1. The Successful Operations Manager Tips, tricks, and ways to avoid losing your mind Cody March Oregon State University (541) 231-2124 cody. march@oregonstate.edu

2. What Does An Ops Person Do? In a word… EVERYTHING

3. What Does An Ops Person Do? THE OPERATIONS MGR CAN BE… The office manager The travel planner The accountant The statistician The organizer The film guy The philosopher The fashion designer The scheduler The event manager The empathetic listener The tough guy The problem solver The drama avoider

4. What Does An Ops Person Do? Full Time Staff Member, But Not A Coach We Don’t Coach, Recruit, Or Run Practices All The Behind-The-Scenes Stuff Basically… My job is to make it easier for my coaches to coach, and for my players to play.

5. How Does It Get Done? Important Traits & Characteristics – Organized – Time Manager / The Ability To Prioritize – Ability To Handle Pressure – Delegation (Managers, Other Staff, Etc)

6. Tips/Hints - Job Specifics Travel – Getting From Point A To Point B (Efficiently) – Ground Transportation Airport Destination Get To Know Your Drivers – Cell Phones, E-Mails, Etc – Make Them Your Friend

7. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Air Travel – The 2-Hour “Rule” – Know Your Airports (The “Home” Airport) – Check-In Ahead Of Time!!! – Research Alternate Schedules – Research Alternate Airports – Use Your “Elite” Benefits

8. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Other Travel Tips – Know Your Per Diem Rates & Who Makes Them – Hotel “Deal-Breakers” Wi-Fi, Parking, Meeting Room Rentals, Etc Get Everything In Writing – If Possible, Avoid 3 rd Party Travel Agents

9. Why Avoid 3 rd Parties? Arizona Bus Company – $3,100 – Full Itinerary Price – “…price went down a little this year…” The Travel Company – $3,700 – Full Itinerary Price – “…price went up this year…sorry…”

10. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Other Travel Tips – Bring Your Own A/V Equipment (If Needed) – Tip Your Bus Driver Yourself – LOYALTY Matters – Make A Contact Sheet

12. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Youth Camps – Independent Online Presence – Online Registration … No-Brainer And that “ability to handle pressure…”

13. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Youth Camps – Involve Your Team As Much As Possible – Clear Communication – Remember Your Purpose Fun, Safety, Positive Environment

14. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Home Events – Marketing – Marketing To Campus & Students – Work With Your Marketing Staff – Involve Your Team, Your Coaches, Your Sponsors

15. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Home Events – Visiting Teams & Presentation – Ensure Somebody Is Assigned To Visiting Teams – Know How You Want Your Facility To Look Make Sure Your Staff Knows Too!

16. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Equipment & Apparel – Order Early … Very Early And Be Prepared For Changes … Many Changes – Work With Your Equipment Staff – Get Player Input …(Within Reason)

17. Tips/Hints – Job Specifics Supervision & Leadership – A “Strict” Open-Door Policy It’s Useless If They Don’t Know Be Approachable – Show Care / Compliment / Say “Thanks” – Talk To Them About Something Besides Volleyball – “Line In The Sand” (You Aren’t Their Friend)

18. Non Sequitur – By Wiley Miller Cody March // Oregon State University (541) 231-2124 – Cell // (541) 737-7490 – Office cody.march@oregonstate.edu