Is Your Organization Engaged in Self-Sabotage?

Productivity is becoming more important every day. Fundamentally, it means doing much more with much less. And to be sure, there is scope for making, not only workers, but also the environment in which they work more efficient. You’ve probably noticed, for example, just how many organizations in both the public and private sectors waste…

Going-the-Extra-Mile-or-Taking-a-World-Cruise_Did-TQM-Turned-Perfectionism-into-a-Virtue

Going the Extra Mile, or Taking a World Cruise: Did TQM Turned Perfectionism into a Virtue?

Following the Second World War, the allies determined that if the enemy nations were going to be able to make meaningful contribution the world’s economies, then they would have to receive some assistance in rebuilding their manufacturing infrastructure. A particular challenge was to get the Japanese up to a point where they could actually compete…

Boost-Employee-Engagement

Boost Employee Engagement – 3 Questions to Ask

3 Questions You Must Ask to Boost Employee Engagement to Build a More Positive, Productive and Profitable Organization One of the key ingredients necessary to build stronger customer and workplace relationships involves keeping your employees engaged, motivated and happy. If your employees aren’t happy; employee engagement, productivity, and customer satisfaction will be diminished. In my…

Four-Ways-to-Lead-Through-Conflict

Four Ways to Lead Through Conflict

Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. – William E. Channing   French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas once had a heated quarrel with a rising young politician. The argument became so intense that a duel was inevitable. Since both men were superb shots they decided…

Employee-Recognition-More-frequently-Please-and-Link-it-to-Core-Value

Employee Recognition: More frequently, Please, and Link it to Core Values

Companies are turning to employee recognition as an internal strategy to boost employee engagement and positively impact such metrics as productivity, ROA, ROE, and retention of both employees and customers. For example, companies that have a formal strategic recognition program in place had a voluntary turnover rate (i.e. people choosing to leave) of 14%, vs.…

Onboarding_Make-sure-your-new-hires-are-‘all-aboard’

Onboarding: Make sure your new hires are ‘all aboard’

Remember those first-day of school jitters? You were nervous with anticipation and, as a result, probably slept very little wondering where your classes were and what your new teachers were like (stickler for rules or laid-back and fun)? That’s not even considering all the social issues that arise such as who would be in your…

Criticism_Behind-Closed-Doors-or-in-Plain-Sight

Criticism: Behind Closed Doors or in Plain Sight?

Nearly every company revolves around the central idea of team performance.  The synergy created by having multiple personalities and motivations can help any project be completed with efficiency and with quality results.  Naturally, there are some times when things may not go as smoothly as planned.  Indeed, if every effort always resulted in superior results,…

Hungry, hungry, HiPos – Feed your stars, or kiss them goodbye

Ahhh, I recall with sincere fondness the memory of playing certain childhood games.  Sorry, Monopoly, LIFE, and one of my personal favorites – Chutes and Ladders.  Now, each of these has messaging, or themes, that could be related in some fashion or another to Corporate America – risk/reward; entrepreneurial spirit; getting ahead with good deeds…

Setting-Company-Culture-means-Understanding-Employee-Motivation

Setting Company Culture means Understanding Employee Motivation

People in the business community love their clichés. “There’s no ‘I’ in team,” “work smarter, not harder,” and my personal favorite, “think outside the box”. Ugh. When it comes to describing a workplace culture, clichés are abundant here as well. With our open-door policies and expectations of giving 150% (how is this even possible?). These general statements…