February 2006 - Posts

• The top 10 components of job satisfaction

  Feb 06 2006

  With the free market determining the labor costs (salaries), the most important value-added component a company can offer its people increasingly will be job satisfaction. Extensive research has been done on what's important to us in our jobs. The conclusions of most studies lead me to believe that the "Top 10" components of job satisfaction are: Recognition for a job well done — Mark Twain said he could live for two months on a good compliment. A healthy working environment — clean, well-lit adequate space; the proper equipment; and a space inhabited by people who communicate in an honest, timely, caring fashion. Meaningful work — trading your time in life to help achieve something worthwhile. Responsibility — a belief that people are responsible for their own actions, and indications that they are trusted. Accountability — a feeling of ownership of outcomes; a sense of the proverbial buck stopping with every single person and not in the lap of someone far down the line. Equitable compensation — linked not to longevity or rank, but to performance; being treated like partners; equity, such as ESOP or options, can be important. The chance to learn — opportunities to grow into more significant positions with greater responsibility and ultimately, to increase one's value to the organization. The chance to do great work — not just work that meets minimum standards and expectations, but quality work: A+ work! Understanding — knowing how the work relates to the realization of the overall goals of the business. The chance to work with interesting, motivated, responsible people — whose personal and professional goals are in alignment with one's own. Two other elements that will continue to become even more important are job flexibility and personal freedom. no comments

• "AWESOME"

  Feb 05 2006

  My guess is that there are 987,000 adjectives in the English language. So why does it seem like everybody uses just one? AWESOME! That dress is awesome. Your car is awesome. Awesome party, dude! Why does everybody use it? Because everybody uses it. It’s familiar and socially acceptable. No risk. No rejection. But no reward. "Uni-word" communication is colorless, without variation or imagination, and definitely lacking creativity. We are in a business that demands fresh ideas, fresh communication and fresh adjectives. So I encourage everybody to “Use your words.” A new, unexpected adjective shows you have courage and creativity. It makes communication more colorful. And ultimately, it makes life more rewarding. So be splendid. Wear an astonishing dress. Drive a prodigious car. Go to a wondrous party and have a stupendous time. By avoiding overused words like "awesome"...you will be! no comments