Bresnahan's Shorts* - May 2005

*Short topics

Questions for Managers

If you are a manager, it is always good to assess yourself from an employee point of view. We know your manager is assessing your success as you fulfill the company's needs and make him/her look good. In a time when good employees may be looking for another job or getting ready to look when the economy has turned around, ask yourself these questions.

• Am I clear about what I expect?
• Have I provided opportunities for growth?
• Have I provided opportunities for additional training?
• Have I provided refresher courses?
• Do I provide an opportunity for decision making?
• Have I discussed career opportunities or routes to pursue advancement?
• Have I provided good working conditions? Are they safe? Are the necessary resources available?
• Am I reasonable in my expectations and requests?
• Do I regularly provide feedback? Am I available and willing to listen?
• Do I give praise when a good job has been done?

If you answer "no" to any of these, it is time to reassess your behavior and have a talk with your employee(s). If you answer "no" to five or more, maybe management is not the best place for you or you need to learn about being a leader people want to follow or move to a technical position.

For employees, consider these questions with your manager in mind. If s/he is falling short, you may wish to sit down and talk with him/her about your needs. If they can't be satisfied then consider your options.

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Developing a Winning Value Proposition

Take a cross-functional team made up of your best and brightest to the customer site and observe what happens. Observe the calm and chaos that exists. Spend time with the people and management team. Then take them off-line and ask them to explain what drives their behaviors. Dig until you fully understand the consequences (economic and intangible) of those less-than-perfect behaviors. If you can fix those imperfections that is the benefit that could be included in your value proposition. Excerpted from The Forum, Summer 2004 "Take Your Value Proposition to the Bottom Line", Eric Berggren & Stefanie Zucker

It seems to the Bresnahan Group that the same practice can be used in your organization. The best service and products always come from organizations that are functioning at their best. Other companies have returns, rework, scrap, poorer quality, absenteeism and turnover that are at higher than optimal levels. On a scale of 0 - 10 where would you say your employees' production is? The Bresnahan Group can facilitate for you.

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Thoughts to Ponder

"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." - Napoleon Hill

"Don't go through life, GROW through life." - Eric Butterworth

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Back to Basics

"Hug someone like you mean it. Squeeze and let them know you care." Thank you, P. J. Hamann

As I review the childhood sayings remembered by friends, I recall writing in June 2004 about being thankful. I could repeat that column now. That column was a result of some surgery I had. The result was a cure and positive prognosis. This year, my husband and I had a rough winter when a procedure he had did not go particularly well. The result was a staph infection. After three months of recuperation, all has turned out OK and we realize things could have been a lot worse. With that challenge in mind, I chose this month's saying.

Often we take things for granted until something unfortunate happens. When I wrote that column last June I mentioned a friend's son who had been deployed to Iraq. Well, I can thankfully write that this soldier has returned home safely. You bet, I gave him a hug!

Overlooking the importance of people and situations happens everyday in our lives. It sure is refreshing to take a new look at people and all we have. It is a little hard to hug the wonderful opportunities and comforts that we have but we certainly can be grateful.

Many times in my work, I hear people complaining about their work environment. There are many reasons for that. Sometimes everyone is so frazzled with what they have to do that they can barely think about thanking the people around them who are helping them be successful, to say thanks. Some people just don't even think to express their gratitude. I don't mean we should get mushy about it but a little nod, handshake, pat on the back or just plain "thanks" can go a long way.

I just read an article about the top people in a company feeling unappreciated. They're human too. Give them a "thanks" for doing a fine job — or at least giving it their best .

Take care of yourself — your body and your mind. It is impossible to function at your peak if either of these is not working well. Your mind includes the emotional side too. Tell those that matter to you in some way, "thanks." And, if you say that to those that don't matter to you, they will soon. You will be energized and touched by their response.

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Client's Corner

A small business owner knew that he had some conflict with a few key employees. He didn't think much of it —it was just the way things were. We did a workshop for him on behavioral styles so they could better understand each other. The results were significant — discussion opened up and there is a greater appreciation for each other. The owner would recommend this experience.

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Nominated for National Leadership Award

Mary Bresnahan has been nominated by the National Association of Women Business Owners for their Pioneer of the Year award. The award recognizes an innovative, creative, inspiring and visionary member who causes individuals and organizations to move forward by encouraging and pursuing new ventures.

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Responsibility-based Organizations

Learn more about how to achieve your organizational vision and accountability by going to our affiliate website, www.integroleadership.com.

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Speakers

Are you looking for a great speaker for your organization? Contact the Bresnahan Group. Additional speakers can be found at Engaging Speakers and the Naperville Chamber of Commerce.

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More Information

For more information about any of these topics contact us at 505-922-1973 or email BresGroup @ 4u.net.

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