Archive for the ‘Company Culture Change’ Category

Change Your Routine, Change Your Life

Monday, January 23rd, 2023

Is this your last day on planet Earth? Probably not, hope not. And yet you never know.

There is no guarantee how long we get to go around this planet. But the reality is that we can make every day we live on this planet our masterpiece by creating opportunities and seeing possibilities and living vivaciously as if this could be our last day on planet Earth.

Yet many people plod along, they wake up in the morning, they make coffee, they drive to work, they punch in, they do their job, they punch out. They drive home, they watch television, they eat dinner, they go to sleep, they wake up, they make coffee, they drive to work, they punch in.

They’re not making their life a masterpiece.

We have one chance every single day to start from scratch, to create opportunities that could change our life forever.

Decide to make today your masterpiece.

The Perfect Cosmic Accounting System…

Monday, January 2nd, 2023
 

Go Above and Beyond Without Asking

Remember the last time someone on your team really had your back? I mean, the time where they really looked out for you.

Doesn’t that feel good when somebody looks out for you, steps in, and goes above and beyond without you even asking? You know what that feels like to be on the receiving end of that.

So what if instead, you became the person who had your teammates’ back? And that you consciously found ways—and chose to execute on those ways—to make sure that you’re stepping in to make their lives better; to help them be more successful in their jobs; to have their back when they’re in trouble.

What would that feel like for you? Yes, it’s going to feel great for them—but I’m asking you this question: What would it feel like for you? Ah, it’s going to feel good, isn’t it… Why?

The World has a Perfect Accounting System

Life gives to the givers and takes from the takers; the world has a perfect accounting system. What an opportunity that we have to make conscious choices about having others’ backs.

So this week before you say “Thank God, it’s Monday” again, set the intention that you will reach out to make a substantial difference in at least three of your co-workers’ lives by having their back and going above and beyond the call of duty.

Isn’t it fun to surprise people?

Have some fun! I can’t wait to hear the stories about what you did…

– Roxanne Emmerich


The games people play…

Monday, December 5th, 2022
 

The Games People Play

Whether it’s conscious or subconscious, many people play games in the workplace. When I say “play games,” that isn’t exactly a compliment. I’m not referring to workplaces that have bean bags and foosball tables.

For instance, if your supervisor asks you to get something done, and you pretend later not to know about the assignment, and at the time that it’s due, you start to ask questions? That’s not going to go so well.

When bank employees play games in the workplace, it isn’t a good thing because what they’re doing is basically pretending not to know. It’s also called passive-aggressive behavior. Pretending not to know you are engaging in passive-aggressive conversation and behavior is not attractive in adults.

Get Conditions of Satsifaction

Instead, whenever you are unclear about something, get your conditions of satisfaction that we discussed before. And if it looks like you might be missing a deadline, negotiate well in advance and let your boss know well in advance that…

  1. there is an obstacle
  2. what it is
  3. what you’re doing to get around it
  4. and what your new intended deadline would be.

Ask if that is acceptable, because sometimes just because you’ve negotiated for it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically going to be a “Yes” answer from your boss. Maybe you have to reprioritize something else to get it done.

That cleanliness in how you have that conversation makes a big difference in the relationship and the outcomes of your job. Be very thoughtful about keeping your conversations clean, make direct requests of people, fulfill on those, and if you blow it for whatever reason, just say these beautiful words, “I blew it.” It’s that simple.

Everybody knows that everybody makes mistakes. That part’s okay. Granted, that obviously can’t happen every day, all day long. But when you make a mistake, how you handle that mistake defines who you are to everyone around you. It is a sign of your character. So, next time you blow it simply say these 3 words, “I blew it.”

Here’s my massive corrective action plan:

Number one, make sure it never happens again.

And number two, make sure this gets corrected and caught up.

When the Answer is Always “Now”

Monday, November 28th, 2022
 

How could I create a ‘wow’ experience here?

What if you thought about every encounter with the customer as a chance to create a “wow” encounter?

Let’s face it, you’re either going to have a “wow” encounter or an unwow one. It’s never a neutral event. So we need to constantly ask ourselves, “How could I create a ‘wow’ experience here?”

Now as we’re thinking about “wow” experiences, we can’t forget the internal customers—you know, those who are working within our organization and who need to support those outside of our organization (AKA the customer). These internal customers need to have “wow” experiences as well.

So whether you’re an internal customer service person or an external customer service person, think about the “wow” encounter and never forget what Guy Kawasaki talked about, “No matter when your supervisor asks for something, the answer is always ‘now.’”

When they’re asking for something to be done, make sure to prioritize what they need because they probably have an outcome and a customer experience that they need to create. AND them having to wait means that they cannot create that “wow” experience for their customer!

Always approach every encounter with every person that you work with—including your customers—as the potential to create a “Wow, That was amazing!” type of experience.

What if you started approaching it that way today?

– Roxanne Emmerich


One of the Best Ways to Earn the Respect of Your Team…

Monday, November 21st, 2022
 

Focus on Quality

When I go into one of the workplaces of the clients that we work with and see a sign that says “Clean up behind yourself. Your mother doesn’t work here,” I got to tell you… it rubs me the wrong way.

I find it just a little bit insulting. That said, there is a message there that is probably more important outside of the break room. And that is this: we are all required to do our job well, which means it’s absolutely important to double check—and sometimes triple check—the quality of our work.

When we don’t focus in on that quality, we leave messes for those behind us.

Be Attentive and Have Respect

Listen… You’ve got to get your ego in check and realize that you too make mistakes and that you need to respect the need for accuracy.

Maybe you’re the kind of person who is always accurate anyway (Really though, you’ll still probably want to double check for accuracy).

If you know that you’re not all that accurate, you probably need to check three—or maybe four—times to make sure that you don’t get a reputation as the person being told  “your mama doesn’t work here” and making somebody else clean up behind you.

Be attentive and have respect for the quality of what you put out. You will earn the respect of those on your team.

– Roxanne Emmerich