Divide and conquer - Delegating tasks to employees will benefit you in the long run

This post came out from The Straits Times (6 Jan 2012)
Title - Divide and conquer

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Look for what to delegate
2. Pick the right person
3. Sit with your team
4. Keep an eye on things
5. Rewards the effort

On Look for what to delegate

• Delegation does not mean simply handing out assignments. It is a science and an exercise in understanding oneself.
• The first thing need to do here is consider your strengths. Assign your time to those tasks which are critical to the success of the business, and which need to be handled by you personally.
• Also, consider your personal strengths - are they technical, sales or operations related? Those are the things you should continue doing. The tasks that are not within your proficiency or those can easily be performed by others are the first things to give away.

On Pick the right person

• Even when a task is performed by another member on your team, you should remember that ultimately, it is your reputation and credibility on the line. Hence, when you delegate a task, make sure to devote enough time to the initial discussions to assure yourself that the person can do the task.

On Sit with your team

• Once you select the right squad, have a chat with the people you hired. Explain the project accurately, establish what the tasks are, how they should be completed and what the final outcome should look like. Also, emphasise the need for the deadline to be met, if any, and make sure you get their conformity and understanding.

On Keep an eye on things

• Have regular meetings with your team for progress reports, questions and support. Your people should not feel lost in the workplace. However, don't look over their shoulders every minute. Managing closely is different from being bossy. 
• Initially, some of your employees may need plenty of help and support. Provide them with training. At the same time, if you find that you can step back and give them greater autonomy, go for it. Remember, it's your own business and you will always retain overall supremacy. 

On Reward the effort

• If the person to whom you allocated a responsibility does a good job, let him know. Even if the end result is not that satisfactory, you must appreciate the effort that has gone into it. This will work as a great incentive. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big