I have started growing bonsai trees. It is immensely satisfying and the results are beautiful. It is not too difficult, this is how you do it… Pick a plant species that responds well Carefully trim back its roots and branches Choose a small container to constrain growth Plant in well-drained soil Feed and water regularly […]
Performance Appraisals: You Wouldn’t do Them at Home…
I love my wife dearly, but there are a couple of areas that she really could sharpen up on, areas that would improve her performance and deepen her satisfaction with her home life. Fortunately I am a very experienced manager with a large team of engaged employees and know exactly what to do to motivate and […]
Should you go to Work in Your Slippers?
How would it be if you could come and go at work just as you pleased? If nobody checked your hours, if you didn’t have to attend meetings and if the only stick you were measured by was the results you achieved? If you believe the articles the American retailer Best Buy has created that […]
What Can Your Mother Teach You About Incentives?
In 2003 the economist Anton Suvorov developed the “principal agent theory”. He investigated the way agents (think employees or children) react to the interventions of principals (think bosses or parents). He looked at the way rewards and bonuses act. All very clever and insightful stuff. I was discussing it with my mother. She smiled at […]
You are a Very Naughty Boy
Performance management I was talking to one of our HR managers the other day. He was ranting about one of our employees. This employee (let’s call him Frank) has been struggling for a while, his attitude is a little, how can I put it, negative, he always has a reason why things can’t be done […]