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Knowing the Numbers Makes All the Difference

February 04, 2010

Most often, the teams that excel are teams that understand the power of accountability. When they know the numbers they are trying to hit and can chart their progress every step of the way. Knowing the numbers makes all the difference.

Sales teams tend to very numbers driven. Accountability comes into focus at the end of every week when the numbers are totaled. The weekly numbers turn into monthly, then quarterly and…well, you get the picture. But sales teams aren’t the only ones that can use the key of accountability to excel.

Wednesday Appreciation: Facetime With The Big Cheese

February 03, 2010

For many employees, the best reward is knowing their actions are being noticed – by you and by others in senior positions.
   
Consider rewarding a great employee by taking her along on your next meeting with senior management. Speak about the projects the employee is working on and her contributions to your team’s success.
   
You’ll not only garner loyalty from your employee, but you’ll be seen as a nurturing team player by your bosses.

Dancing Management

February 02, 2010

At a conference this month in Birmingham, England I met the most interesting man. Christopher Head is a lawyer and his firm specializes in employment law in the UK. Their slogan is “Solving People Problems”.  But that isn’t what makes Christopher interesting. It is that he dances. And not just any dance: the Argentine TANGO.

Here is how he explains the dance itself:

The Biggest Motivator of Employees is…

January 28, 2010

At the beginning of every year, Harvard Business Review publishes (compiled in cooperation with the World Economic Forum) a great article on the top breakthrough ideas for 2010, or the “10 fresh solutions we believe would make the world better.“ The first question asked was “What really motivates workers?“  In a survey, more than 600 managers ranked five workplace factors commonly considered significant—recognition, incentives, interpersonal support, support for making progress, and clear goals—according to their impact on employee motivation. And the winner is?

Wednesday Appreciation: Sharing The Wealth

January 27, 2010

At this airline, besides company parties, profit sharing, and employee recognition, Continental has a program where employees with perfect attendance are entered in a raffle to win a new Ford Explorer. (Talk about driving performance forward!)

Three Qualities of a Good Hire: Advice from Warren Buffet

January 26, 2010

In looking for people to hire, you should look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy.  And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.—Warren Buffet

When one of the most brilliant managers and investors of all time speaks, we should listen. Aren’t was always on the lookout for great talent? I know there are times, in interviews, when I’ve been swept away by a candidate’s background, the last project they worked on and sometimes even their family reputation. Mr. Buffet reminds us that we can never forget, first and foremost, we have to have integrity in all our business dealings. He is right. Without it, nothing else matters.

If you have been a manager for any length of time, you’ve probably hired someone with qualities that impressed you enough to seal the deal. It happened to me. I found a man who had great smarts. He was known for his intellect, his high IQ and his connections within the organization. He seemed to have great energy. He was two and oh for what Warren Buffet cited as required in a good hire. It seemed to be a good fit on paper, so we gave it a shot.

Promotions: A Celebration

January 21, 2010

Have you ever been promoted and no one knew but you? What about any of your employees? There are milestones in our careers that need to be celebrated and being promoted is one of them. When it is done right, it not only motivates the person being promoted but the entire team. Don’t miss this opportunity to build excitement and you’ll motivate everyone involved…if you do it right.

We’ve all seen it done right and we’ve all seen it done wrong. Here are some ideas for a great experience:

Wednesday Appreciation: Recognize One Person Every Week

January 20, 2010

When planning recognition, some managers worry about offending an employee or leaving someone out. So they opt to “recognize everyone” as a group. These managers not only end up alienating the stars that make a difference, but reinforcing the behavior of their average and poor performers.
   
Instead of serving up mass praise to your work group, try this: Put together a chart of all your people and recognize one person in each weekly staff meeting until you have publicly recognized them all. Don’t just recognize for “overall greatness,” but for specific behaviors that are important to you and your organization.
   
When you start recognizing people, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is and how nobody feels left out. You’ll also find yourself recognizing faster (even on the spot) for the “right” behaviors. In most cases, you’ll also notice your employees recognizing each other and vying for more of your recognition.

Three: The Key to a Great Meeting

January 19, 2010

We all have meetings on a regular basis. And I am always amazed at how few meetings are really very effective. We get in the same room, about the same time each week and go through the agenda (if there is one). Before long, heads are bowed, BlackBerrys and iPhones come out and interest lags. It becomes pretty clear not much is going to get done.

So for effective meetings, I like the RULE of THREE.

Do You Have Invisible Employees on Your Team?

January 14, 2010

Adrian and I are excited to announce that we have updated and added tons more content to The Invisible Employee and released a second edition with John Wiley. It was released officially on December 30, but we’re having some great promotions today and tomorrow for anyone who buys the book. Here are all the details:

Buy the second edition of The Invisible Employee on Jan. 14 or 15, and we’ll immediately send you these valuable tools:

*World’s Greatest Managers Audio Lesson: Chester interviews some of the world’s most successful CEOs and business leaders. It’s like stealing the playbook of the masters!
*A Carrot A Week: Receive a free subscription to 52 practical suggestions on how to provide meaningful recognition—tips you can apply today.
*Global Carrots: Heading on a business trip? Managing employees from other lands? Learn how to say “thank you” in dozens of languages.

Buy one copy and we’ll send you these resources. Buy 5 copies for your team and receive all these resources, a Garrett the Carrot plush Carrot, and a complimentary copy of the Wall Street Journal bestseller A Carrot A Day—365 recognition ideas for every day of the year.

Simply forward your e-receipt, dated today or tomorrow (Jan. 14 or 15), from Amazon or Barnes & Noble to and we’ll send you your stuff at no charge!

For more information on the book, check out this month’s newsletter found here.