8-12 page paper

1. What is the best part of being the General Manager?

The best part to me is seeing members of my staff develop and grow in their careers. In short sum to see my people be successful.

2. What is the biggest challenge in your position?

Without a doubt it is understanding people there are a lot of different personalities and cultures you must learn to understand and respect each of them individually.

3. In what ways do you feel you motivate your staff?

Keep a positive attitude at all times; acknowledge the fact that each person in the organization is just as important as myself. Be honest with them praise their accomplishments. This list could go on forever. Basically let them understand I cannot do most of their jobs they are really the ones that take care of me.

4. What advice would you give someone who is becoming a General Manager?

Do not go in with a bulldog attitude that I am the boss this is the way it is. Take the time to get to know and understand your people and be open and honest about your goals and outlooks.

They have to know who you are, what you stand for and trust you are they will never support you.

5. What is your work motto? Why?

My motto the phrase ( I can’t ) should not exist. That is really saying I am not willing to do what it takes to achieve the desired goal. You may not have the knowledge, skills are strength. But you can still accomplish anything with training and asking for assistance. You just have to be willing.

6. How does your role as general manager fit into the larger picture of Tervita’s organization?

My role is to deliver the views of the organization to my team to where they understand and have a positive outlook of were the organization is headed. I have to guide them and lead them towards the goal.

7. If you could change one thing about your job what would it be? Why?

Having to make the choice of terminating or Laying off people do to a reduction in work force.

A lot of times when you have to make these choices it’s tough. The person has done nothing wrong they have only worked and been a productive and supportive team member. I can’t help but think about their families and what it means to them.

8. What are the most important functions of your job?

Without a doubt it’s safety. It is my responsibility to see that everyone is trained and capable of performing all duty’s assigned to them. I must see they get back home to their family like the family sent them to us. Second would be to protect the environment. Third protect your assets. And last would be your profit. If you take care of the first three the last will normally fall in place.

9. What do you wish someone would have taught you before you took the job as general manager?

I would say the budgets and forecast process. I have supervised people for about fifteen years. I never was that involved in working the budgets and forecast. We had always had a comptroller in our office to format all this we would just give the information to them. Shortly after I became manager that position was vacated and not refilled do to reduction in head count. I had to assume those responsibilities. Fortunately I have been very fortunate to have a very supportive and understanding Director of Operations that has taught me a lot.

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