In my last article, we discussed what the role of a General Manager is in a small, privately-owned business. Although the primary responsibility of the General Manager is to support the owner’s vision and make it a reality, the role goes beyond that. The GM spends a great deal of time reviewing reports, monitoring KPIs, and researching industry trends in order to make the vision a reality. This person also must hire, retain, and develop employees to foster the company’s culture. The GM often doubles as the Operations Manager, overseeing the day-to-day service delivery and quality control. Overall, the GM is the executor, making sure the business runs smoothly, operates efficiently, and develops and grows where the owner wants it to do so.
It may seem like the GM’s role is the same as the owner’s, and in many cases, this might be true. The GM and owner both work toward the company’s big picture plans: the vision, the mission, and the growth and development of the company. So why have a General Manager? What are the reasons for hiring someone to run your business? In this installment of the series, we will discuss a few reasons why many companies hire a GM and how the GM can help take the company to the next level.