First, it's 'not' an opportunity to get rid of work. Delegation is gaining someone's cooperation to achieve a goal. It's an opportunity for the business owner/manager to empower the individual plus you could also inspire an employee to new levels of performance and responsibility. Encourage an employee in the delegation process.

Delegation can be a powerful tool and especially makes sense when one of your staff members enjoys it, is skilled in the area and is willing to take it on.

Five steps to effective delegation and motivation:

1. Examine your motive: what is the real reason you want to delegate this? Make sure you are not just getting rid of work but are also using this to teach, coach or inspire.

2. Define the task: clearly describe the purpose of the task or goal;

3. Set the Vision: explain to the employee that you have been noticing their performance and desire to provide them with an opportunity to take on new responsibility;

4. Clarify expectations: explain that if they have problems or need help, it is expected they will ask for support, clarification or assistance.

5. Assign the task: state in clear language what the task is, how you would like to see it done and set a completion date.

Three things that shouldn't be delegated:

• Strategy relating to the direction of the company;
  
  
• Development of the company;
  
  
• Image of the company.
  
  

These are decisions for senior management. I often see companies delegating its strategic direction to sales staff.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying the sales staff can't do it or that they shouldn't provide input.

The point I am making is, the person who has been active in the business the longest is generally the owner. They have the biggest picture and understand the implications of certain decisions. Besides, it is a distraction from what the sales staff are supposed to do, which is make sales! If they are busy with setting the strategy of a company, they can't be selling.

So use your sales staff for providing reports from the front lines, and listen carefully to what they are saying. Usually, they know what the customer wants.