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Who’s driving your company? Is it your line or your staff?
In Vegas, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the inside workings of many hotels. Some are driven by the line. Some are driven by staff. The difference is dramatic. The difference ebbs from efficiency to morale to revenue.
Of course, you need staff. You need accountants, data-processing experts, etc. to maintain controls. But, corporate staffs have a remarkable knack for swelling and usurping the powers of line executives. Before you know it, they are establishing procedures, making policies and creating forms to fill out forms. Sure, some policies are needed, but the ones that impede progress and decrease line executive empowerment are not for me.
In the tug-of-war between line executives and staff, I vote for the line. They are the ones bringing in the money. They are the ones in the trenches, getting their hands dirty. Line executives understand the customer and see the dangers and pluses long before the staff does.
Every so often, take a step back. Are you line driven? If not, why?
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