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Succession Planning: Pass the Baton
 Succession
planning is often viewed as a process only family-owned businesses
need to be concerned about. That's not the case. It applies to
practically any key position in any organization. Think of this…a
fabulous career opportunity has opened up in your organization
and you apply with high hopes, knowing you're perfect for the
job. But someone else gets the position! The reason...you are
much too valuable where you are, and there isn't anyone qualified
to fill your shoes. How disappointing…and it could have been
avoided if you had been grooming someone to take over for you
when you leave.
That's really
what succession planning is…the successful transition of
personnel from one position to the next. As one person leaves
a position, someone steps in, picks up the reins, and work proceeds
smoothly and efficiently. Succession planning is vital for the
CEOs and top management personnel, but can you see the need for
it in other positions, as well?
As in a relay race,
you don't just pass the baton to someone standing on the sidelines
watching; you pass it to the one who has been training with you.
That's how promotions and succession planning should work.
Many baby boomers
are nearing retirement - in some Canadian companies, the number
of people approaching retirement is as high as 50%. So what happens
when these ones leave? Two options:
- The company will carry on successfully,
using the people who have been recruited and groomed for the
vacant positions.
-
The company flounders, and may even fail, because there has
not been a plan in place to groom the people who will be still
around, educating them on what is needed to be successful in
the newly vacated positions.
To ensure option
#1 is achieved, there must be a succession plan.
Succession planning
is a process that should involve everyone in the organization.
Of course, it takes time, effort and money to ensure succession
plans are in place and implemented, but the benefits will be almost
immeasurable.
As you look towards
your own career possibilities within your organization, you must
look behind you and target key people who can take over your current
position. With the succession plan always in your mind, you will
ensure a successful future for the organization, and for yourself,
as you will then be able to look for and accept opportunities
for your own advancement.
Complaints Can Lead to Success
 Receiving
a complaint isn't the end of the world. A complaint is an opportunity
to improve and to ensure you have a customer for life.
Often what drives a customer from your door
isn't a problem with your service or product, it's a problem that
goes unacknowledged and unresolved. If you thank the one making
the complaint (I'm not joking...thank them!), and clear up the
concern to their satisfaction, you will have the appreciation
of that customer and may enjoy some excellent "word-of-mouth"
marketing.
Welcome complaints, view them as opportunities
for growth and betterment, and you'll have one key ingredient
in the formula for success.
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