how should you deal with managers who are so married to their budgets that dont allow to spend $1 to make $10

Answer 1

those managers just want to go the safe way to make money. you sound like you are proposing a risky investment that the company can make 10 dollars from $1. If the investment fails, the managers will be taking the blame, so they just won't do it. And I don't believe that you are guarantee to make those money, otherwise everyone will be rich.

Answer 2

Those are all good answers above but they all presume that the manager is doing that on his/her own. They also presume that the manager has a budget line item for revenue and stands to get credit for an increase in revenue.

If the Corporate Policy is to keep expenses in line, there's probably nothing you can do about it. That may not make sense but making sense is not a prerequisite to running a business.

If the additional $1 expense in your manager's budget causes an additional $10 revenue in someone else's budget, your manager stands to get beat up while the other manager is a hero.

Looking at the big picture, none of this makes sense but, like I said before, there's no rule saying that it has to.

Answer 3

There are several ways to approach this question:
1. Objective data does not support that the investment is warranted.
2. The managers do not have the authority to deviate from the budget
3. Top management is not aware of the proposal

Answer 4

Sounds to me like they need to be replaced. You might have to step over their heads to the next level, and put a bug in their ear. It doesn't seem logical to not allow that sort of thing to occur considering the pay back involved, but they probably have their reasons. It might be something to discuss at your next company meeting if you have one. Don't come across rudely, but state the facts basing your case in the fact the $1 would bring the company that big of a return. Another thing to keep in mind is that if managers go over their budgets it often affects their bonuses. Point to ponder!!

Answer 5

Learn some NLP, read "How to influence people and make friends" then apply their principles. Figure out what these managers like to hear and see. SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE. Identify their behavioural patterns, what they like and dislike in presentations. Research and find quantitative proof (graphs, graphics, statistics etc) to support your case to investment. Show ROI (return on investment)!!! then present your case.

If they still cant smell your 'coffee', then go make it yourself. Sometimes, by doing something yourself and showing it works is the best way to get their attention. How they refuse something that works and make money?

If they still dont like your idea, there lies an opportunity for you to leave and develop your own business ;-)

Answer 6

Write a proposal to your manager about your needs and how it will profit/benefit the company and cc it to the your manager's boss or HR dept. It sounds time-consuming and ridiculous, but if you take the time to formally present why you need the items requested, your manager will probably realize how ridiculous he/she is being!

Answer 7

This sound like the kinda guy that has a bad business sence and needs to get fired. I think that you should somehow something like that on tape then show the footage to his boss and 99 outa 100 times he'll get fired. If you can't get it on tape then just go to his boss right away and see if you can get him to believe you on your word alone. It helps it your known as a truthfull worker.