'Ben Thinking' -- 2024, Issue 9

We’ve hit July. The Saturday of the year. The midway point of the summer.

I have some vacation coming up and will be out for a few weeks. So, in light of that, and the upcoming holiday weekend (here in the states) this will be the only 'Ben Thinking' for July. I’ll return to your LinkedIn stream and inboxes in August.

This week, we’re covering a variety of topics, including coffee badging, mouse jiggling….no, I’m serious. These are REAL topics! Anyways, coffee badging, mouse jiggling, compassionate accountability, manufacturing trends, CEO worries and Blue Zones.

?Let’s get started.

The latest workplace trend, coffee badging is more harmless than you think.

Wait. WAIT. What is coffee badging? Is this real? Is it something I should pay attention to? Is it harmless? Is there a better name for this??

Yes, it’s real.?Maybe?you should pay attention to it. No, it doesn’t seem harmless. Yes, there should be a better name for it.?

(This trend makes me think of the?Seinfeld?where?George looks annoyed just to avoid work.)?

Mouse jigglers?

As my dad used to tell me, “you know, by the time you figured out how?not?to do something…you could’ve just done it.”

There is something to be said here for the larger issue at play – the distrust between employees and employers. If you work at home, and have things to do, it shouldn’t be a problem if it doesn’t interfere with your job. If your employees are afraid to tell you they have things to do, maybe the challenge is in the culture that’s been allowed to fester?

Either way, and this is more of a gut feeling/opinion than anything, I wonder if work has become less important than hobbies??

3 ways to compassionately hold your team accountable

Do you hold yourself accountable? Probably, right? But do you hold yourself accountable for your part or others? Managing people is hard enough. Trying to hold them accountable in a way that benefits them (and you) and most importantly, your organization, is not easy.?

5 key challenges facing U.S. manufacturing in the back half of 2024

There are some familiar themes in this read. But as you digest it, ask yourself – what are you going to do about it??

At a certain point you have to stop asking what’s happening and start answering what you’re going to do about it. The bad news? There really isn’t a defined place to start. The good news is the same – so no matter where you start, just start.

CEO priorities and obstacles for the rest of 2024

A lot of juicy info in here. But the number one priority? Employee retention AND engagement. (You know what’s NOT on the list? AI, period.)

You know what should be on the list? Cybersecurity and crisis planning.

Why?

Because “cybersecurity is the new safety” in the manufacturing space.

If this isn’t part of your annual planning process, please consider including it. Also featured: a link to download the?Cybersecurity 2024 special report. (Same link as the title link.)

The Global Gender Gap Report 2024: How are we doing closing the gap?

Good news! It will only take 134 years to reach full parity.?

I don’t think we’re gonna hit that 2030 deadline.

For the pod squad:

I know podcasts aren’t for everyone (hence the subtitle ‘pod squad’). But for those of us who love them…there is no better way to get ready for a drive, a long walk or just doing chores around the house.

This pod is a little lighter as it doesn’t really have anything to do with business. It’s a recent episode of?10 Percent Happier and dives deep into the secrets (and controversies) of Blue Zones.?I have been a little obsessed with Blue Zones the last few years so this jumped out at me. Hope you find it interesting.

Need a speaker, facilitator, panelist or moderator?

I would be happy to contribute to your next event or planning session.?Contact me?to talk more.

Feel free to share with anyone else you think would enjoy the articles and resources!

Have a fun holiday weekend!

-Ben