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 “If
I take care of my people, they will take care of the customer,” says
Maxine Turner owner of the Salt Lake City based catering service,
Cuisine Unlimited. Truer words have never been spoken. Yet every day
we hear about organizations focusing on getting new business while
ignoring the needs of their own staff. |
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As
a panel of three successful Salt Lake City business women shared their
successful approaches to owning a thriving business at a recent National
Association of Women Business Owners meeting, one common theme emerged
— many of their victories were achieved by creating a committed team. |
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How
they created that team was exemplified by Carmelle Jensen owner of
CCG Office Furniture, a $13 million business, who said, “Above all,
give the employees respect and value them by sharing information with
them. You need to know where you are going and then not only share
the dream with the employees but sell the dream.” |
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Each panel member
said that the leader must know what the dream is. Second they must
buy into that dream themselves. If these two tenets are in place
then and only then can leaders sell the dream to others.
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J.R.
Green owner of Mountain States Mortgage, who in 1994 was the number
one Jenny Mae insurer in the nation for privately held companies and
is consistently ranked as the number one woman owned business for
gross sales in Utah, said to create a high achieving team you need
to know what motivates the employees. She says that you can learn
where people want to go and how long they plan to stay with the company
through one annual goal exercise. “Ask them to create a six month,
one year, and five year goal plan.” This information will give company
leaders people’s aspirations. It can also be a wake up call that some
employees have not bought into the dream which creates an opportunity
for the organization’s leaders. |
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People
have varying motivations for actions that they take. Employees’ motivation
range from basic pay and benefits to higher levels of socialization,
challenge or escape. To help clarify employees primary motivation,
consider the following: |
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1.
Survivalists need the money to survive. Tip to employers: their
motivation is increased income. |
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2.
Seekers want the money to be able to achieve a higher standard
of living. Financially they could survive without the money that their
job brings. These people tend to seek jobs that pay well, but also
one that creates personal satisfaction. Tip: Money may motivate them
today, but tomorrow they will be looking for a bigger challenge which
may mean losing them to a competitor. |
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3.
Contributors do not need the money. They work for the satisfaction
of contributing to the greater good. They would probably continue
working even if the company could no longer pay them. Their primary
motivation is to make a difference. |
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4.
“Fun”datmentalists work because it is fun. Green is a firm believer
in making work fun. Ask any of her long time employees — some who
have been working with her from the time she started the business
17 years ago. One employee said, “Work is fun.” They truly enjoy what
they do. This employee may be seen skipping around the office and
helping others see the positive side of work. They are motivated by
knowing they are a cog in the fun wheel. |
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Successful
business people recognize the varying degrees of motivation. They
have learned to help people reach the upper tier of “fun”damentalist.
Jensen, who has won numerous business awards including the prestigious
Haworth President’s Circle Award for Quality, said that she develops
a strong reputation and connection with employees which helps her
recruit the best and brightest. And in turn they tell others about
the great organization that they work for. It is good advertising
to have happy, committed employees who know they are a valued team
member. |
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These
three successful women know and put into action the premise that you
want good customers, but you need good employees. Without good employees
you may not have any customers. Discover what motivates your employees
and then find a way to give it to them. |
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Robin
Thompson is a professional speaker, trainer, and the author oF "Know
Stress to No Stress". She works with organizations
that want to keep good employees and with meeting planners who want
to put some fun into their next meeting or event.
For more information she can be contacted via
e-mail: speaker@RobinThompson.com
phone: (304) 763-3222
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