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Hi,

My name is Andy Laird. I Live in Plymouth England with my Wife Louise and three Daughters Amy, Danielle and Georgia.

I am currently a “working” Manager in a customer facing retail role. I have no directs/reports just tasks to complete. I have ended up in this role following redundancy from a Call Centre Middle Management position where I managed the Facilities, Management Information and Planning Teams.

Since discovering Manager Tools in August I have become a Mark and Michael addict! I listen to the Podcasts as often I can. I have created a M.T paper library (I can highly recommend the premium content!) as well as key point flashcards.

I would like to thank Michael and Mark for all their hard work and giving me the confidence and ambition to return to Team Management (I am currently applying for new Jobs). I very much look forward to using the Management Trinity in my next role.

Kind regards,

Andy

wendii's picture
Admin Role Badge

Hi Andy,

I'm just up the coast from you in Portsmouth.

Just wanted to say welcome, and good luck with the job hunt!

Wendii

attmonk's picture

Hi Andy, nice to see another UK member.

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

Welcome aboard Andy! And thanks for the new definition of working manager - a manager without any directs. :)

Hmm, maybe this is an example where humor in written documentation might go awry...

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

Welcome Andy! Glad we have another Brit on the team.

And ALL managers are working managers! :wink:

Mark

stephenbooth_uk's picture

[quote="WillDuke"]Welcome aboard Andy! And thanks for the new definition of working manager - a manager without any directs. :)[/quote]

Does raise the question of how we define a manager.

* If someone doesn't manage people but does manage a budget, which they use to procure services from another manager or organisation, are they still a manager? Under a very strict reading of PRINCE2 that would be one definition of a project manager.

* If someone assigns work to someone but has not responsibility for their development or to operate HR procedures in relation them (no involvement with grievance, disciplinary, sickness or reviews, their only responsibility is getting the work done), are they still a manager. In the organisation I currently work for we have people in that role called assignment managers, the relationship could last days, weeks, months or years depending on the task being performed. They are basically team managers for a team that comes together to perform a task and disbands when the task in complete, a bit like Tom Peters' "Crazy Corporation" model (I think, it's been a good few years since I read the book).

* If someone has no responsibility for another person's day to day work or development but operates HR procedures in relation to them (grievance, disciplinary, sickness, reviews &c), indeed they will typically only see the person once a quarter for their quarterly review, are they still a manager? In the organisation I currently work for this would be a line manager, their only duty is to handle the pastoral side of management.

* If someone has no responsibility for the day to day work of a person or to operate HR procedures in relation to someone, their only responsibility is hiring/firing (non-disciplinary) and development of that person, are they still a manager? In the organisation I currently work for this would be called the resource manager (actually her name is Tricia). Her primary responsibility is to take resource requests from assignment managers and find people who have the skills and are available to fulfil that request, if there is no-one available who can fulfil that request then she hires someone, organises for a consultant to be brought in or organises for someone internal to be trained up to the required skill level (depending on how far in advance the request was made (some requests are literally "We need them by this afternoon" whilst others are "We need them October next year") and availability of suitable people). Her secondary responsibility is to ensure that everyone is given opportunities to develop in a direction they want so long as it fits in with the overall long term expected needs of the organisation.

* If someone has no responsibility for managing people but has responsibility for managing plant (capital assets), are they still a manager? At one of my previous employers we had Server Managers who would each be responsible for one or more UNIX servers. Their job was to schedule work on the servers they were responsible for with the support teams, manage changes and liaise withjt he customer who had applications on those servers.

Stephen

terrih's picture

[quote="mahorstman"]And ALL managers are working managers! :wink:
[/quote]

Reminds me of the phrase "working mother." As if a mother doesn't work if she doesn't have a job outside the home. :twisted:

andylaird25's picture

Hi

I apologize, I communicated “working” wrongly, All managers (in fact all workers) work, I am very sorry and I will explain my view on my role in my next post.

Wow, first post and I am already reviewing the Do YOU need to Apologize? And Write More Effectively Podcasts!

Thank you to everyone who has took the time to read my Bio and respond to it.

Kind regards

Andy Laird

andylaird25's picture

Hi

I have Manager in my job title, but basically I’m the bottom of the chain.

I am told what to do, how to do it and if I don’t I will be given the push.
Feedback is all one way (DOWN) and my Manager has only reviewed my performance with me four times since May 2006.

My peer group try everything possible to avoid work (that word again!) and will celebrate when they are able to have ZERO productivity in their entire shift.

Anyway, I want out and move back up the chain and I am sure M.T will help me do this.

Hopefully my worm can opener has now been placed back in the cutlery draw.

Kind regards,

Andy Laird

jhack's picture

Andy, you had the courage to post. Those of us who post often do so as much to learn as to contribute.

I'd rather be on the field of play, and make a mistake, than sit in the stands.

Welcome!

John

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

I don't think anyone took offense to anything you said. I know I didn't. My personal belief is to go ahead and throw your line in. I learn a lot more by having my thoughts reviewed and challenged. Wait a minute, is that what John just said? Maybe I learn by what John says and then I repeat it.. :wink:

juliahhavener's picture
Licensee Badge

Andy,

I loved the second post, but I wouldn't say it was required. Sometimes the oddest things set us off in debate and discussion...just consider yourself a conversation starter! It's a good thing.

Welcome to the boards, I hope you find as much value here as I have. And I'm very glad you've found the courage to dive back in to the fray!