{"id":2108,"date":"2015-03-30T17:43:28","date_gmt":"2015-03-30T17:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peeriosity.com\/shared-services\/articles\/?p=2108"},"modified":"2022-08-11T09:23:34","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T09:23:34","slug":"use-and-frequency-of-periodic-meetings-for-mid-level-shared-services-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peeriosity.com\/shared-services\/articles\/2015\/03\/use-and-frequency-of-periodic-meetings-for-mid-level-shared-services-managers\/","title":{"rendered":"Use and Frequency of Periodic Meetings for Mid-Level Shared Services Managers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Too often, mid-level managers are the \u201cforgotten layer\u201d of Shared Services, with the investment made more frequently at the senior leadership level and at the process level of the organization.\u00a0 Creating the opportunity for mid-level managers to formally meet to discuss issues and share ideas<\/a> is a low-cost investment that can pay big dividends with more knowledgeable and inspired mid-level managers.\u00a0 As the relationships with peers develop, it becomes easier to network and share more frequently. \u00a0This allows mid-level managers to better support each other as needed when issues come up, by using another manager with a similar set of issues for help rather than escalating to a member of the leadership team who may not have the same depth of knowledge or insight.<\/span><\/p>\n

A mid-level manager at a global consumer products company wanted to find out how other companies were developing managers in Shared Services who typically reported to members of the Shared Services leadership team<\/a>.\u00a0 Within a few hours, using iPollingTM<\/sup>, she had answers from many of her peers around the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is the background statement on the reason for the poll:\u00a0 \u201cIn an effort to develop our managers in Shared Services, we are reaching out to our colleagues at other companies to find out if their Shared Service mid-level managers (managers below the top level of Shared Services leadership) have a structured meeting forum. Ultimately, we would like to speak with peers to better understand their approach to meeting structure, context, and development.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The first iPollingTM<\/sup> question asked about the frequency of a meeting between mid-level managers in a formal setting to discuss important issues related to Shared Services.\u00a0 While 61% of companies’ mid-level managers meet together at least monthly, 25% of companies’ formal meetings occur quarterly or less often. In 16% of the companies either no formal meeting takes place or they occur only on an ad hoc basis as a specific need arises.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

The second part of the iPollingTM<\/sup> question examined what the primary purpose was for mid-level manager meetings.\u00a0 The two biggest reasons cited were \u201cTo get everyone up to speed on important issues in Shared Services\u201d and \u201cTo share ideas and\/or make decisions on important issues in Shared Services\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 In 24% of the companies, the topic and reasons for holding the meeting often vary, with the primary underlying reason for this type of formal meeting being the recognition<\/a> of the importance for mid-level managers to get together on a regular basis.\u00a0 Interestingly, only 3% of the companies cited training and development as a primary reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"primary<\/p>\n

There is no disputing the fact that the mid-level\u00a0of management at Shared Services is critical to the overall success of the organization.\u00a0 Providing these leaders with a regular forum to interact and develop as a cohesive group can be an excellent investment in the future of the operation<\/a> and result in increased synergies across the entire organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are many of the comments added by iPollingTM<\/sup> participants:<\/span><\/p>\n