Hey,
I've never been the most loyal to companies which I worked for. When I say I wasn't too loyal, all I mean is that I wasn't too motivated to work like a slave to earn the company loadsa money, while I got my peanuts. I did the work required to the best of my ability, but I didn't stress myself out too much, staying back evenings, or anything.
Now, I'm in the process of starting my own business and the boot is on the other foot now. Good customer service is one of the main points that we intend to use as a selling point, (along with high quality products). This is probably best achieved with a loyal, motivated staff who are prepared to stay around longish term (speaking about the catering industry here, so I know we probably won't have the same staff for years.)
Anyway, basically my question is what would gain your loyalty to a company? We don't believe in big boss man getting hundreds of times more than the peons doing all the work, so we're quite willing to offer good yearly bonuses (which is rare I think for counter staff). The business will also be quite seasonal, so we've thought about sponsoring a member of staff to go out foreign to do some charity work for a month or 2. We haven't really thought about that idea too much, but these are the types of things that we're thinking about.
So what would make you go the extra mile for the company?
Cheers,
D
Originally posted by RagnorakI have had the same problem time and time again with companies that I have worked for (mentioning no names o2), and the biggest frustration I have always found is that lower/middle management are all power hungry and incredibly protective of their own (usually dubious) positions. Therefore, they are incapable of giving people a pat on the back for good work, incapable of recognising innovation or creative thinking that might, just might make everybodies life easier if they implemented the suggestions because they are afraid that if someone else starts getting plaudits then there own security in the workplace is threatened.
Hey,
I've never been the most loyal to companies which I worked for. When I say I wasn't too loyal, all I mean is that I wasn't too motivated to work like a slave to earn the company loadsa money, while I got my peanuts. I did the work required to the best of my ability, but I didn't stress myself out too much, staying back evenings, or anything. ...[text shortened]... e thinking about.
So what would make you go the extra mile for the company?
Cheers,
D
On a lighter note, I've always found that as long as there is a decent working enviroment (you know a few plants around the office is a GOOD thing!), a reasonable amount of holiday time, flexible working hours and NO obligation to go on ridiculous "team building" exercises whether to the pub or elsewhere, usually makes me quite happy.
I'm not that bothered about vouchers or prizes or even yearly bonuses, because if you think about it, if you were paid enough in the first place these would be unnecessary to try and make you more productive.
Originally posted by RagnorakNo matter what you offer it will not change someones attitude to their work.
Hey,
I've never been the most loyal to companies which I worked for. When I say I wasn't too loyal, all I mean is that I wasn't too motivated to work like a slave to earn the company loadsa money, while I got my peanuts. I did the work required to the best of my ability, but I didn't stress myself out too much, staying back evenings, or anything. ...[text shortened]... e thinking about.
So what would make you go the extra mile for the company?
Cheers,
D
You will always get the skivers, the workers who do just enough to justify being paid and the workers who work their butts off.
Ask yourself if you would you have worked any harder knowing you were getting a bonus at the end of the year.
Nowadays loyalty to your employer means nothing.
Originally posted by adramforallWell, I have to say that I did get bonuses. But after seeing my first "bonus", let me just say that my motivation started falling. I honestly do think that if I was getting a decent bonus which was tied to profitablity I would have worked harder.
No matter what you offer it will not change someones attitude to their work.
You will always get the skivers, the workers who do just enough to justify being paid and the workers who work their butts off.
Ask yourself if you would you have worked any harder knowing you were getting a bonus at the end of the year.
Nowadays loyalty to your employer means nothing.
Favs, its hard to pay very good wages, seeing as this will be our first year open and we don't know how well our venture is going to do.
D
Originally posted by RagnorakShare the company, even if only a small percentage. Then explain what your plans are for the company.
Hey,
I've never been the most loyal to companies which I worked for. When I say I wasn't too loyal, all I mean is that I wasn't too motivated to work like a slave to earn the company loadsa money, while I got my peanuts. I did the work required to the best of my ability, but I didn't stress myself out too much, staying back evenings, or anything. ...[text shortened]... e thinking about.
So what would make you go the extra mile for the company?
Cheers,
D
If you can employ someone with a low salary, but a stake in your company, they will try as hard as you to make it succeed. And they will not tolerate peers who do not carry their weight.
Also, it will prevent a high staff turnover too. When you stand to lose the benefit of all your efforts, you think twice about changing jobs.
-Russ
Originally posted by shavixmirI second that. Without responsibility, staff get bored and then its game over. Money is never a long-term motivation, though low pay will have a negative impact.
Give people real responsibility.
If someone feels responsible, then he/she will be motivated to do his/her best.
What Russ says is at least equally important.
For your industry, a huge effect is the interaction of staff: one bad apple and you'll loose the lot, whether thats a manager or front line staff. Nice, chatty folk with a real work ethic. How to find them? No idea.
Originally posted by ToeThe group dynamic is also important. If you are putting together a team of people it generally helps to have a mix of characters, backgrounds etc. This way people will naturally assume a particular role within the team and a nice balance can be achieved without too much conflict. You will also find that the ideas put forward from the group are wider ranging as a result.
I second that. Without responsibility, staff get bored and then its game over. Money is never a long-term motivation, though low pay will have a negative impact.
For your industry, a huge effect is the interaction of staff: one bad apple and you'll loose the lot, whether thats a manager or front line staff. Nice, chatty folk with a real work ethic. How to find them? No idea.
Conflict between two within the team is bad, as others quickly get dragged into it. Managing these conflicts will be a challenge for you.
Example: The moaner. You will end up with one regardless of how you try to recruit around this. The moaner is often looked at as a bad person to have around, and indeed they can be if not on your side. If you can balance them off with a joker (or someone else with a very positive outlook on the world) who is at the same level and who will keeps them in check say (rather than ripping it out of them all the time) then although they will moan at times it will not be a constant, and what they are moaning about is more likely to be something you should pay attention to.
Reading that back it does read a bit like business bull and I am not sure it makes as much sense as I intended, but I think the gist is there so i'll click post whatever.
Good luck with your business venture.
🙂
Couple of things I like to see an employer do:
Probably the most important is to treat employees like people, not like resources. Even a 'hi how are you?' every now and then can go a surprisingly long way.
Being reasonable and flexible is also very important. In my last job, I had to work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, despite the fact that the office was open earlier and later than that. In my new job, I have to work 37 hours a week, and I can arrange them however I please. So now I do 8 hours Monday to Thursday and then go home at 1:30pm on a Friday. In my friend's place of work, they log the time you sign onto the computer system and if you are even a minute late, you are hauled up in front of management to explain yourself.
Draconian measures will only result in employees working to rule and a high staff turnover, as my friend's employer is learning (actually, they still aren't learning, but they really should be).
When holding interviews: Don't ask the obvious questions people will have prepared answers for, get to know why the person thinks the way they do. Ask him other questions, taste in music, favourite film, hobbies etc. Then try and decide whether his personality is the right one for your company, not just for the necessary job skills.
Once employed: Having just a ten minute break where people can chat in the mid afternoon can really help. Try and cultivate a relaxed and fun atmosphere, take it in turns to buy doughnuts. Allow your employees flexible working hours and don't make them wear a suit or tie unless for external meetings. Take them out for birthdays etc. Give them the morning off to watch important sports games etc. Or have the game on in the office.
All these things may seem to waste time and money, but the loyalty and productivity you will recieve in return will more than outweigh it and staff retention will be higher.
Don't ask the obvious questions people will have prepared answers for, get to know why the person thinks the way they do. Ask him other questions, taste in music, favourite film, hobbies etc. Then try and decide whether his personality is the right one for your company, not just for the necessary job skills.
Definitely go along with this. I hate job interviews simply because they don't do this. 'Why do you think you'd be good at this job' has to be one of the most ridiculous questions you can ask at an interview. Their answer will tell you nothing, except how good they are at collating advice from friends/family etc.
Having just a ten minute break where people can chat in the mid afternoon can really help.
This is almost a good idea, but personally I don't like the rigidity this implies. Simply being a bit relaxed, allowing people to pop out for five minutes for some air, or to go and make a cuppa when they feel like it is a better idea IMHO. You'll soon notice if anyone is taking advantage and you can then take steps to put a stop to it.
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You should pick up the annual "best companies to work for" issue of Fortune magazine. There are multiple factors that help build a good working atmosphere; I value an understanding / compassionate manager highly---I certainly don't think monetary perks is a good motivating factor.
Tiger
That's amazing, cos I was sure that monetary rewards would be the no1 motivating factor. Just goes to show I've a lot to learn eh? 😉
Russ, sharing the company is an idea I hadn't really thought about. Have u any links or pointers on that? Like what happens when the member of staff leave?
Pendejo, at the start we will be helped out by family, until we find out what staff levels we need at least. Unfortunately, that probably won't be long term.
After reading ye're answers, it seems that gathering the right team at the start is one of the most important factors. So, seeing as it will be a team of counter staff that we'll be assembling, any tips on how to ensure we get the type of people that we want: ie: happy, bubbly, energetic, fun? Any good questions you've asked/been asked?
Cheers for the help, I didn't think I'd get so many serious answers.
: D