SME Business owners often cite several key issues with their managers that can hinder overall performance and team dynamics. Here are some of the most common concerns:
- Lack of Leadership Skills
Many business owners feel that their managers lack essential management skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of direction within teams.
- Poor Employee Engagement
Business owners frequently report that their managers struggle to engage and motivate their teams. This can result in low morale, decreased productivity, and higher staff turnover rates.
- Inadequate Performance Management
Some managers may not provide regular feedback or conduct performance reviews effectively with their team members. Business owners often see this as a missed opportunity to develop employees and nip performance issues in the bud, before they become more serious issues.
- Resistance to Change
In a rapidly evolving business landscape, some managers may be resistant to change or hesitant to adapt to new processes or technologies. This can slow down innovation and hinder business growth.
- Communication Breakdowns
Many owners find that managers struggle with clear communication, both within their teams and with upper management. This can lead to confusion, misinformation, and decreased efficiency.
6. High Staff Turnover Rates
Our SME clients, often express concern over high employee turnover linked to poor management practices. They recognise that ineffective managers can drive talented employees away, resulting in additional recruitment and training costs.
- Inability to Delegate
Some managers may struggle to delegate tasks effectively, leading to micromanagement or burnout of themselves. Business owners see this as a barrier to team development and overall productivity.
- Lack of Strategic Thinking
Our clients sometimes feel that their managers focus too much on day-to-day operations without considering the bigger picture. This can hinder long-term planning and growth.
- Insufficient Conflict Resolution Skills
Many owners notice that managers have difficulty addressing conflicts within their teams. Unresolved conflicts can create a toxic work environment and impact team cohesion, and again result in higher staff turnover. Why wants to work in a team like this?
- Limited Professional Development Opportunities
Owners may feel that their managers are not investing in their team’s growth or providing opportunities for the people in their team to develop, which can lead to stagnation and dissatisfaction amongst team members, also resulting in people leaving.
How can we help?
Our vision at Meraki HR is to make every business we work with a great place to work, and your managers play a huge part in this! Luckily for you, our Highly Effective Managers Program is back by popular demand!
We first ran this training program at the start of 2020, and we delivered two modules in person, and then went into lockdown in March 2020 and conducted the rest of the training on line. Despite these challenges, we had great fun and received 5 star feedback from our first group! Since then, we have run this program for many of our clients as in an inhouse training program for their managers, and as a stand alone program for our clients to book.
From November 2025, we will be offering this as a “public” program again, meaning that any of our clients can book their managers onto either the whole program or any of the individual sessions as noted below. There will be only 12 places available per session, and you can see the full details and book your place via this link.
Cost to attend all 5 modules:
£899 plus VAT.
Cost to attend any of the individual modules:
£199 plus VAT.
The 5 Modules:
- Thursday November 6th 2025 – Employment Law Masterclass, which includes a FREE review of your contract of employment and policies to ensure your business is fully compliant.
- Thursday December 4th 2025 – Effective Communication Skills and having difficult conversations – which includes a Free DISC Profile.
- Thursday January 8th 2026- Recruitment Masterclass which includes a FREE Audit of your recruitment process/practices.
- Thursday February 5th 2026 – Coaching Skills for Mangers
- Thursday March 5th 2026 – Managing Performance and improving Employee Engagement – which includes a FREE Performance Improvement Policy.
To book your place, or to secure a spot for a team member CLICK HERE or, if you have questions about HEMP or any HR matters please feel free to BOOK A CALL with us.
