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ORLANDO, Fla. - Management functions in O&P take on a number of different roles, according to Russell Hornfisher, MBA, director of sales and marketing for Becker Orthopedic, who discussed four of those roles - hiring, training, coaching and firing - at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium.

"Management is a function of human resources," Hornfisher said. "On the winning team, the leaders pass out the accolades to those around them rather than taking it themselves."

When it comes to hiring employees, he offered attendees some advice regarding what questions are not only appropriate, but legal. For example, it is illegal to ask questions regarding U.S. citizenship or even something as seemingly innocent as personal hobbies.

"You can ask it if it is part of the job description," he said explaining how important it is to make sure that job descriptions are detailed and will allow you to properly evaluate your job candidates. "Job description and qualifications are very important. That's what you have to fall back on."

He also offered advice to business owners and managers who have troublesome employees: "What you have been, is what you're going to be."

In dealing with situations where reprimands are necessary, Hornfisher advised offering positive feedback with the negative and to make "corrections in private; praise in public."

"Learning requires making mistakes," he said warning that repeated problems need to be dealt with efficiently. "If it becomes a pattern, [then] it is a problem."

He urged attendees to investigate the problems as they arise. Measuring performance more regularly could also combat these situations, he said.

"If you're not measuring performance, you can't manage it," he said.

He suggests meeting with employees once every quarter and not tying pay increases to these reviews. Instead, review the quarterly information when it is time to talk about pay changes.

"No one should be surprised when they get cut," he said. - by Jennifer Hoydicz