or discussions can wait until the next day to be resolved. You can even make this clear to subcontractors in the contract, as mentioned above: just insert a clause saying you will only be available between 10am and 11am, and all queries will only be answered during these time periods. This ensures that all relevant queries can be answered in a timely fashion, and guarantees you the freedom to go about your usual work duties for much of the working day.

 

In conclusion

 

Hopefully, you will find the tips for managing subcontractors in the construction industry useful; good luck!

A Career Introvert’s Guide To Avoiding Customer Confrontations

Introvert Career, Introvert

Introverts are as afraid of confrontation as most people are of spiders. The mere thought of falling under someone’s wrath is probably enough to keep you awake at night. And, as an introverted business owner, you sweat at the mere thought of customer confrontation.

 

In this way, you’re more like other managers than you realize. For different reasons, all business owners attempt to avoid unhappy customers. For you, though, this is a matter of real worry. Even just the idea of someone shouting at you leaves you hot under the collar. In fact, it’s not unusual for fears here to get so out of hand that you give up your business dreams altogether.

But, we don’t want that to happen. Which is why we’re here to teach you how to avoid confrontation wherever possible. Admittedly, you will always get some people looking to pick holes in what you do. But, by making sure you do the following, you can at least rest easy that their fault isn’t with you.

Be professional


This point may seem simple, but it’s more useful than you might think. In life, we all fall into roles. At work, we’re professional. As customers, we respond in kind. As such, reverting to professional language and attitude could see real benefits. The moment you drop that role, your customers may feel free to let their anger loose. Instead, work on keeping your tone level and your smile shining. You may find this diffuses many a potential confrontation.

 

 

Work with customer interests in mind

Too often, business owners focus on profits above customer needs. But, that won’t serve in any way, especially when it comes to avoiding confrontations. If you charge well over the odds on your products, for instance, unhappy customers will soon come knocking on your (business) door. Equally, you should keep customers in mind when it comes to things like protecting private information. Given that getting this wrong can lead to legal confrontations, it’s especially essential you focus here. Retailers should avoid storing any information regarding customer cards and the like. Equally, healthcare providers should turn to companies like Healthcare Security to make sure client info is kept in compliance with HIPAA. No matter your field, you can bet you’ll have an unhappy visit if you slip up with customer confidentiality in any way.You may even feel the hard stare of a courtroom judge if you aren’t careful. Could anything be worse?

Remember that the customer is always right

Despite what many of us believe, customers are a pretty reasonable bunch. While there are always exceptions, most complainants merely want a satisfactory conclusion. As such, operating with the belief that customers are always right could steer you clear of confrontation. The moment you question a complaint, the customer is liable to get defensive. Instead, then, hold your hands up. Accept if someone isn’t happy. Focus instead on reaching a satisfactory conclusion for you both. Just like that, you turn a potential complaint into another satisfied customer.

Business Cohesion For Introverted Entrepreneurs

Introvert Business, Career, Introvert

At the beginning of a business’ life, the operations of the company tend to be simple. Often, businesses start with just a single staff member – the entrepreneur behind the company, who works every hour possible to turn their business idea into a reality.

 

As the business grows, operations become more complex. Eventually, a business can reach a point where it spans multiple employees who are working in multiple departments.

 

 

This growth is, of course, a huge positive: it suggests that the business is viable, the idea behind it sustainable, and the future bright for the company. However, for the entrepreneur who had the initial idea – and once singularly controlled every aspect of the business process – this expansion can be challenging. The business that was once just-for-them is now worked on and engaged with by dozens of different people, and their role is now one of managing the different departments rather than working on the business’ core product or service in and of itself. Essentially, the entrepreneur becomes the center of a complex network; the keystone of the company, the person to whom all departments report, and the ultimate decision-maker that governs the direction of the business.

 

If you find yourself in the above situation, adjusting to this change – and your new role within the organization – can take time. Managing a company full of thriving departments and multiple employees is very different to the life at the start of your business, when you controlled everything related to the business production yourself. This change means that you will likely find yourself facing challenges that you simply couldn’t have imagined at the start of your business life – and arguably the biggest of these is establishing and maintaining business cohesion.

 

What is business cohesion?

 

Business cohesion is a simple term that can be used to describe how the different areas of your business interact with one another. It includes considerations such as:

 

  • How projects that are worked on by multiple departments are managed
  • How well departments are able to communicate with one another
  • The ability of staff to discuss important matters, share ideas, and brainstorm when separated from one another either by the layout of your premises or remote working
  • How well each area of your business is able to work to meet the common goals of your overall enterprise

 

Managing the above areas can be extremely demanding of your time – and all the more so if you are an introvert. As you may have noticed, many of the areas of business cohesion require communication and interaction between departments; if you are having to coordinate this, then it naturally follows that you will have to excel at communicating and interacting with others. For introverts, meeting these needs is likely to deplete your energy reserves – and potentially even cause a large amount of stress in the process – so, unfortunately, you may find business cohesion particularly troublesome.

 

So what can you do?

 

The issue of cohesion is one that introverted entrepreneurs have to address head-on. Cohesion is simply too important to the productivity and efficiency of your business to be overlooked and, unfortunately, it is unlikely to happen naturally. In most businesses, departments tend to be isolated within their own remit, and you may even experience competitiveness or discontentment between the departments without a focus on cohesion – your SEO staff may complain of the work produced by your web design staff. Departments have a tendency to cluster together into groups rather than seeing themselves as part of the bigger picture – which is, of course, damaging to your business.

 

So, given that cohesion cannot be overlooked, how can you achieve it without causing yourself unnecessary stress in the process?

 

Opt for software solutions wherever possible

 

It’s all-too-easy for an entrepreneur to become a conduit between departments. As you frequently interact with both departments, you may find yourself being asked by a department to inform another department of a certain fact.

 

This is simply unsustainable; your role is to manage the departments, not act as a go-between. This issue is best prevented with a company-wide ERP system installed by the likes of ATB-Tech.com, as this can ensure departments have a simple method of internally communicating, monitoring developments, and ascertaining the status of a project for themselves.

 

Only intervene to solve problems

 

 

Often, business departments will default to an isolationist stance, and will feel unwilling to discuss projects with one another. Instead, they will turn to you, as both sides feel you are far more familiar to them, making it easier to talk to you than approaching a member of another department.

 

While you will need to lead the way on some matters, departments shouldn’t need you to intervene and issue instructions for basic operational processes – and if you are forced to do so, you may inevitably find yourself micromanaging which, as CareerAddict.com detail, can have extremely negative consequences.

 

To prevent issues such as those mentioned above, discourage the practice of departments turning to you as a first port of call by only agreeing to intervene if there is an outright problem that cannot be solved. If the departments are just trying to conduct a simple project, then your involvement should not be required, so refuse to engage unless both departments have reached a stalemate that requires a deciding vote.

 

Encourage departments to meet without your presence

 

 

Many companies hold regular Head of Department meetings, which is undeniably a useful tactic in encouraging departments to communicate with one another. However, you can make sure these meetings are all the more effective if you don’t attend.

 

If you go to a Heads of Department meeting, then everyone will naturally defer to you, and you will likely find yourself speaking more than anyone else in the room. Essentially, you’ll become the conduit again. To avoid this, insist on regular Heads of Department meetings but do not attend; ask an administrative assistant to take notes instead, which you can then review at a separate point in time.

 

In conclusion

When your business has grown to a point where you have multiple departments working to achieve the business’s goals, good cohesion is vital. With the ideas above, you should be able to encourage cohesion in a way that is suitable for the business, and avoids placing undue stress on yourself.