Scaling a Small and Medium Enterprise is an exhilarating journey filled with growth opportunities. It also comes with its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to managing people. As an expert HR consultancy in Cochin, we try to explore and formulate key tips that will help you achieve a better-balanced team in an organization.

As an SME grows, founders often find themselves juggling multiple roles, and the personal connection that once defined their leadership style can start to wane. Let’s take a look at a few of the challenges that are faced by SMEs in managing people.

Expert Tips from an HR Consultancy

Challenges of Maintaining a Personal Connection

1. Growing Team Size: As your team expands, it becomes harder to interact with each employee on a personal level. In a small team, you might know everyone’s strengths and aspirations but as your SME scales, this personal touch can be diluted.
2. Increased Workload: Scaling often means taking on new clients, projects, or markets, and hence Founders are consumed by strategic decisions, leaving less time for direct interactions with their team. 
3. Evolving Roles and Hierarchies: As the organization grows, layers of management are often introduced. While this is necessary for operational efficiency, it can create barriers to open communication and a sense of accessibility between employees and founders.

Tips to Ensure Team Alignment and Consistent Communication and What We Provide as an HR Service

1. Set Clear Values and Vision: Reinforce your SME’s core values and vision at every stage of growth and regularly communicate how the organization’s goals align with individual roles and contributions. 
2. Leverage Technology for Communication: Utilize collaborative tools to maintain transparent communication. These tools enable real-time updates and allow employees to share ideas fostering a sense of inclusion.
3. Delegate Effectively: Delegating responsibilities doesn’t mean disconnecting; it means empowering others to lead while maintaining strategic oversight.
4. Create Opportunities for Connection: Host regular team-building activities or one-on-one check-ins. Even as the organization grows, making time for these interactions signals that you value your employees.
5. Prioritize Employee Development: Invest in training, mentorship programs, and clear career pathways for employees to ensure growth opportunities within the company.
6. Create a Feedback Mechanism: Encourage open dialogue by creating safe spaces for employees to share their thoughts. Anonymous surveys, suggestion boxes, or direct feedback sessions can help achieve that.