the best management ideas ever

King Arthur ruled over Camelot, bringing it security and prosperity. How? By utilizing his best people - the knights of the roundtable - to get the job done. King Arthur didn't manage each and every farmer, blacksmith, and soldier individually. That would have been impossible- and possibly insane. King Arthur had a strong middle management team that executed his vision.

Productivity doesn't just happen - it's planned. And with our collective productivity increasing some 80% since the 70s, all of that planning is clearly working. Need some tips for squeezing a little more out of your day? Here are some of our failsafe ways to ensure that you're using your time as effectively as possible.

Diversity in the workforce is a hot button topic. But studies have shown that diversity isn't only good for your company culture - it's good for your bottom line. Having a team that represents different cultures, genders, socioeconomic background, ages and even ways of thinking is a plus for your business. It helps you see beyond your own perspective - and it helps you get into the heads of your consumers. 

The vision many people have when they dream about running a business is often a far cry from the day-to-day reality. The freedom, flexibility and fine dining lunches don't necessarily materialize. In their place, many small business owners struggle with long days, stress and cash flow.

Though common, those issues don't need to be part of the experience. Often, they arise when small business owners need a stronger grounding in the basics of business operations and process.

Here's what you need to know to ensure that your business ticks along like a dream.

Businesses today have to move and think fast to keep up with the ever-changing landscapes of their industry. Without the agile mindset, staying competitive is almost impossible. By encouraging and developing a culture of creative collaboration, you give your business a competitive advantage. A huge leg up on your competition!

Cross-functional (leadership, accounting, marketing, production, development, customer service, etc.) teams can meet in a collaborative environment and bring different skill sets, perspectives, and functional expertise to the table to solve a common problem or achieve a common goal. It can be easy for cross-functional teams to fall into competition with each other, but thoughtful cooperation and guidance is the name of the game. Remember, you’re all supposed to be working toward the same goal - success!