RSJ/Swenson presentation on Management & Leadership Trends for Business in 2009
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Are There Challenges in 2009?Are There Challenges in 2009?
• Are You Kidding Me?
• The Most Challenging Year For Businesses In Our Lifetime.– A world full of unknowns. – The businesses that succeed will be those who can quickly
adapt to change; embrace unknowns; and innovate.
• Successful Small Business Owners Don’t Look At This Recession As A Challenge – They Look At It As An Opportunity. – Your competition is going to struggle, but that
Employees ARE TRANSFORMING THEIR MENTALITYEmployees ARE TRANSFORMING THEIR MENTALITY
• It’s Going From “Entitlement” To “Privilege”
• Entitlement:– Attitude is when an employee feels owed by their employers. – Employee can pick up and leave for a better opportunity at the first sign of
disappointment. – Attitude is generally not that of a team player – but as an individual who
deserves promotion, salary increases and more attention.
• Privilege– Everyone knows that layoffs have been pervasive, and they could be the next
to go. – This will result – if managed properly – in employees who will complain less,
work harder, and become more appreciative of the job they have.
Adapting to change is key to success Adapting to change is key to success (continued)
• Managing Change– You're a leader. You are on stage. – You're not allowed to show frustration or weakness. – Leaders lead - they say "here is the way I believe we need to go,"
and then go. – This is the attitude you must take when managing change.
• Virtually Any Change Breeds Opportunity - The Key Is Finding The Opportunity And Acting On It. – Focus on the positive.
Wage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalentWage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalent
• If You’re Going To Terminate Or Reduce An Employee, They’re Going To Look For A Way To Get Money – Especially In A Dismal Job Marketplace.– They have more time and more incentive to file.
• If You Plan Reductions-In-Force Or Layoffs, – Your house needs to be in order before you take action. – Labor lawyers are changing their practices to focus solely on
wage and hour lawsuits, which are easy to prove.– Violations are myriad in businesses throughout the United
States – especially in California.
Wage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalent Wage & hour lawsuits will become even more prevalent (continued)(continued)
• Employees Everywhere Are Reading About The Huge Sums Of Money ‘Won’ By Disgruntled Ex-employees Filing Lawsuits Against Their Employers. – The major focus will be on:
• Exempt or non-exempt status.• Meal and break periods.• ‘Independent contractor’ should properly have been classified as an
employee.
• Think It Can’t Happen To You? Or Is Your Excuse That You’ve Never Had It Happen To You Before? – All it takes is one employee to talk to an attorney. – Ask Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Electronic Arts, and the thousands
of small businesses that have paid hundreds of millions of dollars in the past year.
Businesses that communicate effectively are those Businesses that communicate effectively are those who will succeedwho will succeed
• It Is Imperative That Frequent And Clear Communication Lead The Way To Your Success.
• There Is Fear In The Marketplace. – Employees are wondering if you’re going to cut staff, perquisites, and their
free coffee. – Employees are heavily invested in the success of their business, and they have
a right to know what you’re doing. • Even saying, “I don’t know” is preferable to not communicating. • It’s more than a memo or company-wide e-mail. • Managers and supervisors must be empowered to candidly talk with their staffs as
well.
• Before You Consider Cuts, Survey Your Employees: – What benefits would you cut if we needed to? – You will be surprised that the suggestions you get.
• Involve Everyone– Put together groups of your employees into focus
sessions. – Ask them what they would do if they were in your shoes. – Encourage participation and never denigrate an idea. – At this time – any idea is worthy of exploration.
• Competition Will Be Inert This Year. – The best way to excel over your competitors is
This presentation, like all materials, training, and services offered by RSJ/Swenson LLC are offered and sold with the understanding that it is not engaged in rendering legal counseling or other professional service. If legal counseling or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent
practitioner in the relevant area should be sought.
• In 2009, the business owner and leader who has the ability to honestly evaluate talent, performance and make the decisions necessary to sustain the business not just in the short term, but for the long term, is the leader who will be highly successful both this year and beyond.