Any advice for a 1st time manager?

[TheThrillIsGone]

Background:

I work for a small, privately-owned plastics company (distributor, fabricator, engineering, manufacturer)

We have 4 branches in the country, and do about $20mil per year total. Maybe 50-60 employees throughout all branches. I am the youngest employee in the entire company. The youngest manager they've ever hired. I have been there almost 5 years (Inside Sales/Account Manager/Customer Service)

I was told in the last week that they are making me Customer Service Manager starting next week and, within 3-6 months, they want me to take over my branch completely and be branch manager (will have 8 employees working for me, that I have been working beside for the past 5 years, and all but 1 of them has been there longer than me)

I'm only 28, this is a huge jump for me. I will be getting three raises in my base salary in the next year and, instead of having to hit a number and my team getting a bonus each quarter I will be involved with profit sharing, getting a set % of net profit no matter what, each quarter.

Does anyone here have management experience? What advice can you give? The only people that know are the Owner/CEO, the President, my current branch manager (they are creating a new position for her) and myself. When they make the announcement Monday it is going to shock a lot of people.

[jasonluckydog]

I'm a manager have been one for 15 years, 1st rule dont poo where you eat. I'm a bad boss when it comes to that.

[Happy Panther]

You have to find a way to make your people happy while making your bosses happy.

As far as your people never act like they are replaceable (even though they are) and remember that if you lose your workers you are done too. Don't ever feel like you need to exercise your authority just for the heck of it. Don't ever get on a power trip. Try to listen a lot. As a manager i wanted to treat my people so well that they would die for me...when the poo hit the fan i wanted guys who would take a bullet for me. In other words treat them so well that when you do have to be a hardass its understood.

As far as your bosses just follow the company line. Figure out your deliverables and make it happen no matter what. If you have moved up this fast you have impressed some people already so you are probably cool. If I could give one word of advice it would be to find a way to over-communicate without being a bother. bosses hate to be surprised and the hate to be bothered with crap

When you have to make a choice that sacrifices either your people or your bosses then you gotta figure it out for yourself.

[88 Bronco]

Praise in public, chastise in private. Don't ever ask someone to do something you wouldn't do or haven't done. Give your people their tasks to do and leave them alone. Be approachable always. Show concern, but not weakness. Learn to say no.

[charlotte49er]

I just PM'ed you. I have the perfect Mgmt tool. Helps you deal with everything from Diversity to Running effective meetings! I learned more from this cheat sheet then I did at a week of IBM Mgmt Training.

[iamcline]

I'm a manager have been one for 15 years, 1st rule dont poo where you eat. I'm a bad boss when it comes to that.

You eat in the bathroom?

Best advice I can give to the OP is to listen. Immediate responses aren't always the best long-term.

[Zod]

First piece of advice... don't go on internet message boards asking for management advice.

[Jackofalltrades]

First piece of advice... don't go on internet message boards asking for management advice.

Especially this one.

[Jangler]

If your pitcher is struggling by inning 4 get him out of the game.

[TheSaint]

Start interviewing people immediately, then fire everyone. Theyve all been there longer than you and are going to resent your new position. It wont work. So fire everyone and start new. Even if the replacements are older than you, you hired them, so they will respect you.

[TarPanther9180]

Go in, fire the biggest slacker to make an example of and then become what Happy Panther said

[hepcat]

Don't bring up problems without a solution.

You have to balance being a well-liked person with getting things done. Can't be too much of either.

[dimbee]

If the branch has been running efficiently then don't make any dramatic changes, just fire 1 person and let the machine keep on running... if the branch is lagging, then you're going to have to fire 1 person and whip the rest into shape.

But, bottom line, fire at least 1 person

[Ja Rhule]

I'm high in ranks in a wholesale company. Make sure you know the programs you use very well (especially inventory!). Do not spend money on worthless poo. If you get something from corp. office (like follow up on vendor returns) do it! If you have a question, call your accounting department and ask! Dont be a superman cause if you mess up it will be a pain in the ass for your bosses to clean it up. Be nice to everyone! Ethics are very important. Come early and leave late for first 3 months (if you on salary) just to secure your position.