The Latest Happenings
posted by Angela Huffmon on December 12th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Straight-Talk about Management
If you want employees that work, do something about it! Managers all over this country are scratching their heads wondering how to get some slow employee to pick up the pace. For over two years I’ve been preaching to management everywhere about having a happier workplace. Having happy employees is more than just putting out a few bottles of bubbles an expecting instant happiness from your staff. If you want a more productive workforce you have to do something about it. You can’t be the kind of manager that sits back hoping your staff will start working harder. You have to do something.
If you’re asking the question, “how do I get my staff to work harder?” Make sure you are doing the following:
1. Set aggressive yet achievable deadlines.
You as the manager have to make sure that when you set deadlines for a project your staff knows it a firm date. Don’t be wishy-washy about when they have to finalize the project. Giving aggressive deadlines will send the message that there isn’t much time to procrastinate.
2. Make your employees accountable for the work you give them.
Arrange for several dates before the deadline to ask for progress reports. Have your computer to send automatic reminder emails to your team for progress report dates. This will send the message that you are serious about the deadlines you’ve set.
3. Give them work that will challenge their skills.
The work you assign your team needs to challenge their skill sets. This will keep the job from getting too routine, and boring. As soon as boredom sets in, your employees will become lethargic when it comes to completing assignments.
4. Chip-in yourself whenever possible.
When the team is working together, join in yourself. This shows that you’re not too big for your britches that you can’t do the grunt work also. Employees appreciate when their boss will do some of the more menial task right along side them. This will result in a more loyal employee relationship.
5. Add some fun to make the work more enjoyable.
Believe it or not work doesn’t have to be boring. Make a contest out of project deadlines among team members, or give them creative and fun things to do while taking breaks. This takes the monotony out of the work day and inspires creative thought and lightheartedness.
6. Stay on top of the project, but don’t micromanage.
Stay on top of a project if it is the first time the employee or team has ever done it before. Check in to see if they need additional guidance or instruction. However, don’t keep leaning over their shoulders while they work. No one likes it when their boss micromanages. Your micromanagement style sends the message that you don’t trust your staff, and that it is a good way to miss the deadline of a project. Also, your staff will resent it, so don’t do it.
If you find that your employee can’t seem to finish their work unless you are constantly hovering over them, then you hired the wrong person.
7. Use motivators and incentives.
Rewards are a perfectly good way to inspire people to meet deadlines. It adds fun and a challenge to the work. Each member of your staff will be motivated differently. For the members that need that dangling carrot to reach the finish line, this will give them the motivation they need.
It takes work to be a manager. It’s not for the faint hearted. To be an effective manager, there is additional work involved to not only get your staff to work hard, but also to keep up their productivity.
If you would like to book Angela Huffmon to speak at your next conference or business meeting, please send an email at angelah@shuffent.com.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on December 8th, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Recently, I made an entry on my Facebook page that during this holiday season I had met a few very rude people while doing my daily errands. A couple of my “friends” made comments that those rude individuals must have forgotten the reason for the season. Well what exactly is the reason for the season? I’m a Christian so I would say of course the reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The result of celebrating this holy event is that we become happier people. We are kinder and form closer bonds to friends and family and even perfect strangers. The whole idea of the meaning of Christmas started me to thinking about whether or not we form closer bonds with the people we work with as well. This is the perfect time for you as the manager to get to know your employees better. Getting to know what motivates them would benefit your working relationship in many ways.
How can you form a closer working relationship with your employees? First understand that most people are more than willing to share how and with whom they will be spending the holidays. You, as their manager, will have a chance to find out about their interests and hobbies. When your employees discuss the toys they will purchase for their children, you can inquire as to the ages and birthdays of their kids. This will give you an opportunity to connect with your employees. Then, during the year, you can send birthday's cards for their children. Sending your employee's children birthday cards may seem like it's a lot of extra work, but it's easy to setup in your planning software on your computer. The extra effort will demonstrate to your employees that you care about their lives. In addition, during the relaxed holiday season, while talking with your team members ask simple questions such as what they like to do for fun, and where they like to eat. These pieces of information will help later when it’s time to dispense rewards for great work. This will give you an opportunity to personalize rewards for what each of your employees will value and appreciate.
The benefits of putting in the extra effort to bond with your employees is:
¨ Fewer manager/ employee misunderstandings
¨ Less sick days taken by your employees
¨ More productive workers
¨ Increased employee morale
¨ More positive and motivated office environment
If you are truly serious about creating a happier place for you and your employees to work, making a connection with them is important. Of course, you aren't going to pry into their personal lives, but listen when they talk about what's important to them. This will help you to understand what drives and inspires them. Many managers scratch their heads trying to figure out how to motivate their employees. What they don't know is that by simply listening to their employees they can uncover the information they seek. Christmas parties are an ideal opportunity to get to know your employees. This will build a stronger bond between you and create a greater since of unity. As Mr. Publilius Syrus once said, “where there is unity there is always victory,” and that is the reason for the season.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on December 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 PM
"People are happier at Yuletime because they take the milk of human kindness out of the deep freeze." - Arnold Glasow
No one would dispute that this has been an extremely difficult year filled with much anxiety. However, there is generally no happier time at the office than during the holiday season. Maybe it's because vacation time is coming soon for most employees, or maybe it's because everyone loves the holiday parties. Whatever the reason, you'll experience a kinder, gentler co-worker in the next cubicle. Arnold Glasow made a vivid statement that we defrost the milk of human kindness during this time of year. Although this is true for most of your employees some of them will experience stress associated with the holidays. Stress no matter what the reason will always decrease productivity. And as many companies are trying to end the year strong, you can not afford to have lethargic employees. Therefore, finding ways to keep your employees in a good mood is very important.
The holiday season is a good time to lighten things up at the office which can help to alleviate some stress for your employees and boost productivity. Here are a few ideas to bring some cheer to the office:
1. Allow your employees to decorate their cubicles which will bring some fun to the office.
2. Relax the dress code or promote holiday dress which can be great for lifting spirits.
3. If this is a slow time of year for your company, allow your employees to go own alternative work hours or use flex time.
4. Hold a lunch buffet during the week or allow employees to hold a pot-luck.
5. Allow family to attend the company holiday celebration.
These ideas and any you can think of yourself will be a great addition to help stressed employees. If with all you do, you find that someone is still exhibiting stress behavior. Keep in mind that some individuals could be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a medical condition associated with stress and sadness during the holidays. However, for the most part, your employees will experience stress related to any of the following:
1. Trying to complete projects before vacation time
2. Hosting visiting relatives before the holidays
3. Trying to holiday shop and manage budgets
4. Disappointments of not being able to have a carefree holiday due to 2009’s economic crisis
Keeping and promoting a cheery attitude will spread improved morale throughout your office. This can be a great time for you and your employees to have fun, bond, and prepare for the New Year. Having fun in the office now may carry over to positive attitudes next year. Starting off the New Year on a high note may result in better customer service and increased profit margins. Enjoy your holiday with your employees.
Angela Huffmon, is a Professional National Speaker, Corporate Trainer, and Author. If you would like to book Angela Huffmon to for your next conference, or meeting event send an email to angelah@shuffent.com.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on November 25th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
What is fulfilling work? Fulfilling work is described as any work that makes the employee feel challenged and an integral part of the team. It must be work where the employee can take great pride. All of us want to feel that what we do is important. We also want to feel that our job performance is appreciated.
"Finding fulfilling work should be an early and deeply pursued part of everyone's career path. This may sound soft and mushy, but happy people are better for business. They are more creative and productive, they build environments where success is more likely, and you have a much better chance of keeping your best players." - Shelly Lazarus, Chairman & CEO Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
As Shelly Lazarus comments, finding fulfilling work should be pursued by everyone. Performing fulfilling work is an important element of what makes a happier employee.
The best way to find out what your employees consider to be fulfilling work is to ask them. As I have suggested in the past, you should be conducting quarterly evaluations with your staff. These quarterly evaluations will give you an opportunity to discuss the employee's job performance, but it will also allow you to ask the employee if they are being fulfilled in their current job responsibilities. Many managers are afraid to ask good employees if they’d like to promote, because they don’t want to loose hard working people. This fear is unfounded because if you don’t help your employees to maximize their skills in your office you still risk losing them to another company. In this day in age of Generation Ys, company loyalty is out and job fulfillment is what’s in. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask your employees questions such as, "What position would you like to see yourself doing in two years?" If the employee desires a different position than the one they currently have, then you’ll know they are not completely satisfied in their position. You can then suggest how they can improve their skills while performing in their current job responsibilities. This will accomplish two things: 1) the employee will begin to feel more fulfilled in their current job, and therefore become a happier employee; and 2) you will have the opportunity to use the employee at their maximum, while experiencing increased productivity from your employee. Other questions you can ask your employee are:
- "What additional skills would you like to use in your current job?"
- "Would you like to take any business seminars to gain additional skills? If so, what?"
- "Have you thought of ways that will allow you to become more a part of the team?"
- "Are we using your skills to the maximum in this position? If not, how can we make this job more fulfilling for you?"
Allow your employees to tell you what will make the job more fulfilling for them. You will benefit by having a happier employee who will stay with your organization far longer.
Angela Huffmon is a National Professional Speaker, trainer, and an entreprenuer. If you would like to book Angela Huffmon for your upcoming corporate meeting or conference, send an email to angelah@shuffent.com.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on November 20th, 2009 at 3:14 PM
All managers should know that there are steps they can take to create a happier place to work for their employees. Although we can not be held responsible for the happiness of others, our actions can go a long way toward making others feel more comfortable and happier.
"The persons with whom you work reflect your own attitude. If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these unlovely traits echoed all about you. But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in the persons with whom you are going to spend most of your waking hours." - Beatrice Vincent
Creating a happier environment is imperative to increasing your company profits, reducing employee turnover, and increasing productivity. Changing your work environment must become a priority for CEOs and managers alike. There are ten important elements to creating a happier work environment.
1. Good Manager/Employee Communication
2. Encourage Additional Skills Training
3. Incorporating Fun in Your Work Environment
4. Trust in Management
5. Better and More Frequent Performance Evaluations
6. Eliminate Negative Attitudes
7. Team Spirit
8. Rewards & Recognition
9. Ability to Promote
10. Fair Monetary and Non-Monetary Compensation
Beatrice Vincent made it clear how our attitude and the attitude of others in the office can affect the environment around us. A manager with a positive attitude can set the tone for a more favorable work environment. In addition, this positive attitude trickles all the way down to the customer, therefore encouraging customer loyalty. A manager can influence the culture of the company by the attitudes of the employees they hire. For example, Southwest Airlines actually has "a sense of humor" on the airline's job application. This airline has one of the lowest employee turnover rates among all airlines. Southwest has also stayed in the black during high gas prices and in the aftermath of 9/11. They must know something about keeping their customers and employees happy.
On the other hand, one person with a negative attitude can infect an office to the point of driving employees and customers away, delaying work projects, and creating dissension among departments. You must eliminate negativity from your work environment as quickly as possible. Get rid of negative employees, or put them in a place where their poisonous attitude will not affect others. Also, an employee with a poor attitude may be the most visible sign of their unhappiness with their work or status. If you have a good relationship with your employees you should be able to talk openly with them to the adjust situation. Sometimes, changing the work assignments of an employee can do wonders for their attitude.
A positive attitude that you and your employees have can set such a tone for your office that they will enjoy coming to work. You may immediately see your employees taking less sick days, because they may experience less antagonism and pessimism in the office. You will be pleasantly surprised at what simply improving your work environment will do for your employee morale and their productivity.
Angela Huffmon is a National Professional Speaker, trainer, and an entrepreneur. If you would like to book Angela Huffmon for your upcoming corporate meeting or conference, send an email to angelah@shuffent.com.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on November 17th, 2009 at 5:01 PM
My topic Happy People Work is a conprehensive program which discusses all aspects of creating a happier workplace. Incorporating fun and laughter into the workplace is very important for increasing morale. However, there are many other elements that need to be present to truly engage your employees. For example, if there is a lack of trust in the management of your company, you will have very unhappy employees. Also, there needs to be transperancy within the company. Your employees need to feel you are openingly communicating any upcoming company changes. This will make them feel more secure in their future with your firm. Engaging your employees is important for you because it will decrease the amount of money you spend to interview, hire and train new employees. In addition, engaged employees will work harder and produce more accurate and creative work. Your firm and your customers will benefit.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on November 16th, 2009 at 6:06 PM
This year we've lost some very influential figures, Senator Edward Kennedy and Michael Jackson to name two. There are two things both of these men who came from very different backgrounds and worked all their lives in completely different fields have in common. They worked everyday with passion and excellence. Today I want to examine just the quality of excellence. Excellence isn't something you see everyday. Haven't we all experienced shotty work, poor quality, late employees or clients? We've all talked to customer service people who seem to make mistake after mistake testing our patience. These experiences will lead you wondering does anyone strive for excellence anymore? Thankfully, many companies have implemented quality controls systems such as, Six Sigma to try to bring excellence back as the standard. But, what about us? How can we implement a plan so that our standard is working toward excellence everyday? This should be our new standard. What does it mean to work with excellence? It means simply, working at your highest level all the time. Not excepting excuses for why something didn't get done, why you didn't arrive on time, or why the project contained many errors. Working with excellence means putting in full time effort and working at 100 percent. Sometimes, excellence means working late to double or even triple check to eliminate errors. Now before I finish this blog, let me distinguish the difference between perfection and excellence. Someone who is a perfectionist trys and fails at trying to make everything around them absolutely perfect. If you are a perfectionist, let me help you by saying you can relax because you live in an imperfect world and you can't make everything perfect. Mistakes will happen, bottomline. Now you can breathe. Working with excellence does not mean you're trying to make everything perfect. It means you will put all of yourself into whatever you're doing so that even if there are mistake it isn't because you didn't try your best. It means giving your work your all, then you can be proud of your accomplishments. Also, one last thing, remember this is a work in progress. Give yourself time to have fun and enjoy life so that when you are working you won't feel burned out. Therefore, whatever you're doing, do it with excellence.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on July 28th, 2009 at 11:25 AM
If any of you have ever been in one of my Happy People Work seminars you know how passionate I am about employees working in a fun work environment. I recommend using the bubble factor to create a happier workplace. What is the bubble factor? Its bubbles, of course. It seems like a fairly simple thing to recommend, but the truth is that everyone loves bubbles. Maybe you wouldn't want to blow bubbles at your desk. It can make your desk a little sudsie, but putting bottles of bubbles in the office breakroom can be a lot of fun. Something so simple can change the mood of almost everyone.
If you're wondering if I think blowing bubbles is the cure to the world's problems. The answer is no. However, I do believe that simple things can be a huge boost to our moods. Even the smallest improvement to our morale can be the difference between not getting anything done versus having a productive day. Equiping an office with small tools to lift employee spirits can make the difference between your company being in the red or the black. So take a break and blow bubbles!
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posted by Angela Huffmon on July 21st, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Including activities that engage your employees is important for improving any work place. However, to create a healthy happy work environment fun activities should be inclusive, but not forced. Forcing employees to participate turns the activity into a chore and defeats the purpose of creating a motivating and light hearted environment. Increasing employee morale can be created easily when managers include activities that provoke thought, team work, creativity, and induces healthy competition.
One employee I interviewed about her work environment made this statement, "How can they (management) expect to motivate the employees if they make us hate where we work. Employee aren't going to give more than what's expected of them when they hate their jobs." I couldn't agree more. If you're employees are engaged, they will enjoy the workplace even if they don't particularly enjoy the actual work. In these extremely stressful times, your employees need some stress relief. You may not be aware of it, but your employees' production has decreased. How do I know this? Because that is what happens when any of us get stressed. It's difficult to concentrate on our work, if we have personal problems such as fighting foreclosure or afraid of getting laid-off. Therefore, it is in your best interest as the employer, supervisor, business owner, or executive manager to try to do anything you can to take your employees' minds off their problems and onto their work.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on July 9th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Being happy isn't something that just comes in life. As I get older I realize why Thomas Jefferson placed the phrase the pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence. The reason is because everyone is entitled to pursue their form of happiness. Whatever makes you happy has to be pursued. It isn't something that anyone can give you. Each one of us has to pursue it. When you pursue something, you have to chase it, capture it, drag it down until it says uncle. Happiness doesn't come easily, but chase it, capture it, drag it down until you're overflowing with it. Pursue happiness. Enjoy your life.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on July 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 AM
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I asked an HR person what they were doing to increase morale after they had a huge round of layoffs. Her response was startling, "nothing," was what she said. If workers are depressed they're going to drag about doing their work even with more work to be done. They're going to call in sick more, and they're going to produce less when they are sitting at their desk. I tried to explain to the HR manager that if these workers aren't re-engaged at work, it will ultimately hurt the company's financial progress. There was nothing she could do however, the decision to positively affect the culture of the company was made higher up.
So for all of you top level executives who are scratching your heads wondering why with all your cutbacks your companys are still going under, look to improving your employees morale. You might finally see a rebound.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on June 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 AM
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My friend John Alston needs help. John has been a professional speaker for over 20 years, and during that time he has given much of his time and expertise to help many up-an-coming speakers during. Now we can help him. John is suffering from a brain tumor, and his wife and give the ok for us to spread the word. If you would like to donate to help John during this crisis visit this site:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.cigarpeg.com%2Femergency_relief_fund.htm
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posted by Angela Huffmon on June 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 AM
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Hey everyone, I finally got my blog up and working. Stay tuned for updates on business improvement suggestions, comments on business and our current economy, Obama's impact on business, and much more.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on June 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 AM
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A common problem plaguing managers all over the world is how to motivate their staff during these tuff economic times. It's no secret that company layoffs, business closures, and foreclosures are in the forefront of everyone's mind. You and your employees come to work everyday with these thoughts on their minds, its no wonder productivity has suffered.
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posted by Angela Huffmon on June 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 AM
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I'm looking for best boss stories. Stories can show how well your boss or upper level management executive communicates with his/her staff, or gives fair performance evaluations, or whatever. The stories would be used in my book called "Happy People Work." Any story that shows how the executive tries to make the workplace more fun to alleviate stress is also appreciated.
Angela -
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