Management Strategies That Work

Michael Miller (2002) in The Good The Bad & The Ugly develops 50 strategies to use in business based Classic Western movies. I recently reread this book and realized that I have used all of these strategies in dealing with volunteers, corporations, politicians, educators and students. Here is a brief outline of the main 50 business strategies.

Business Strategies To Adopt

1. Vision and planning

• See the future not the present circumstances
• Think big
• Create a strategy/plan
• Quantifiable goal
• Use the right tools
• Choose your target
• Contingency plan
• Adapt to changing conditions
• Test your plan
• Follow through on plan

2. The competition

• Know the competition
• How will competition react
• Beware of nothing to lose competitor
• Do not underestimate competition
• Have an edge
• Create an image
• Show mercy to competitors
• Be a better cheater
• Alliances
• Do not let them see you sweat

3.Taking Action

• Gather data
• Define the rules
• Act fast, be decisive
• Drive a hard bargain
• Guerrilla tactics
• Cheat better than competitors
• Play it by ear
• Cut losses
• Divert competition
• Follow through on promises/threats

4. Team Management and Leadership

• Assert authority
• Teach the team/do not do their job
• Do not be a tyrant/lead
• Do not play favourites
• Dissolve internal conflicts
• Train hard/ push your staff
• Do not contradict your staff decisions
• Entertain all opinions but you decide
• Hire professionals
• Take responsibility for making mistakes

5. Ethics and Personal style

• Evaluate with open eyes
• Mentor/find mentor
• Do not be drawn into conflicts
• Be cautious
• Do not believe everything you hear
• Be selective with whom you work
• Be selective with whom you deal with
• Make up your own mind
• Do what needs to be done
• Nothing is black or white