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September 2006 Issue No. 71

Index

• What do you expect?

• My Local Newsletter Testimonial

• Sales Champions news

• Advice from Master (Meet the Tabby!)

• Women's Lifestyle Expo

• Healthy Inspirations Low Down on Labels and Think Thin Seminar

• Login to Treasure Chests

• Website Links

What do you expect?

• From your job? (for employees) 

• From your people? (for employers) 

by Dennis McMahon & Narelle Stratford

Did you know that for most people, their job is one of the biggest parts of their lives - and the people you interact with at work can be some of the strongest relationships you'll have? 

Which means that when things go wrong at work, and you're unhappy, the personal impact on you can be huge.  And for the business, the negative effects on the work environment, productivity and having a team that works together (and stays together) can be fatal.

So if you're an employee, it's important to have your expectations of your workplace met by the company, isn't it?

And, if you're the boss, you'd want to know what those expectations are, wouldn't you?  Sounds simple, but in reality, it's not that easy.

Why it's so hard

Many, many times, I've heard from people who have resigned from a job "They just didn't give me what I needed". And the "what I needed" ranges from recognition, time off, promotion, more responsibility, training, opportunities... and so many more.

Autonomy, Diversity, and Career Growth are just a couple of areas where people have expectations that can have an impact on their employment relationships.

And why didn't you or someone else get what they needed? In the main, it comes down to 4 reasons.

1. You didn't tell anybody! 
   
   Most people assume that their employer will somehow read their minds, or guess what they want.
   

2. The boss doesn't take the time to find out what their people want
   
   Sometimes the boss is busy too!! And sometimes, they just don't make the time to talk things out with their people.
   

3. The wants and needs (or expectations) weren't clear enough
   
   Vague ideas about what's important to you are almost as bad as no idea!  Unless there is a clear understanding about what the employee expects, and what the boss can deliver, how can there be any satisfaction?

4. Nobody acted on the Employee Satisfaction Survey 
   
   I've never seen anyone do anything about the results of an ESS.  How many times have you heard someone say, "I don't mind filling this in, I just wish they'd act on it!"

What's wrong with all of this?

Because it costs, and costs and costs...

It costs BIG TIME, in terms of time, effort, stress, relationships, enjoyment and sometimes money. And for the business, the cost of hiring somebody new is 2 to 3 times the salary of the outgoing person.  (Source: BDO Kendalls, Aust. Fin. Review Thurs. 31 August 2006) 

Surprised at that figure? 

Recent discussions with one of the banks indicates that it actually costs them around $100k every time one of their client managers moves on.  Your figures may not be that high, or then again, could be even higher.  You see, while most people figure out the direct recruitment costs, what a lot of people don't count is:

• the cost of the time lost

• the training time for someone new

• the opportunity costs - how much business have you lost because you didn't have the staff?

• the management time it takes to get a new person up to speed

• the client costs - how many customers walked with the person who resigned or took another job, to their new place of work?

Plus the headaches and stress for everybody!

What's the Solution?

The answer is to have a systemised approach to uncovering, identifying and managing those expectations. The alternative is to have unhappy, de-motivated employees who will eventually leave, and you have to begin the cycle all over again.

How can you do that?

You can start by speaking with your employees about what they really want from working with you. By doing this, you are showing that you are aware that they have expectations, and that you are prepared to help them achieve those expectations.

However, when you want a structured approach that provides you (and your employees) with a very simple, easy and clear plan to follow, along with "how to manage" this person, then click here, and read all about the Sales Champions "Keep Great People" Programme.

We hope this article helps to save you time, money and effort AND retain your best people.

Get the 

Low Down on Labels

from Healthy Inspirations Mt Gravatt

and learn the 7 Steps to Think Thin!

(Think Thin is being presented by Narelle Stratford)

This meeting will be held at The Coffee Club, Mt Gravatt
Be there in time for a 7pm start on
Friday September 22 

Book Now with Nikki or one of the team on Ph:  07 3420 4233
 

and make sure you go to the 

Healthy Inspirations Mt Gravatt

WOMEN'S LIFESTYLE EXPO

Naturally you love a bargain (you’re a woman, after all) so you’ll love the free samples that tease your senses, tickle your feminine side and stimulate your intellect at the Women’s Lifestyle Expo.

Moan with massage, relax with reflexology, reveal or conceal with clothing and bedazzle yourself with jewellery (it‘s not all free samples of course!)

But wait, there’s heaps more… Test the cosmetics, get inspired with TAFE, improve your business with sales coaching, and mend your psyche with a psychologist. Heal with Reiki and laugh with us all!

Best of all, your gold coin donation to enter will greatly assist The Family and Kids Care Foundation.

Sunday September 24, 2006 from 10am until 3pm 

at Healthy Inspirations, Mt Gravatt Homemaker Centre
1230 Logan Rd Mt Gravatt
Ph:  07 3420 4233

Like to have your table there?

Just call Nikki!

Treasure Chest Log In

Principal Real Estate Treasure Chest Member's Log In
Agent Real Estate Treasure Chest Member's Log In 
Micro-business Owner Treasure Chest Member's Log In
Small Business Owner Treasure Chest Member's Log In

© Narelle Stratford & Dennis McMahon       www.saleschampions.com.au      August 2006