I think that the most important key figure is the first line manager. The first line manager – the level of management between the non-management workforce and the rest of management (Cole.K 2005).

The importance of the first line manager is that he / she is the face of the organisation to all employees, subordinates, and various relevant outside contractors. If this role demonstrates poor planning skills and poor organisational skills, the morale and work performance of the employees of the company can be lost or diminished overnight.

The first line manager needs to communicate and understand very well the intentions and direction of the middle management, and also then be able to communicate very well with his / her subordinates, and work with them as a leader and coach / teacher.

The most effective way to set a good example of personal work planning / organisation is to work as a team, ask for and encourage ideas, good discussion and input from all subordinates, and empower workers with more responsibility.

By doing this, it not only gives the first line manager new ideas, good interaction with staff, and stronger support, but it also makes staff think that you care and that they are part of the big picture. This power of being able to have an input and feeling of belonging will have great positives effects on the organization from many angles.

‘If things are working leave them alone, if they are not then dig right in and find out what is going wrong’ (Gary Robinson, – The Director 1995) E-mails, letters, and any forms of expression when planning and organising must be done professionally, directly, and in a way that all can understand.

An example of good organisation for colleges and subordinates in the workplace / personal work planning is how our security company is writing our new company policy document. What we have done is gathered a group together comprising of senior security staff from different contracts, and asked them what they want in the policy, any ideas that they may have or been told from their lower staff and associates, and what they think may benefit the company in the future.

This document encompasses good personal work planning (future intentions and work related procedures), good organising of what will occur throughout the company in the future and who will be a part of each process, and then this when ready is distributed to all company staff on the same day.

Because this whole process is efficient at this level, and is done with good competence, then these senior staff / first line managers practice these same skills in their work place. So then the chance of achieving great results across the board by using these skills is high and the company will always benefit.

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