5 Tips to Be a Successful Office Manager
The office manager role has been changing so rapidly to mirror the ever-evolving corporate world and meet the diverse needs of the dynamic workforce. The role has a huge responsibility to implement the best office management solutions so that their work teams, online and offline, are functioning as a unified group to achieve business goals. If you are an office manager in Singapore, read on because here are five tips that will help you become more successful at your role:
1. Know the office like the back of your hand
As an effective office manager in Singapore, you must know your office inside out and ensure it’s in tip-top condition to facilitate productivity and efficiency in the company. Instead of working through all the paperwork all day, set aside a few minutes every day walking around the office to have a sense of what’s going on and what improvements need to be made. Knowing the lay of the land can help you tackle any problems more promptly and effectively. Regular walk-throughs also let you spot what kind of task can be managed in-house and what are complex enough to hire third-party services such as office space planning services and office management solutions services.
2. Communication is key
Cultivating your communication skills can help you thrive as an office manager in Singapore because you’re always the first point of contact when there are changes in the office space, technologies and policies. Your proactive approach to establishing communications is paramount to resolving conflicts, giving clear instructions and establishing trust amongst people.
The lack of effective communication is one of the main causes of workplace failures, so why not go the extra mile to perfect your communications skills to improve your company’s efficiency? Little things like notifying colleagues in advance when there are any changes in the office or including different views before implementing a new policy can instil a greater sense of inclusiveness and trust in the company.
3. Leverage tools & forge relationships with vendors
A clever office manager must learn to deploy different tools and software to help your department run efficiently and keep the business running at optimum. Don’t get stuck with old school methods, these days there are ample tools like Asana, Trello and Google Drive that streamline work processes and make your job a lot easier.
To make your role even more efficient, learn to choose and forge good working relationships with efficient vendors for things like office space planning services or office supplies. When there are healthy relationships that are based on a win-win approach, these trusted partners are more likely to lend you a hand when issues arise or expedite an urgent request.
4. Connect with a support network
Are you new to office management? Connecting with fellow office managers to exchange tips or get a listening ear can be invaluable to get you up to speed with your role and thrive in your position. Such a support network comprises other managers with a wealth of experience. They can offer sound office management solutions and even share contacts with the right expertise to assist you in challenging projects.
If you don’t know where to locate a network, start with Linkedin which let you gain access to fellow managers across the globe. Alternatively, ask your friends to introduce you to any professional circles with managers in similar office management roles.
5. Expand your skillset
Even if you’re an experienced office manager in Singapore, choosing to take on new projects to learn new skills or expand your knowledge through training courses are great options to add credibility to your expertise. Whether it is to grow in your current role or as a stepping stone to help you move to a different department, expanding your skillset and domain knowledge is the best way to advance you to the next level of your career.
Consider what is your area of interest and explore projects or courses that are related to them. Some learning topics that are closely knitted to your role include human resources management, information management and financial management.
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