This is a reqoute of a post I made awhile back at another BB

ON LEADERSHIP AND RETAINING QUALITY EMPLOYEES...SOME SIMPLE ADVICE...take it for what its worth!

This is a reqoute from a post I made awile back:

HOW DO YOU KEEP EM HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE?

1. I often walk clients thru the shop. While doing this I will have an employee stop what he is doing and (http://maplered.com) meet the clients. I have them explain what they are doing and (http://maplered.com) why. Then, I allways tell the customer that "John" is one of our best workers in the shop. These little things are what make the employees feel valued. (got nothing to do with money)

2. I allway tell my guys that we have the best crew in the state...nobody can touch our quality. Everyday I walk thru the shop, inspect work and (http://maplered.com) tell them how good it looks and (http://maplered.com) that they are kicking some serious ass!

3. All my employees are cross trained. EVERYONE knows how to template a kitchen. EVERYONE knows how to set up and (http://maplered.com) run the routers. EVERYONE knows how to run the bridge saw. 1/2 my guys can run installs. 1/2 my guys can execute advanced Stone (http://g603.net) working tasks. My installers are fabricators first. If we are not installing a kitchen on a given day they are suited up and (http://maplered.com) polishing product. If an installer calls in sick I can pull anyone of my guys out of the shop to do an install. Once a week I will have an install guy stay in the shop and (http://maplered.com) fab and (http://maplered.com) send a shop guy out to install. (no man is an island (http://maplered.com) in my shop....they all are replaceable)

4. It is critical that you not allow your workers to fall into a groove. My sawyer/fabricator knows better than to ask me " when I am done cutting this kitchen can I go home?"

5. I do fabricate from time to time. I do admin crap and (http://maplered.com) walk the shop in the morning. In the afternoon I go to the install, top polish and (http://maplered.com) go back to the shop to make sure the job for the next day is ready. When we slip behind...I have my guys prep the job, I will jump into my rubbers and (http://maplered.com) at 4pm before they clock out, I start polishing. I will work till 10-11pm and (http://maplered.com) finish the job. It motivates them, the next day when they come in and (http://maplered.com) know in there bones that I will work harder then they will. If we work saturdays I will fabricate the entire time. I jump on the router for a least half a day every couple of weeks. I also will sweep the shop, lube the saw, and (http://maplered.com) any of the "lowly" tasks that need doing.
(alot has changed since we bought a cnc...but the concept is still the same....I simply stay and (http://maplered.com) write programs...oh...my installers can top polish now...woot woot)

Never ask your employees to do something you would not do yourself.

Finally, After you've cross trained em, told em they kick ass, showed them you can and (http://maplered.com) will do everything you have asked them to do. Surprise em. This month we are going to get everyone an IPOD. Last month we took half a day off and (http://maplered.com) went paintballing. Sometimes I just walk around the shop on fridays and (http://maplered.com) kick everyone a crisp $100 bill and (http://maplered.com) say thanks for making it happen.

It's the way it should be....oh and (http://maplered.com) if you have to chew someones ass for screwing up allways go outside the shop and (http://maplered.com) do it one on one. Then pat em on the back. (NOTHING NEGATIVE SHOULD HAPPEN IN THE SHOP! ALLWAYS TAKE IT OUTSIDE!)

I hope this is helpfull.

BTW
Last month I was at a Job site next to the one where we were installing a kitchen...It was a disaster...I drove back to the shop, rounded up my crew, showed 'em the mess...and (http://maplered.com) then took em out to dinner. They know that what they do is some of the finest work in the world. What they do is important....there skills are superior to thier peers.

Motivation is the key!

My old First Sergeant one told me and (http://maplered.com) several other squad leaders something interesting. We were bitching about the quality of our young privates....He explained cand (http://maplered.com) idly that there simply was no such thing as a bad private...only NCOs that don't know how to motivate them!
(there are allways exceptions to the rule...but you should not have hired them in the first place...and (http://maplered.com) if they don't perform given proper motivation give em the boot! FAST!)
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Regards,
Mark Lauzon, SFA, MIA
www.Stone (http://g603.net) works.cc
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