Tag Archive: Business

The Slippery Slope Between Brand Hyperbole and Employee Dishonesty

Cookies.002

Last week on an upgraded flight between Denver and Orlando, I was given a warm cookie after the meal service. This is a nice touch United Airlines does and has done for first class passengers for years. But as I examined the little brown paper sack the cookie came in, I was amused by the…

When Laying Down No-Nonsense Rules, Use a Little Nonsense

flight attendant

When you fly, do you actually pay attention to the airline safety announcement? Neither do I. These FFA mandated announcements are, for the most part, monotonous, mundane, and insulting to the intelligence of anyone with a fifth grade education.  Instructing passengers on how to fasten their seat belt by inserting the end with the clip…

Beyond a Paycheck: Motivating an Employee Who Doesn’t Need the Money

paycheck

If you woke up today and discovered that you had won millions in last evening’s lottery drawing, would you still work? Always a great conversation starter, the number of Americans responding ‘yes’ has declined from over 80% in 1955 to 66% in recent years according to Psychology Today. So what happens when there are people…

The Best Way to Retain Employees is to Ask “What Would Make You Leave?”

resigned on chair back

Michele Klein, HR Manager for Fidelity Exploration and Production (a large player in the booming oil and gas industry) was doing an exit interview with an engineer who was leaving to take a similar job with a competitor. As her final question, she asked, “If we had known that you were thinking about leaving several…

Potholes or Smooth Streets? Your Culture Hinges on Your Perspective

pothole

It made for a dreadful commute. The crater-like potholes dotting the main thoroughfare near my office were wreaking havoc on my car’s alignment. I wasn’t the only unhappy camper. The city was inundated with complaints from angry neighbors and shopkeepers who demanded repairs. Finally, a road-crew was sent to fill the gaping cavities and restore…

Good Work Ethic Cannot Atone for Bad Management

Help

Kyle (age 21) handles the scheduling, appointments, estimates, and all payment transactions for the auto service center near my office.  On a weekday morning at 8:16, I call to inquire about getting my vehicle in for shocks and an alignment.  Kyle politely tells me that if I can bring it in within the next 30…