Whether you're an entrepreneur, a mid-level manager, a team leader or a CEO in a newly formed organization or a mature organization, knowing the lifecycle of your organization and being able to influence the movement of that organization is critical to its growth and predictable success.

Effective management structures, strategic decision-making and collaboration within the organisation are essential to the success of any business and Les McKeown discusses the role of these three elements in growing the organisation. Despite the accessibility of critical information organisations are failing to make ‘high quality decisions’ says Les McKeown. The organisational chart which is too often seen as a prehistoric device, ‘needs to be looked at as a machine for decision making.’

This requires an honest and logical approach to the resources available in the organization, including the human resource, in order to maximize company strengths. ‘That means not pretending somebody’s a sales manager when they’re not.’ According to McKeown many managers have a fear of causing offense or taking control of ‘maverick’ employees that prevents transformation. Organisational growth requires ‘a management structure that delivers.’

This degree of transformation in the business is ‘highly emotive’ and managers shy away or try to avoid high pressured situations, yet changes are necessary to creating a sustainable growth strategy.

In the past ‘managers were appointed to run the organisation vertically” says McKeown. Traditionally managers have been trained to take care of the people below them and received rewards for their efforts.

But McKeown argues that the future success of any organisation necessitates that managers develop relationships laterally. He believes that success lies in the ability of managers, or employees on the same level, to work together. This leads to information sharing which creates a platform for innovation and creativity to thrive.

‘It is the lateral relationship that powers the business forward.’ However managers should not neglect or replace vertical relationships. There should be a balance and both sets of relationships should be developed and nurtured. Organisations are beginning to realize that they are ‘not able to solve things through the actions and thoughts of one person’. Collaboration is the key to solving the complex problems that the volatile market presents.

Watch Les McKeown in his video Get your organisation on the growth track for more tips on how to establish and grow your business.

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