How to Manage Well with Zero Budget?

Reduced staff, salary freezes, reduced budget: 2013 is shaping up to be a tense year, and Moroccan businesses are no exception. So how do you maintain team motivation and optimize performance when your budget is close to zero? Here are some tips to help you navigate this turbulent period without too many problems. Show your confidence in the future You must absolutely give your employees, who are worried about their jobs or pay, a clear vision of the future. Don't promise anything you can't deliver; instead, be honest, and focus on trust and transparency. Empower your employees

In times of crisis, leaders sometimes tend to withdraw and stick to what they know, when they should instead open up to others and delegate. You must empower even lower-level employees and let them bring you solutions and growth on a silver platter.

1- Develop versatility
In the face of staff reductions, the company must plan for contingency solutions by working upstream on job versatility and focusing on multi-tasking employees. This is the time to move some people to a sector or profession where they would feel more comfortable and, above all, where you can get the most out of them.

2- Exploit the "hidden gems"
When external recruitment is frozen, it's the right time to review the troops and discover the hidden side of your employees, often with good surprises.
Employees sometimes have skills that are not expressed or used in their current role, and by discovering them, you will gain motivation and efficiency, at zero cost.

3-Optimize the training plan
Every dirham spent on training must be used wisely. The goal is not to provide enjoyable training, but to develop the employability of your employees and "strengthen" your teams. You can streamline training initiatives by promoting internal training and sharing best practices.

4- Work in project mode
This is the time to think "collective." Project-based work is a motivating and unifying lever that has the merit of putting teams under pressure and motivating the actors. With resources, an objective, and milestones, project mode provides something structuring and reassuring for its participants.

5- Optimize time
Reduced resources mean optimized working time, and managers don't have time to waste to be effective.
To do this, you should adopt a simplified reporting system or favor shorter but more frequent meetings, through telephone conferences or video conferencing, for example.

6-Get closer to employees
The more you are on the ground and close to your teams, the more effective you will be. You will thus shorten the decision-making chains and be more attentive to employees to detect innovative ideas and improvements.

7-Promote a pleasant work environment
When you are unable to increase the pay of your best employees due to budget constraints, offer them different ways of organizing their work to maintain their motivation. Sometimes you have to offer "an extra soul to the work" because when employees can't earn more, they can at least work better and under better conditions.

Philippe Montant General Manager ExeKutive.biz