Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 Q: In our manufacturing operation, we like to promote from within for first-line supervision. The best equipment operators are the ones who expect to be promoted, but we've found that they are not always the best supervisors. How might we address this? ACE Advises: While it can be a very positive business practice to promote from within, it can lead to a "double negative" if the right expectations, training, skills and qualifications are not in place: 1. You lose the contribution of the skilled performer. 2. You create an ineffective supervisor or manager First-line supervisors, and all managers, need to be skilled in multiple areas, such as: Interpersonal communications Giving and receiving feedback Setting goals and performance expectations Resolving differences Coaching and building skills in others Communicating overall business strategy and priorities A clearly established set of criteria and basic expectations should determine who will be considered for promotion to supervision. Candidates should be given training in these areas, including overall leadership. Ideally, candidates for promotion have an opportunity to participate in a facilitated assessment center process where candidates work together on vari- ous real business and supervisory situations. Interactions are observed and evaluated as part of the consideration for promotion. This sort of preparation and development of supervisors is an essential investment in quality supervision and, ultimately, the company's performance. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y J o h n S h o r b o f t h e D e l p h i G r o u p I n c . The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Reach John Shorb, principal consultant with the Delphi Group, at jshorb@thedelphigroup.com subjective decision taking into consider- ation price offered, taxable value created, proposed redevelopment use along with other tangible and intangible aspects of the proposal." e minimum sale price is set at $1, although there are also outstand- ing back taxes, according to the RFP. e RFP is open until July 26. According to Maine Preservation, William Clough and Walter Pillsbury opened a hardware business in the building in 1916. N O T E W O R T H Y C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Evergreen Subaru in Auburn donat- ed $31,450 to Tree Street Youth's Project Graduation through its annual Subaru Share the Love campaign. The University of Maine at Farmington said it received a $38,495 grant from the trustees of the Davis Family Foundation for its Sweatt-Winter Early Care and Education Center Improvement Plan project. The Brand Collective, a branding and marketing agency in Auburn, announced a rebrand and change of name to Warp + Weft. Waterville Creates, a nonprofit sup- porting and promoting accessible arts and cultural programs and institutions in Waterville, announced a $25,000 gift from Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville in support of the community capital campaign for the Paul J. Schupf Art Center. Community Concepts Finance Corp. in Lewiston and Androscoggin Bank in Lewiston partnered to provide $4 million in loans to reach small business own- ers and entrepreneurs in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. CAT ferry service to restart Bay Ferries Ltd said plans to restart CAT ferry service between Bar OLD COMPUTERS CAN GO BACK TO WORK When your company donates its outdated technology, Goodwill creates jobs and keeps electronic waste out of landfills. Find out more: goodwillnne.org/Goodtech We refurbish computers, tablets, phones and peripherals, making technology aordable to everyone. M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T

• Cover