People talk about the benefits of an open-door policy. Not everyone takes advantage of all the benefits, Traffic flows two ways through a door. Let them in. Get out on the shop floor. Get out of the building. LET THEM INMake sure employees know they can come to you with ideas and concerns. At one…
First, rather than go with the trend to continuously elongate acronyms, I’ll stick with JEDI for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. It’s beyond me how Belonging and Accessibility are not part of Equity and Inclusion. Besides, I like the “power” of the term JEDI. I can already see you waving your politically correct light saber…
“I thought you were my friend. I’ve already had a stroke on the job and now you’re trying to kill me.” It wasn’t the reaction I expected when I brought Tommy the wonderful news that he was getting a computer and access to the inventory system. I was there as a consultant, making continuous improvement…
Everyone can’t afford to work with hiring agencies or pay for applications. A manager of a credit union called me into her office and said, “What am I supposed to do? We’re overloaded with work. I need more help and posting a job got me more than a hundred resumes. How am I supposed to…
Many years ago, I worked for a large corporation. They had a division that increased business in a downturn and balanced the losses of other divisions. They had a “Cash Cow.” Over time, management evolved from guys who started as bag boys in stores to a team with little experience in the business but the…
I love Baseball! I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and we could only play softball. I was a pretty good outfielder. I wasn’t too bad at bat. There’s a lot that goes into being a successful player. With all the hard work and the best intentions, a player can swing and strike or…
I can hear you already, “C’mon! what the heck does that have to do with business?” If your couch is full of pillows, where do people sit? Go for purpose, not pillows. A story I heard, years ago, was about a startup looking for a second round of funding. Their first Investor was left sitting…
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide steps for addressing critical social, economic, and environmental challenges. Here are some benefits of aligning with the SDGs: More Customers: Many customers are looking for products and services from sustainable companies. Reduced Costs: Energy-efficient processes and waste reduction can lower your operational expenses. Satisfied Employees: Employees are…
Language can be a wonderful thing. At times, it’s an imperfect communication tool. If you’ve ever been puzzled by a response to something you wrote or said, you may be happy to have these tips: How much do your employees need to know to take the correct action? A 432-page manual that included a history…