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Vol. 2 No. 5 September 1999 ======================================================= IN THIS ISSUE 2. HOW TO MAKE YOUR VISION COME ALIVE 4. ACTION STEPS - HOW TO SUCCEED FASTER 5. HUMOR BREAK 6. HOW TO GET YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED 7. FREE STUFF AND SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER 8. CONTACT INFORMATION ======================================================= REALITY CHECK It is very hard to get off your high horse gracefully. —Unknown ======================================================= 1. HOT STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW ======================================================= WE'VE GOT TO STOP SENDING MESSAGES LIKE THIS According to a study by Pitney Bowes employees send and receive 201 messages of all types per day. Up from 190 last year, and 172 in 1997. SOLUTION: Chunk responding to messages. For example, answer all Emails as a last thing before you go home. That way you'll spend less time on it.
SUGGESTION BOXES WORK Most companies have given up on suggestion boxes. However, if you use them correctly, they help you and your company succeed faster. HERE IS HOW: 1. Establish a suggestion quota. At Dana Corp. . . .a Toledo, Ohio auto-component maker . . . every employee is expected to submit two ideas per month. 2. Make it easy. Establish an Email suggestion box or a designated 800 number. 3. Respond within 24 hours. Provide the originator with an expected high speed time line and then stick to it. 4. Share the savings. Giving employees a portion of the savings, motivates them to look for more money saving ideas. 5. Celebrate. Publicly recognize the three best suggestions every months. Also award a "booby" price for ideas that were not implemented. Lets employees know that all ideas are important. Does it work? Dana was about to install automated equipment to speed the production of a bracket press. An employee suggested that instead the press be relocated closer to him. Cost $500. Savings $130,000 plus production was doubled. As seen in The Wall Street Journal, p. 1, Feb. 9, 1999.
VISION IS THE THING The year was 1940 and Charles E. Merrill, standing in an office in New York not much bigger than a closet, shared his vision with his two employees: "Merrill Lynch will be one of the finest and most profitable financial services company with offices all around the world." Today Merrill Lynch has offices in 43 countries with assets of $2 billion and a return on equity of 20% each year for the past 5 years. HEADS UP: What is your vision for your company? And how many of your team members know it by heart? (For more see below.) ======================================================= 2. HOW TO MAKE YOUR VISION COME ALIVE by Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP ======================================================= Dear Wolf, We rolled out our mission about a year ago with a great deal of fanfare. Today, it's all but forgotten. What can I do to make it work for us? - Disillusioned
Dear Disillusioned, Mission statements, corporate vision or philosophy statements . . . just about every company has one. Yet very few have figured out how to make them come alive . . . how to define corporate values that truly guide employees actions and motivate them to extraordinary performance.
From my experience, the primary reason that mission statements do not work is that companies have not installed an execution strategy. Here are a few specific examples to help you make your mission come alive. The Granite Rock and Nucor examples are from J. Collins, "Turning Goals Into Results: The Power of Catalytic Mechanisms." Harvard Business Review 77, no. 4 (1999): 71 - 82.
AQUAGUARD: Provides waterproofing services Vision: "To consistently exceed our customers' expectations and become the standard by which all waterproofing companies are measured."
Execution: Aquaguard conducts a series of follow up calls. The first is used to evaluate how well the job was done. That information is tracked, made public and used to achieve continuous quality improvement. The most important call is made right after a major rain storm. (Their competitors prefer to hide during this time.) If there is any problem they fix the problem, no questions asked.
Results: Shut down telemarketing department in 1997 (not in accordance with their philosophy). In 1998 increased sales by 28%, with 46% fewer employees and 48% lower costs.
GRANITE ROCK: Sells crushed gravel, concrete, sand and asphalt Vision: "Granite Rock will provide total customer satisfaction and achieve a reputation for service that meets or exceeds that of Nordstrom."
Execution: "Short Pay." The bottom of every invoice reads: "If you are not satisfied for any reason, don't pay us for it. Simply scratch out the line item, write a brief note about the problem and return a copy of this invoice along with your check for the balance."
Results: They continue to gain market share, charge 6% premium price, pretax return of about 10%.
NUCOR CORPORATION: Manufactures steel Vision: "To be an organization whose workers and management share the common goal of being the most efficient, high quality steel operation in the world, thereby creating job security and corporate prosperity in an industry ravaged by foreign competition."
Execution: Front line employees work in self directed teams of 20-40 people which are compensated as follows: => Hourly base pay is 25 to 33% below the industry average. => A bonus of 80 to 200% of base pay is paid weekly to all teams that meet or exceed productivity goals. Productivity rankings are posted daily. => Employees who are five minutes late, lose their bonus for the day. Those who are 30 minutes late, lose their bonus for the week. => Products returned for poor quality result in a proportionate decrease in bonus pay.
Results: Nucor is more than twice as productive as their competitors. Specifically Nucor produces a ton of steel in 45 minutes versus three hours for the big steel makers. Nucor's employees are paid 60% more than other employees in the industry.
For additional strategies of how to make your vision come alive see: W. J. Rinke, Winning Management: 6 Fail-Safe Strategies for Building High-Performance Organizations, Achievement Publishers, 1997, 800-828-9653 or http://www.WolfRinke.com ------------------------------------------------------ Like your management or personal effectiveness question answered in this column? Have suggestions regarding this eNewsletter? Mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com. ------------------------------------------------------- REALITY CHECK Vision is the art of seeing things invisible. - Jonathan Swift ------------------------------------------------------- ** Don't miss our special pre-publication offer and SAVE!!! ** (See the FREE STUFF AND SPECIAL OFFER section below) ======================================================= by Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP ======================================================= According to a recent study, stress has become more severe, for all of us, but especially women, than ever before. Even though some stress is good for us, for example the excitement (stress) you experience when you are getting ready to go on vacation or start a new project. Lots of stress, especially the type that you experience when you feel out of control, is bad for us (dysfunctional stress). It turns on your flight or fight response, causing your body to produce more adrenaline, cortisol and hormones which increase your blood pressure and pulse, tense your muscles and diminish the effectiveness of your immune system. Dysfunctional stress will lead to fatigue, frequent headaches and upset stomach. Long term stress contributes to chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and memory loss. It may also lead to family breakdowns and injuries especially on the job. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: => Forty percent of employees rate their jobs as "very or extremely stressful" => Twenty five percent consider their job their "No. 1 stressor" => Employees that experience heavy stress at work experience 50% higher health care costs and significantly higher levels of absenteeism. Since none of us can escape stress, here are 13 strategies that you can use to manage stress more effectively:
1. Change the changeable. One way you can do that is to recognize that you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Alright you caught me, there is one thing: you have to die. No choice not yet. Everything else in your life is a choice. (Yes even paying taxes. In fact the more you pay the better you're off. So smile when you pay your taxes.) Get rid of the words "I have to..." It generates "victim" behavior patterns. And victims experience dysfunctional stress. Remember: "If it's to be it's up to me."
2. Remove yourself from the unacceptable. If you hate your job start shopping for a job that will enable you to build on your strengths, NOW. In the US 25% of all employees hate their job, 56% are neutral about it and only 19% love it. And the latter are the people who consistently succeed faster. On the other hand people who hate their job will never be excellent at it, no matter how long they work at it. You are not doing yourself, your coworker or your boss any favors by putting up with a job you hate. So make a plan today, then work the plan.
3. Accept the unchangeable. There are lots of things beyond your control. For example, "jerks" that cut you off on the highway. Instead of letting it stress you, move out of their way and let them do what they feel they need to do. Your parents. No matter how much you would like them to be different, they won't be. So love them the way they are, not the way they ought to be. (By the way, a great prescription for getting along with all people!) Getting older. Accept it. You are beautiful just the way you are! A wise person once remarked: "God doesn't make junk."
4. Hang out with positive people. Negative people drain your battery. Positive people charge your battery. So minimize the time that you are together with "stinking thinking" people. That's the folks who see the glass not just half empty, they see it dirty too. Remember: "Don't let negative people live in your head rent free."
5. Recognize that you are not your job. Although we define much of who we are by what we do, you are a lot more than your job. For example, you get paid what you are worth in the market place. Getting little pay does not mean that you are not a worthy person. In fact you may be the most worthy parent or spouse on this planet.
6. Get your life in balance. Recognize that the most important things in life are relationships not stuff! So make time for the real important things in your life: your spouse, your children, your parents and your friends.
7. Reduce your commuting time. If you are commuting more than one hour a day it's time to move. One hour a day means that you are wasting about 30 working days per year. Plus you are already stressed by the time you get to work. (If you must commute get in the habit of listening to motivational and educational audio tapes.)
8. Find a boss that has mastered the art of managing by appreciation. It's time to look for a new boss, or at least stay away from your boss, if you report to someone who constantly "builds you down."
9. Move your body. We've made our lives too simple. Make it more difficult for yourself by parking in the furthest spot on the parking lot, taking the stairs, mowing your own lawn, walking to the store and so on.
10. Exercise. Do approximately 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day such as jogging, biking or fast walking (Aerobic means you get your heart pumping. You know you are doing well when you are sweating even on a cold day.) Alternate with resistance exercises like lifting weights, or doing a "gym" machine. Be sure to warm up before starting and end up with a comprehensive stretch routine.
11. Eat a balanced diet. Eat a wide variety of food, especially salads, vegetables, fruits, pasta and whole grain breads. Cut back on protein foods and especially fats. Remember fats have more than twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates.
12. Get at least eight hours of sleep a day. If you find you don't have eight hours, reduce TV viewing by one hour per day. (Good advice even if you get enough sleep.) That will give you, are you ready for this, 15 extra days a year. Just think how much fun stuff you could do if you had 15 extra days.
13. Manage priorities. You can't manage time. We all get the same 24 hours every day. But you can manage priorities. (Have you ever noticed that all of us MAKE time for all the important things in our lives.) So each day figure out what your high pay off items are and do them when you are at your best. For most of us that's in the morning. And don't forget to make vacation and play time a priority. ------------------------------------------------------- REALITY CHECK
DOCTORS AWAY When life is childhood, There is a slogan, "An apple a day Keeps doctors away."
When life is adult, There is a slogan, "Many laughs each day Keeps doctors away."
When life is older, To jiggle, wiggle, Giggle everyday Keeps doctors away. — Deborah Louise Morgan Martin ======================================================= by Wolf J. Rinke, PhD, CSP ======================================================= SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY Tomorrow, analyze your calendar to figure out how much time you are spending with your team members and your customers. If it is less than 70 percent set up an action plan to increase the time you spend with your team members and customers by 5 percent each month until you reach an average of 70 percent.
PIN IT DON'T NIP IT For the next 21 days, make it a practice to apply the PIN technique whenever you are confronted with something to which you would normally react negatively. (First look for something Positive, then for that which is Interesting or Innovative and lastly for the downside, the Negative. This might be a "weird" idea promulgated by a team member, a strange manner of dressing by your teenage child, or an unusual vacation idea promoted by your significant other. Catch yourself any time you react negatively by consciously acknowledging it, and then reverse yourself by PINing it.
STOP WORRYING When you catch yourself worrying, ask yourself: What will happen or change if I worry real well? If the answer is nothing, quit doing it! You are worrying about something over which you have absolutely no control. ======================================================= 5. HUMOR BREAK ======================================================= A man flying in a hot air balloon realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots someone down below. He lowers the balloon and shouts, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised my friend I would meet him half an hour ago, but I don't know where I am." The man below replies, " You are in a hot air balloon, hovering approximately 30 feet above this field. You are between 40 and 42 degrees North latitude, and between 58 and 60 degrees West longitude." "You must be an engineer," says the balloonist. "I am," replies the man. "Everything you have told me is technically correct, but I don't know what to do with your information, and the fact is I am still lost." The man below says, "You must be a manager" "I am", replies the balloonist, "how did you know?" "Well," says the man, "You don't know where you are, or where you are going. You have a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in the exact same position you were in before we met, but now it is somehow my fault." ======================================================= 6. HOW TO GET YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED ======================================================= High employee turnover? **** Low customer satisfaction? Unproductive employees? ** Low morale? ** Lack of trust? Resistance to change **** Poor communication?
Our high impact consulting services and customized management and personal development training will solve these and other "people" problems! Call us at 800-828-9653 or mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com to
*********Tired of the same boring meetings? ********* Would you like your next meeting, retreat or conference to be a "howling success"? Contact Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP. He is a highly effective keynote speaker and seminar leader who delivers customized presentations that combine story telling, humor and motivation with specific "how to" action strategies that participants can apply immediately to improve the quality of their personal and professional lives. Call him at 800-828-9653 or mailto:WolfRinke@aol.com ======================================================= 7. FREE STUFF AND SPECIAL OFFER ======================================================= SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER NEW! * NEW * NEW * Perpetual Calendar * NEW! * NEW * NEW MAKE It a Winning Life by Wolf J. Rinke, Ph.D.
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For FREE articles, inspirational messages and other money saving offers on books, audio and video tapes that will help you and your company succeed FASTER visit our website: http://www.WolfRinke.com ======================================================= 8. CONTACT INFORMATION ======================================================= Dr. Wolf J. Rinke, CSP President Wolf Rinke Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 350 Clarksville, MD 21029-0350 USA (410) 531-9280, Fax (410) 531-9282 For orders in the US (800) 828-WOLF (9653)
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