Billy Arcement, MEd.
Professional Speaker

Professional Productivity           

In the real work environment of 2003, getting more from employees is the management tool of choice.  The workplace is in a state of constant flux.  The workforce is reduced, technology is added and the bottom line is that everyone is expected to do more with less.

That situation can present a dilemma for today’s workers.  If you find yourself in this scenario, try the following six ideas to help you cope with the stress and strain of today’s workplace.

(1)                          Be willing to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility to improve all situations you can control.  Take charge of your career and your work assignments.  Look for opportunities to pick up responsibilities to enhance your value.  Sometimes a little tweaking opens the door to getting more done within your workday with less stress and strain.

(2)                          Think in terms of actions, consequences and results.  Carefully plan your action steps to get your work done.  Identify the consequences from completing these action steps.  And finally, remember that all action produces results.  Your aim is to make sure that your action produces the results you want and need to accomplish.

(3)                          Record every single achievement.  This is really the victory list I discussed in the last newsletter.  It’s a confidence builder and an encourager when the load gets heavy.

(4)                          Continue your training.  Develop a personal master plan of educating yourself to take advantage of career opportunities in your chosen field or in some other area.  Consider “learning more” as your ultimate reward.  And, if you happen to be one who is reduced from the workforce, your training can be a tremendous asset to help you land on your feet or change the direction of your career. 

(5)                          Be willing to change.  You’ll never view a roadblock in your career path as an obstacle if you maintain an open mind about change.  Those who adapt, survive.  Rigidity only serves to make it easier for you to be crumbled and crushed by workplace forces. 

(6)                          Display a high degree of energy, initiative / drive, determination and decisiveness.  Get adequate rest, exercise to develop endurance, eat healthy and your energy level will rise.  You’ll be able to get more done and feel better in the process.  Go on the offensive and remove passivity from your attitude.  Be driven by desire to maximize your opportunities.  Take moderate risks and display the ability to take a stance.  Nobody appreciates vacillation on issues.  Think them through carefully and then be decisive in taking action.  Inertia gets you nowhere.

Thought of the Month—Ask For Your Expectations
(Author Unknown)
 

I bargained with life for a penny and life would pay no more

However I begged at evening when I counted my scanty score.

For life is a just employer.  He gives you what you ask.

But once you have set the wages, why you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial’s hire, only to learn dismayed,

That any wage I had asked of life, life would have willingly paid.
 

Mistaken Management Mindset

            If there is a bit of chaos in your department and you manage it, the bad news is that it’s your responsibility to bring order back.  Chances are you may be a victim of one of the following mistakes too often made by those in charge when major change is on the horizon.  Look through the list and painstakingly analyze your management practices to see if you are of this mistaken mindset.

1.      You don’t provide clear directions to your workers.  What is said and what is understood are often two very distinctive things!  Check and recheck to be sure your directions are clearly understood before allowing work to proceed.  The wrong action is a waste of energy, a demotivator, and a tremendous loss of productivity.

2.      You blame all mistakes on your people.  As I said in the opening paragraph, you are in charge.  That means you cannot escape blame when things go astray and the objectives are not achieved.

3.      You give lip service to the commitment.  If workers sense that your commitment is soft, you lose momentum.  This is particularly important when your company is undertaking a real culture overhaul.  As a leader, you must be committed to supporting the change and that message must be sent to all who work under your supervision.

4.      You don’t think your employees are smart enough to handle the transition.  Believe in the abilities of your workers.  Stretch their abilities.  Challenge them.  Your belief goes a long way.  Unfortunately, your lack of belief is equally impactful.

5.      You don’t want to experience failures as you strive to implement the improvements.  No one is perfect.  No department is errorless.  Proper preparation reduces risk but does not guarantee the elimination of failure.  Learn from mistakes.  Make them a growing experience and don’t allow a temporary setback to discourage progress.

6.      You don’t organize your department as a team.  Two heads are better than one and the collective wisdom of a team is stronger than any one member.  Support a team atmosphere where cooperation is the norm and members support, not tear down.

A Bit About Billy

Billy Arcement, MEd—the choice for your next business meeting, in-house training, convention keynote, workshop, or management-consulting project—has a two-fold focus. He “teaches politically free boardmenship that keeps children first” to school board members and, in the business sector, he “teaches business leaders how to develop a culture of teamwork, productivity, and profits.”

Billy is a seasoned presenter, leader and manager.  His “Cajun Stories” bring a special brand of humor to your meetings, delights your audience and helps drive home the points presented.  It’s a winning combination guaranteed to make your event a success.  Call us.  We’d love to help!  Go to http://www.searchingforsuccess.com to learn more about Billy’s programs and services.  Our results are guaranteed!

Build Your Success Library

Could you use a little more success in your life?  Order my book, Searching for Success.  Apply the principles discussed and watch what happens.  I guarantee you will sense the improvement or I’ll refund your payment!  Contact us and we’ll ship the book to you the same day.  Email or phone in your order and we’ll bill you.  We’re trusting people!

A Thought on Leadership

“You can buy a man’s time.  You can buy his physical presence at a given place.

You can even buy a measured number of his skilled muscular motions per hour.

But you cannot buy enthusiasm.  You cannot buy loyalty.

You cannot buy the devotion of hearts, minds or souls.

You must earn these.”

Clarence Francis

Staying In Touch To Grow

 Please notify us if your email address changes.  Send your new address to barcement@eatel.net and we’ll update our distribution list.  If you enjoyed what you’ve read, please forward this newsletter to a friend who might get a pointer or two from these messages.  Send us their email address, to add them to our distribution list.

Need filler for a publication?

You may reprint content from this newsletter or from past issues.  We’re also happy to provide you with articles from our archive of previously published articles for use in one of your publications.  Send an email request to barcement@eatel.net and specify your needs.

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