(Time to read this Blog is about 3 minutes)
Before we get to the main topic, here are a few things to get you thinking:
- My Quote of the week:
“As a leader, are you running the business…or are you building and empowering a Team that runs the business?”
…Donald Cooper.
- Quick Biz Tip: Is there a lack of ‘urgency’ in your business? Do you ask for things to be done…but nothing happens? A lack of urgency is always a symptom of a lack of clarity, commitment and accountability, starting at the top…including a failure to measure performance and deal with non-performance. These are the underlying problems that need to be solved.
If this is a problem in your business and you’d like to chat about solutions, I’m easy to find at donald@donaldcoopoer.com.
- ‘The Economist’ is my go-to magazine for a comprehensive global view. For up-to-date insight on what’s going on in the world, it’s tough to beat ‘The Economist’. It’s published in both paper and electronic format each week. .
It delivers in-depth reporting and analysis on politics; war and global security; economics; business; science & technology; the tragedy and triumphs of society and the human journey; arts and entertainment …and much more. I highly recommend it.
Here are two interesting tidbits from last week’s edition:
– The country of Sri Lanka is facing its biggest financial crisis since 1948. The government has cancelled exams for millions of students because they can’t afford to buy paper.
– The west African country of Ghana spends 44% of its government revenues to service its external debt. No country, business or individual can survive that level of crushing debt.
Now, to this week’s important topic:
The 10 Keys To ‘Employee Engagement’…how do you rate?
The #1 problem in every business in the world today is attracting top performers. To prove my point, check out this hilarious short video, CLICK HERE at the bottom of this article. Then, once you’ve attracted them, it’s vital that you engage and retain them, or you’re just ‘spinning your wheels’. Employee engagement is the key to productivity and retention.
A recent global survey by Gallup shows that, on average, only 36% of employees are engaged, 51% are not engaged and 13% are ‘actively disengaged’ which means they’re trying to sabotage the company for which they work.
Below is my Biz Tool to help you rate your business on ‘The 10 Keys to Employee Engagement’. Rate your business on each of the ’10 Keys’ below, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being excellent. You’ll be amazed at what you discover. Then, at the bottom, calculate your ‘Total Engagement Score’ out of a possible 100 points.
Note: Have each member of your Management Team, along with a cross-section of your front-line people complete this Biz Tool, individually, and compare the scores. Do you all see the business and its ‘Key Engagement Factors’ in the same way? Probably not.
( 1.) All Team members know who we are as a business. They help create, understand and embrace our Purpose, Values, Value Promise and our Vision & Mission. They know and are proud of our history.
( 2.) They know why their job is important and how it affects customers, the rest of the Team, the community, the environment and the bottom line.
( 3.) Our Managers and Supervisors are competent, fair, energized and congruent with our culture and values. They’re committed to the growth of the business and each member of their Team.
( 4.) All Team members are effectively and continually trained to do their job and are encouraged and empowered to take initiative, within defined boundaries.
( 5.) We have a career path with effective coaching and mentoring for those with the interest and ability to grow themselves and the business.
( 6.) All Team members are compensated competitively and fairly. Our ‘Benefit Package’ and ‘Employment Policies’ help our Team feel supported, valued and secure…and help them achieve work-life balance.
( 7.) We have a positive, encouraging, energized and inclusive culture that promotes excellence, teamwork, passion and joy. We do not tolerate bullying, disrespectful or unsafe behaviour.
( 8.) We have a culture of clarity, commitment, urgency and accountability. There are meaningful incentives, rewards and celebrations for success…and non-performance is dealt with fairly, quickly and effectively.
( 9.) Ideas for improvement, feedback and respectful debate are encouraged, listened to and acted on.
(10.) Team members know how the business is doing, how they’re doing, where improvement is needed, by when…and their role in making that improvement happen.
Our ‘Total Engagement Score out of a possible 100
So, what do your individual and total ‘Engagement Scores’ tell you about what needs improvement? For each action you commit to take, be specific about what will be done, by whom, by when, at what cost, with what outcomes, measured how. If you’d like some Coaching on this challenge of attracting, engaging and retaining top performers, I’m easy to find at donald@donaldcooper.com .
That’s it for this week…
Stay safe…live brilliantly!
Donald Cooper
Donald Cooper speaks and coaches internationally on management, marketing, and profitability. He can be reached by email at donald@donaldcooper.com in Toronto, Canada.
