Page 22 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_Oct2025

SMALL BUSINESS

Top 7 decision-

making tips for

managers

When you manage a business, you are
constantly making decisions—often
under pressure.

How do you make the best possible decisions, 3. Challenge the status quo
knowing they will have an impact on your company's People tend to choose the status quo over change, to stay in
future? their comfort zone. But being comfortable with an approach
As a leader, there are strategies you can use to avoid common may not be enough to justify it. Question whether you would
pitfalls and hone your decision-making skills. Making better, choose a course of action if you weren't already following it.
faster decisions will help you take advantage of business Examine your options as realistically as possible.
opportunities and avoid pitfalls. Don't overstate the cost or the effort involved in making a
change. For example, if you were starting over, would you use
1. Reframe the problem the same marketing tactics to attract customers? Would you
Backing up is sometimes the best way to move forward. When attend the same trade shows? Would you emphasize web-based
you are presented with a problem, step back and think about marketing, direct mail or a mix? Don't forget to find supporting
its full context. Try to see the issue from as many perspectives data that will help you review your choices objectively.
as possible. That will help ensure you are not emphasizing one
aspect and neglecting others. 4. Get an outside perspective...but trust yourself
Begin by trying to think of at least 3 different ways of looking Make it a habit to ask others for information and opinions. Be
at the problem. open-minded. Get a wide range of views, so you can see an
issue from as many perspectives as possible.
2. Make evidence-based decisions
- Employee opinions count
The aim of evidence-based management (EBM) is to use
scientific evidence when making decisions, rather than simply Find ways to encourage information sharing in your company. Be
trusting one's instincts. Like most people, you probably tend open to plain talk and foster an atmosphere where people can
to use your judgement and to base your decisions on what is be direct, even when the truth is unpleasant. Using performance
familiar. But experiences that you have had at other companies evaluations is one way to encourage these values.
or in different circumstances may not apply to the situation at - Deal with problems
hand. If you want to consult others about a problem, be sure to
There are simple steps you can take to incorporate evidence consider it carefully from as many angles as possible before
into your decision making. talking to them. That way, you will avoid being limited by their
• Use performance data to support your decisions. Get the interpretations and ideas. Frame the problem in as many ways
most current and complete data possible. as you can, and then seek out others to see whether they can
add to your understanding of the issue.
• Challenge your gut feelings. Is there any objective evidence
to support them? 5. Develop an eye for risk
• When a course of action is suggested, find out what it's It's possible to train yourself to look for all types of risks.
based on and whether it's supported by data. Whenever you make a decision, ask yourself: If I make the wrong
• Determine whether commonly used business strategies have decision, how will I know it?
worked in a situation like yours. Will they apply to your For example, if you are considering changing your transportation
particular case? carrier to cut costs, think about how you would determine that
• Check that the business data you come across are current you'd made the wrong decision.
and objective.

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