RUNNING A BUSINESS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010, 11:34 A.M. ET.Guest Column
Impressing Your Employee's Better Half
As a business owner, you don't want employees who are only motivated to perform well so they can win a prize. You want employees who are motivated to perform well every day, no matter what carrot you're dangling in front of them. What you really need is a team of employees who are emotionally invested in your company. And to cultivate that, you need family support.
No amount of job awards can out-influence the main squeeze. You can offer praise and gifts left and right, but you won't see much improvement in your senior salesperson's performance if she goes home to a partner who says, "How much longer are you going to work for that jerk?"
To be sure, I'm not suggesting the average business owner is a jerk. It's just that the men and women your employees go home to at night have the power to motivate a small-business team far better and faster than you could.
Here's the key to winning over an employee's family: Start from day one. The first thing your newly hired staff member will likely hear from a significant other when he gets home is, "How was your first day?" If he spent it mostly filling out a three-foot stack of forms, ordering his own business cards and eating lunch alone, he might rightfully answer: "Lousy." His better half will quickly get down on your company, too, and hardly encourage the top-notch performance you want to see.
But what if your new recruit's first day is the opposite of tedious and lonely?
There's a full-proof way to get employees—and their loved ones at home—excited about working for your company from day one. First, you have a welcome party, complete with refreshments and a gift. As the boss, you would spend the entire day with the new hire, providing deeper insight about your company and industry. During this time, you'd find out what and who mattered most to him or her. Then, a large group of your staff members would go out for lunch to honor their new colleague.
At the end of the paperwork-free day (all the forms would be taken care of in advance), you would hand your new team member gifts to take home for the family—an Xbox game for the kids, or a spa gift certificate or golf lessons for their significant other—which you knew would be appreciated based on your conversation with this person earlier that day.
So, what happens if your new recruit comes home with a great story about his amazing first day, plus gifts? His better half will realize the opportunity he has—and she'll become the ultimate motivator, rather than detractor.
Keep in mind, there are many definitions of family. Your new employee may be single (or soon to be). It's your mission to find out who makes up his or her support system and give accordingly—perhaps a gift card for a night out with pals or a matinee with Mom.
When your employees hear daily words of encouragement from their closest confidantes like, "I can't believe how lucky you are to be working for that guy!" their motivation rises to levels you've never tapped before. It's worked for me in all of my companies. And even if you can't afford more than a home-baked cake or thank-you card, giving your new employees a best first day ever is the key to keeping them motivated for years to come.
About the Author
Mike Michalowicz is the author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur." He is an advocate of a business philosophy by the same name, believing the greatest business successes come from underfunded, inexperienced entrepreneurs. His website is www.ToiletPaperEntrepreneur.com .
******************************************************** http://dreamlearndobecome.blogspot.com This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment