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By Lorraine Pirihi
What is the no. 1 asset in your business beside yourself? It`s your people.
Then why is it they often fall to the bottom of the list when it comes to
doing anything to help them improve their performance and look after them?
If you want your business to run more effectively and/or make more money then
you must invest time and energy into your no. 1 asset otherwise you will
eventually lose them.
The Physiotherapists` Practice
With four of us in the family who are all into health and fitness, we have
been going to this particular practice for the past few years.
The actual environment is lovely, however there seems to be a high turnover of
physiotherapists. It`s only a small practice yet it seems that apart from the
owner and one other physio. who looks after us, the rest seem to come and go
fairly quickly.
I can easily see what the problem is. It`s the owner. He lacks fundamental
communication and business skills. Sure he knows his `stuff` about how to
help someone heal their body but he is sorely missing basic skills in
leadership and managing his own staff.
The funny thing is he has a `Mission Statement` in his office stating "Our
people are our number one asset". How often have you seen this in businesses
around the country? Quite often the opposite is true.
If this business owner`s people were his no. 1 asset then he should have got
the message by now, that with the high turnover of staff, there is one common
problem…him!
I have spoken to him on a number of occasions suggesting he invest some time
with us as not only can we help him be more effective with his people but
also show him how easily he can make more money. Unfortunately (for him) he
thinks he knows everything.
Not only is this business owner sadly lacking in leadership, business and
communication skills, his people are the same.
Sure, they`re nice enough to talk too, however they would be so much more of
an asset to this practice if they had on-going development. And that
development has to come from outside the practice.
Because no-one is aware of how they can run this practice more effectively,
heaps of time is wasted, potential business is lost, not to mention how
stressful all this is on everyone involved.
Show Them You Care
Many good people leave because they are unappreciated. They are taken for
granted.
When I ask new clients how often they get together with their people on an
individual or group basis to discuss their performance get their perspective
on how they find their jobs and how to improve things, a common response is
"it`s something I`ve been meaning to do".
I often hear the comment "I must do Jane`s performance appraisal. I should
have done it weeks ago BUT (here comes the well-worn excuse) I`VE BEEN SO
BUSY!!!"
Jerry`s Story
Jerry is the Head of Department in an educational institution. He was
headhunted to this position one year ago. He was made many promises including
having his own personal assistant as he would be responsible for 5 team
members.
The Principal promised a salary review in six months and flexibility in his
working hours. Jerry was informed there would be some after hour`s activities
involved but these would be minimal.
Ten months later Jerry had no personal assistant. He had to do every single
administrative task himself. He spent more time addressing the needs of his
team at the detriment of his other responsibilities.
Extra curricular activities ate up an extra 12 hours a week on top of the 50
hours he spent at school just to stay on top of the workload! He couldn`t
take time off in lieu for the additional hours he worked as his department
was already understaffed. Overtime wasn`t part of his salary package.
Jerry had constantly spoken to the Principal who agreed to lighten his load
but hadn`t taken the necessary action to do so! Lack of action from one
person often forces the other to react and take control.
Jerry had enough! He tendered his resignation a few weeks ago and is now a
free agent. The Principal from his old school promised Jerry that he would
make the changes he so desperately wanted. Unfortunately for the Principal,
the staff and in turn the students, it was too late. Jerry had enough. He had
decided to take control of his situation and not be reliant on the actions of
others.
He is so much happier. His health and personal relationships have improved
dramatically. Jerry has already been offered another position which will be
less demanding.
The Final Word
Planning time with your team members on an individual level should occur on a
weekly or fortnightly basis. Schedule this meeting into your diary and do not
let anything else take precedence.
Listen to your people and where necessary take immediate action because the
price you ultimately pay for your inaction may not be worth it.
Expose them to new ideas and different ways of thinking. Take them to seminars
and business breakfasts and have them mix with other people.
Organise speakers to come into your workplace and share with you how to
communicate effectively, how to be the best you can be, dress for
success…anything that will stimulate, motivate and be useful. Yes, these are
the `soft skills` not the technical ones.
If you and your people are stimulated, motivated and provoked into action on a
regular basis, then you`ll find not only will morale lift, you will become
more creative and perform more effectively…all of which has a direct impact
on your profitability.
Lead from the front!
Take action today!
Patty Baldwin is a former Better Business Bureau executive and the owner of
several online businesses. A successful net marketer, she invites you to
visit any one of her sites at:
http://www.allbizservices.com (http://www.allbizservices.com)
http://www.4bstrading.com (http://www.4bstrading.com)
http://www.allbizwealth.com (http://www.allbizwealth.com)
patty@allbizservices.com (mailto:patty@allbizservices.com)
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