Should we? Hmm

I've been thinking of work, customers and the work place more and more lately.?Part of it is with recent layoffs, a little more of the mice in head going.??I have a lot of tread left on tires but I do feel my treads have seen some roads I continue to learn from.?Let me give you some thoughts on a view from the beaten path.??

Customer Service - not just as a function, rather a real servant aspect is never out of style.?Odd to say this, but in mhy last job I thoroughly enjoyed helping 3 hours?past closing time. I enjoyed taking calls, even from those who were not happy with what we did or didn't do.?Currently as I dash food, I am embracing the joy of?serving customers, even those who don't tip well.?Texting them that I have arrived at restaurant and the status of their orders via real text is bringing me great joy.Letting them know I appreciate their business is rewarding.??

Company Culture - not a Mission Statement that sounds good and is instead, empty of teeth is not the way to go.?I'd rather no mission/value statement and just honest, up front integrity and employee acknowledgement would more than suffice.?Now if one can do a mission/value statement where it shows where each department and person?fit in PLUS truly acknowledgve employees, WOW!??

Developing Employees - this should be paramount to any organization.?As a manager, if I'm not educating, sharing and helping folks to grow, then what value am I??Too often over the many years I've seen managers not educate those that report to them.?Not sure if this is because they don't know how to share, teach or just believe that people should learn by watching. Ensuring they have training and resources is part of the process.??This helps employees and ultimately the customers which leads to great things for the company.??

Remote and Hybrid - Can be and continues to be successful.?Not all jobs can or should, but be honest in assessment to really determine if there is a better option.?Far too many employers believe that one MUST be in the office to see, hear and meet with coworkers to be successful.?Instead, I've found that employees have more than?conquered the thoughts that one has to be in office.?Employees are happy and they have so much going on that working at an office, just to work at an office, is?anything but productive.?When one can go into an office and not see their managers for days really quite simply, sucks and points to the non value of being at the office.

When you hear cries to the worker bees that by coming to the office they will gain so much value could be real but does it??Is it better for an employee to drive an hour?to and from office each day, be stressed, and then deal with office politics? OR is it better to be entrusted to work from home and be safe, near family and have access to a manager and employees that care???

Just because you CAN, DOES NOT mean you SHOULD - this has been so real for the last six years and continues to be revealed as truth each day.?I have found that it is?much better to be humble, honest, transparent and sincerely care in order to be successful.?This also means finding out what employee want, what they believe, and before a consultant is hired, please listen to these front end folks.?They know what they speak of.??

Analytics - Easily an over used word or process.?Be sincere in what you are seeking. Analytics is about being curious.?It is also about allowing the data to be true?and used objectively.?If there are issues, use data to be allowed to paint the picture.?Don't justify - listen and be honest.?Treat the capturing of data as sensitive as putting away delicate dishes.?Love it! Embrace it!?Ensure that the data is nurtured and allowed to breathe.?Then ensure you do not Do because you CAN.?Do with the?data the right thing right.??

In the end, my path has been interesting, but I have been happy to learn and confirm along the way. Make a difference and treat those you care for, with love and respect.