MBWA
I spent almost the whole day on the road to do battle once more with my old friend Brontok. Truth to tell, I don’t mind undertaking what many see as a menial job. After updating the anti-virus programs installed in the affected computers, scanning them once more to insure the deletion of any malicious leftovers, [A removal tool made available by Sophos is very useful - Ed.] and preaching once more the values of safe computing practices to my staff [Put in human sexuality terms, my store computers are positively promiscuous - Ed.], I gain another opportunity to practice my favorite management theory of all: management by walking around (MBWA).
Retail is detail, and MBWA seems to be tailor-made for the retail trade. I haven’t heard of a retailer who wouldn’t gladly exchange a day at company headquarters with the opportunity to get out and visit his stores in the flesh. In my case, I take the time to talk to my staff, observe how they work, sample the production, look at the merchandise and how it’s displayed, and take note of how our customers interact with the store.
The truth of the matter is that MBWA applies to all known human industry. Anyone can obtain its benefits, although results will only come in time. FutureCents enumerates twelve guidelines to make MBWA to work for you. Life After Coffee distills these principles further:
1. Visit everyone
2. Stay positive
3. Be genuine
4. Make sure it’s not all business
5. Don’t expect results right away
