Creating Management Practices for Making Work Work

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/aug2009/ca20090828_011424_page_2.htm

Motivating employees to perform well is a very important skill a manager must have.  However, in rough economic times such as these past few years, this has become a difficult task to achieve. It is hard for an employee to think positively and openly when they are more worried about how they can afford to pay off the next bill.  Managers are attempting to find alternative processes, programs, and incentives to make the workplace more functional.

This article goes in depth  at this current crisis managers are dealing with, and how some companies are trying new things to boost productivity.  Some alternative programs discuss in this article include; flexible scheduling for employees, allowing employees to work at home once a week to save transportation costs, offer one-time financial assistance to employees, incentives to employees who manage financials properly, shared "extended-leave" program for all employees, and incentive for health and wellness decisions.  All of these programs can help an employee in a crucial time of need, which in turn leads to better morale and workplace productivity.  All of these ideas have worked well for the company that installed them.  More managers need to think outside of the box and assess what needs to be done to make their work more enjoyable and personable.

I believe as time moves forward, more managers will pick up on these fairly recent trends, and this will become an emerging practice for most companies. The article states "our people are our greatest asset." This cannot be anymore true, because without effective employees, there will not be an effective product/service that is ultimately offered to the customer.  The focus of attention needs to be placed to that great asset, and managers are finding multiple ways to convey that message.

Posted by Steven Krygowski