Lexington, KY - When Bob Nelson wrote "1001 Ways to Reward Employees," he quickly became the go-to guy for thousands of managers, small business owners and human resource professionals looking to motivate their workforces. The book was surnamed the "Rewards Bible," or "Rewards Dictionary," as it became a must-have for business. His insightful advice addressing day-to-day realities, created new standards for companies wanting to improve practices and programs.
Nelson is again setting the bar for business, this time in a changed environment where keeping employees focused and motivated is more challenging than ever. "Keeping Up in A Down Economy" takes on the need to create a more positive work environment during the worst economic downturn since the 1930s. The result is a dynamic, practical guide that should become the next "Bible" for those wanting to thrive - or just survive - during continuing economic challenges.
Nelson is among the best business writers today in taking research and giving it practical application for anyone in the workforce. His book is filled with relevant and revealing examples of all types of companies nationwide that are exploring and finding solutions to the negative circumstances of the current economy.
He starts on an upward note; by taking positive actions, many companies in the past actually began or grew substantially during recessions. Andrew Carnegie created his first steel mill during a depression. GE, Disney, Kellogg, and Proctor and Gamble all expanded during the Great Depression.
More recently, management at Hewlett-Packard in 2008 changed practices and reduced costs, enabling them to post profits when competitors did not. Wal-Mart positioned itself strategically during the recession, in part, by changing its slogan. "Save money, live better" has underscored the company's focus on helping customers find bargains.
Even with these successes, challenges remain, according to Nelson. "Recessionary times bring more stress, anxiety and fear to all employees which, if left unchecked, creates a negative work environment that leads to declining morale, eroding trust and loss of productivity," Nelson says.
Management in any company can make a difference, creating positive circumstances for employees who in turn allow the company to compete more effectively. At times, this can be as simple as returning to management basics such as better customer service, process improvement and sales strategies.
"These basics are even more critical in tough times," Nelson says. "And can make the difference between success and failure for many organizations today."
There are fundamentals that can enable employers to keep their workforces engaged and productive. Nelson lays out ideas for implementing these to successful ends. Among the ideas:
1. Set a clear, compelling direction that empowers each employee. All performance starts with clear goals. In a quickly changing environment, goals have to change quickly as well. When companies lay off workers, they often make the mistake of having the remaining people do the job of two or three people. Ask what is mission-critical for success or you overwhelm staff and set them up for failure.
2. Maintain open and honest communication. Do you think your staff can't handle the truth? Think again. If you involve employees in communication, they often have answers. And yes, you need a plan for dealing with rumors.
3. Involve employees and encourage initiative. Employees are the best source for revenue-generating ideas, cost-saving suggestions, process improvements and even new products and services. An employee suggestion for successful collections led to a $1 million-dollar savings at Champion.
4. Increase employee autonomy, flexibility and support. In a down economy, reassigning work and workers becomes the norm. Nelson cites VistaPrint in Lexington as a company that has made a practice of reassigning employees even when times are good. Employees are better able to understand the business and the need for change as it grows.
5. Continue focus on career growth and development. Training is often the first to be cut during a recession, and this common mistake is often responsible for difficulties. Enhancing employees' skills pays off both in the short term and long term. Leadership training is crucial at a time when new strategies are needed.
The tools and techniques in this book are easy to implement, and require little or no budget. The numerous examples drawn from organizations that have implemented these ideas show them to be positive and successful. Implementing the strategies in this book can mean the difference between failure and success, particularly in tough times.