My first book ‘The Manager’s Guide to Conducting Interviews’ is seven years old now! It seemed like a good idea to write the next one. Sufficient time has passed to erase the memory of the excruciation pain of creating a new book. The blank page, the flashing cursor, the ticking clock and the rumble of approaching deadlines. But as Douglas Adams said “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by” – with apologies to my future Editor!
Continue readingCategory Archives: Perform
Do you recognise these experiences?
The Operations role is a special one. They are responsible for fulfilling the Client’s expectations and their employer’s need for revenue to keep the organization active. Whether you are processing mortgage applications, processing requests for test kits or writing software, if you have people operating a process, then that’s operations. Enjoy the video!
Continue readingNew Year’s Resolutions
I am a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. (My Editor complains I write about this every year – I know but I think it’s important!) It isn’t just that they help you achieve something you might not otherwise; they make you review the last year and form a wish list for the next. In the “good old days” we had more time. First thing you wandered around and made sure everything was running well. The post arrived at 11 so time to sit down and respond before lunch. You could start work on that long term project straight after lunch. Doesn’t describe a typical working day in 2021 does it? It is a good thing that we are more connected with what is going on. We are on the “front-line” much more of the day. The blessing of email means that every fifteen minutes there may be something important buried in the “CC” mail, so you have to check don’t you.
Continue readingA Seasonal Tale
Like everyone else, the World Elf Service has to consider adapting to today’s conditions. The disappearing ice cap at the North Pole is obviously a major environmental threat and the Strategic Wellie Reserve is being expanded aggressively. However, world economics need careful thought to ensure WES continues to provide its unique brand of Christmas service for ever. In every organization the question to be answered is managing the Balance sheet. Can sales revenue be maintained or are cost cutting measures necessary?
Continue readingA Day In The Life
A survey of motivation management at the UK Division of US Jan We interviewed the UK CEO to find out his views. What is your view of the people that work for you? Our people are our greatest asset. There are a few backsliders, there always are. I care about everyone so we never act hastily. A good bunch and I always tell them that. How do you reward people who shine? Our HR department has a highflyers’ programme – the HFPs. Our HR manager always picks them. I know the choice is right because a lot are headhunted soon after completing the programme. Do you have any other reward schemes? Yes. The bonuses are good. I do not just give that away you understand, I have to get value for money. Sadly, it seems that our people are not prepared to put in that extra effort to make the bonus. All I hear from our Ops manager is a constant string of excuses.
Continue readingThe Inspirational Art Of Motivation Management
There is a world of difference between the “administration of things” and the “management of people”. Managing people is about the management of people’s motivation, to make them more willing to behave in a way that supports the organization. It is about the performance of the organization. Good motivation management changes the business relationship between employees and employer. It changes it from doing as little as possible for the pay, to the person wanting to do as much as possible. Of course, people come in all shapes and sizes, all varieties of willingness. It is true that an unwilling person can be made willing through good management. Sadly, the reverse is also true and much more prevalent.
Continue readingMoney
Go back in history far enough and you reach a time when groups, tribes were self-sufficient: hunter-gatherers eating meat and berries. As civilisation advanced, goods started to be traded between groups on a barter basis. Most of the goods were still consumed by the people that produced them. They had a desire to create good quality produce, both for their own consumption and for their trade. The growth of trade and commerce led to the invention of an advanced bartering system – money. Most people still consumed their own produce and traded the surplus. Mistress Goodchild was pleased to sell a few loaves in her village, particularly as everyone knew her loaves were the best.
Continue readingWhat Are You Doing?
Whatever your job, solopreneur or employee, you only have 24 hours a day to achieve something. I’ve had line management jobs where finding the time for a bathroom break is a major issue! I know there are plenty of people in that same situation today. When we talk about our time, what we really mean is what we get done in that time. Time management is about managing your personal energy and working as effectively as possible. That 24 hours is all you have to work, rest and play. You do need time to recharge your personal energy through sleep, through personal relationships and a change of scenery helps sometimes. Are you one of those people working regular 70 hour weeks? I understand why you do it. There is always more to do and in today’s economic climate it takes much more work to get a sale.
Continue readingSimply Not Good Enough
In the world of business and, increasingly, in public organizations, 99% as good as the best is simply not good enough. The winner is remembered and gets 80% of the business while the runners up share the rest. World class performance is about having that small advantage and using it well time after time. Not that I’m suggesting one small advantage will keep you in front for very long. Your advantage needs to be one that continually renews, expands and refreshes. No time to rest on your laurels here.
Continue readingRaising The ROI
To lift the performance of your organization you must know where you are starting. We need to test where you are. Let me give you a thought experiment you can do in two minutes without moving from your chair. Imagine you are addressing the workforce to say that trading conditions are difficult, and profitability is down. How do you think your staff would react? Would they dismiss what you said as a preliminary to the next pay review? Or would they come back at you asking what needs to be done, how they can help?
Continue reading