If we talk about organization, delegation, measurement, assessment, communication and discipline, each critical components of an effectual file management system, we can see that all of these processes had a joint mechanism : tell your people what you expect them to do; Measure their accomplishment ; Give them feedback; and reward or discipline them as the case may be based on that accomplishment.

Now we must ask ourselves if all of the processes also had a common objective and a little consideration will tell you that the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Unquestionably the common objective is the fostering of a climate of accountability among our employees. Accountability, the attribute that makes the organization file system run smoothly, the thing that absorbs the difficulties along the way, yes accountability is truly the base of the wheel of document management. And accountability takes place because of the way we manage!

Perhaps this comes as a shock because the common misconception is that we look for workers who are accountable. Looking doesn’t work! We have to force them accountable, and making them accountable means that it is our responsibility! This is what document systems perform. So, sorry guys and gals, those of you who lament that your people are not accountable, well, suck it up since it is your fault!

Now this may seem harsh, and it is. It is because it is not hard to do all the things we have discussed, it just takes a little resolve to really be a manager, and a some effort to get the small amount of knowledge necessary. The worst part is that it is actually easier to manage well than it is to manage badly. If you take the time to learn the skills that we have discussed, it will be a weight off your mind since the things you have always wanted will actually start to happen.

The greatest reward about doing what I do is if one of my clients comes to me and says, “You actually gave me my life back. I was beating myself up the wall, earning less money than when I was employed, and you improved all that.” I don’t correct him even though I realize that it was Document Management Systems that actually changed all that, all I did was give the knowledge that he needed.

The best part about all this is that answerability also means profitability. This means that any Document Management System you make in receiving the knowledge to turn out to be a better system is repaid several fold by improvement of your own Document Management Systems. This must be one of the most unique of all chances, make your job easier, and make it more profitable. Good luck!