Tip for Tips

"Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did, however, tip my urologist, because... I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones."
Dwight Shrewt, NBC's The Office

I have recently received some emails from service-related professionals regarding tips (or the lack thereof). In defense of the patron, many people just don't know what is acceptable.

As a general rule, we should tip 20-25%...even if you are capable of performing the service yourself.

See-E-O

Suggested Reading:
"Don't Step in the Leadership"
by Scott Adams

True leaders are more than organizational figureheads. These individuals know (and care about) the people, processes and products of the organization...no buzzwords required.

Intimidation

Intimidation is defined as:

To make timid or fearful; implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another; implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost; implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior; implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

Work for a bully? Looking for a career change? Need help with your resume? Contact me today.

http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

The Cost of Care for the Health of Your Organization

Turnover costs a company one and a half times the employee's salary...loss of productivity, the hiring process, training the new employee, etc., etc., etc. But retaining 'warm bodies,' also comes at a price.

Peter Gibbons (Office Space) once said, "It's not that I'm lazy Bob, it's that I just don't care."

Get motivated to motivate your employees. Contact me today. http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

Brush or Flush?

We all seek purpose and meaning in our work. Even if your job isn't the most glamorous in the world, think about how what you do each day plays into the bigger picture and overall health of your community.

And remember, things could be worse. But, things could also be better. Better is better. Contact me today!

http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

Advice of Titanic Proportions

Titanic ("the unsinkable ship") sank 96 years ago today. The story of the Titanic has many paralells to everyday operations in business.

For example:
1. Who is on ice patrol in your organization? Someone (if not everyone) must always be aware of the weaknesses and potential threats to the health & success of the organization.

2. Does your organization posess the technology necessary to be competitive in the global market? Titanic had all of the latest technology, but the messages regarding the icebergs were not relayed to the bridge. This lack of communication led to the death of 1,523 people.

3. How agile is your organization? If change is not a possibility for your organization, failure is eminent. Even if the proverbial iceberg is known, if the organization cannot manuver the challenge, you're goin' down.

4. Who's playing in your band? The band aboard the Titanic is reported to have been playing calming music as the ship sank in efforts to sooth passengers. Icebergs could be in the form of layoff's. Employees may know that they are losing their jobs (example: the recent layoff of over 40% of the workforce at HB Fuller). Supervisors should be willing to 'be the band,' and write letters of recommendation and serve as references for those employees.

To schedule an in-service training or speech for your organization, contact me today.

http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

Jibba-Jabba

Many of us struggle with time & project management issues. The uninvited (and often times, unwanted) interruptions of the day can be highly distracting and can exponentially decrease productivity.

Mr. T might advise you to simply say:

"I ain't got no time for jibba-jabba!"

or

"Shut up, Fool!"

Here are some equally effective and less aggressive tips (and if you still have problems, if no one else can help, and if you can find her...maybe you can hire...Donna-Maria Walker).

1. Re-position your desk in your office (and against the advice of John Wayne, face your chair away from the door).

2. Carve out an hour each day (or at least 30 minutes) to have a meeting with yourself. Seriously. Have calls sent directly to voicemail, close your door, and most importantly, let everyone know your schedule for 'interrupted time.'

3. Saying "later" doesn't mean "no."

4. Place your briefcase or a short stack of books in the 'guest chair' in your office.

5. Stand up when someone enters your office and don't sit back down until they leave.

6. Place a clock in a prominent place in your office taking occasional and obvious glances.

http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

Faulty Planning

Two things absolutely frighten me (in this order):
1. Mullets
2. Natural disasters

The Department of Homeland Security offers emergency preparedness brochures for your home and business.

When the New Madrid Fault erupted in 1812, the earthquakes were felt in New York City, Boston and caused church bells to ring in Massachusetts. Oh, and it caused permanent changes in the course of the Mississippi River (not to mention, the mighty river appeared to run backward for some time afterward).

The next scheduled major seismic event is scheduled anytime between 2012 and 2312...oh, and Paducah is deemed an 'epicenter' for activity.

Have a great week!

Talent Police

(Picture features Bill Gates after his arrest in 1977).

I want to aid and abed your talents, your strengths and your ideas.

Success is totally legal.

Let's go.

www.donnamariawalker.com

Leggo My Preggo!

Bad things to say to your pregnant co-worker:

1. "WOW! You must be carrying twins!"
2. "Are you in your 9th month? You look like you're ready to pop!"
3. "Should you be eating that?"
4. "Did you know that if they stick the epidural in the wrong spot in your spine, you can be paralyzed?"

The Georgia Satellites said it best, "Don't hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself."

Good things to say to your pregnant co-worker:
1. "Would you like a chair?"
2. "May I carry that box for you?"
3. "Oh, no. I insist that you get first dibs on the bathroom."

While this entry is not a part of the CYJ (Cover Your Jugular) Series, it very well could be!
Know better. Do better. http://www.donnamariawalker.com/

Effectively Reward Employees

Here are some important tips when recognizing employees:

1. Establish and clearly articulate performance criteria for rewards

2. Everyone in the organization should be eligible to work toward the same reward(s)

3. Individuals should be specifically told why they are being rewarded

4. Anyone/everyone who exhibits the levels of excellence required to receive the reward, should recieve the award

5. Employers should not wait to recognize achievers. Do it asap to reinforce the desired behaviors employers wish to see exhibited more often.

Employee of the Month mechanisms are largely ineffective. This 'monthly selection method' may do more harm than good as these employees are usually hand-picked by management, which may leave co-workers feeling resentful and powerless.

Perhaps Squidward dislikes Spongebob so much because Mr. Krabs has awarded Spongebob the Employee of the Month award more than 27 times in a row.

Mediocrity is Okay

But who wants that?
RULE #1:
Clearly communicate to others exactly WHAT you want. Ask the professional to reiterate what you said to make certain that they understand.

RULE #2:
Then trust that your professional will have the competence to know HOW to do the requested action.

We can't do everything ourselves. There are some things that should be left to the professionals. Case in point...The Flowbee.

www.donnamariawalker.com

Lumberghian Management

A classic scene from Office Space---Manager Lumbergh speaks to Milton, a long-time employee, after relocating his cubicle to the basement of the facility:

Lumbergh: "Milton."

Milton: "Yes?"

Lumbergh: "What's happening?"

Milton: "I wanted to speak to you--"

Lumbergh: "Say, Milton, you know what'd be great?"

Milton: "Wh-- No."

Lumbergh: "Since you're down here, it would be really great if you could just sort of take care of the cockroach problem we've been having in here."

Milton: "No, that's not really my job, and I-- I haven't received my paycheck this week--"

Lumbergh: "So, for now, why don't you get yourself a flashlight and a can of pesticide..."

If you practice "Lumberghian Management" in your office, put down your coffee cup long enough to pick up the phone and call me. Do yourself and your bottom line a favor. Contact me today to learn effective management techniques and communication strategies.

Burnout

People who are very passionate and find great personal identity through their jobs are highly susceptible to burnout.

Seven common characteristics of individuals experiencing burnout:

1. Feelings of apathy toward others who are seeking sympathy
2. Physical and emotional exhaustion
3. Feeling irritated with your co-workers for little or no reason at all
4. Feelings of isolation in the workplace
5. Bureaucratic mechanisms inhibit your ability to perform job duties effectively
6. Feelings of overwhelming pressure from superiors to succeed
7. Experience little or no time for planning or for doing an excellent job

To learn more about how conflicting values and expectations are contributing to your burnout experience (and what to do about it), contact me today.

CYJ: Cover Your Jugular; Part 2 (Training)

Once you have completed the hiring process, it's time to train.

Providing effective training for employees and volunteers will undoubtedly result in an increase in:

• job satisfaction and morale
• motivation
• procedural efficiency
• profits
• length of time employees stay with your company

Tee your employees up for success. Contact me today for all of your employee and volunteer training needs!