The Fundamentals of Business Management are an often overlooked set of skills. Yet, knowing the fundamentals can be all that separates a business from success or failure. Perhaps you're a business manager and question the importance of these fundamentals to your business. Lots of business managers do, so that makes it OK, right? Wrong! Behind every good business manager is a person who has learned and mastered the very fundamentals of business management. If you're one of those who have not learned these fundamentals, it's time for you to take some time out and do it. Not only will such training benefit your business, but it will have a positive effect on your business career as well.

Business Management Fundamental #1: Don't Try to Be Liked

Most business managers want to be on the good side of their employees. While this is a great thing to want, it is not a good idea to make it the main focus of what you are doing. Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure the business is run in an effective way. Being a friend to your employee won't always accomplish this.

Make sure to "lay down the law" and tell your employees exactly what you need and expect from them. Don't try to sugar-coat things or be "gentle" with them. It's obviously not popular to be strictly about business, but it's what is needed to forge a successful business. After a while, your employees will grow to like and respect you, simply because of the fact that you have chosen to do what is best for the business as a whole.

Business Management Fundamental #2: Change Things as Needed

Proactive business managers are a great asset to any business they work for. They do what they have to do to make the business better. They advocate change when needed. And they don't back down when some may question the plan for change, especially if they believe in the plan. Change is a necessary part of business, one that some try to avoid. Business managers can't allow themselves to be persuaded by those employees who may question their plan. Those who do give in lose the respect of their employees, who see a boss that can't stand up. Don't be the boss who puts off change just to please a few critics. Instead be the boss who does what is needed to better the business!

Business Management Fundamental #3: Represent

Make it known that the employees you are managing are accountable not just to you, but to your superiors as well. Don't disrespect your superiors, either. Instead of saying "they" won't like it if a task isn't completed on time, emphasize that the business as a whole ("we") won't like it if the task isn't completed. As a business manager, it is important to represent the business as a whole on every level.

Business Management Fundamental #4: Be Optimistic and Realistic

Negativity can kill a business. A negative manager can rub off on his or her employees, thus creating a negative work environment which cuts down on the productiveness of the business. Even when hard times hit the business, try to be optimistic. When things are going good, try to be optimistic and realistic. This positive attitude towards business management will rub off on employees, which will increase productivity

Check out more details at: http://www.staffkit.com/learn/series/business-management-fundamentals.htm/ Victor Pursley: http://www.staffkit.com/learn/management_pkg.html/