Stacey, from Culture Rx, was assigned to help me stay sane during this transition. She's brilliant and I was happy to meet with her over the phone today. It's funny. I had a list of things to cover and on that list was the logistics of the workshop - she also had that on her list. And our punch list items were nearly identical! That's how I knew I really liked her because she and I were on the same wave length!
1. Logistics - Jodi & Michael will need to stay in Topeka. I suggested something on Wanamaker as the rest of this town is pretty unpredictable and disgusting. She will send me a Power Point presentation and also some sludge buttons (I love buttons - I'm pretty sure that's what she said - that's what I wrote down so I do hope I'm not mistaken here. But if they are party hats instead of buttons that's even better because I do love a hat!) She will also send me some handouts that I'll need to get to the remote staff. We're going to use our cool WebEx virtual training center so the remote staff can participate and see, etc. Stacey thought Jodi would love our technology so I'm VERY excited to share it with her! We determined we'd have lunch brought in. I did ask if there were any special diet considerations on their end and she indicated Michael is a Vegan. Egads. I wonder if there are any Vegan places in town? We're kind of a Sirloin Stockade, Golden Corral kind of town. I know there are two vegetarians on our staff, so hopefully one of them can help me with this mission. She said Jodi isn't particular. I'm hoping she'll just eat a tub of chocolate ice cream with me for lunch!
2. I talked to her about what to do with our vacation/sick time. We don't have an accounting issue because we do not accrue it on our books. But it is there and accrued. We talked about allowing people to continue to use the time from September 1st when we go live with ROWE until December 31st. But I was nervous about that - if everyone is working under ROWE AND taking vacation/sick time I fear we'll get behind on work and everyone will pretty much be gone all the time trying to hurry and burn up their vacation/sick time. (It's that whole sense of entitlement thing that drives people to do that kind of thing). I suggested we just take it away, but leave the accrued vacation hours on the spreadsheet in case ROWE doesn't work and we have to revert back to a traditional (boring, non-productive, undesirable) work culture - then everyone would just pick up where they left off. We finally decided that I would just watch peoples' reaction on Tuesday and listen to the buzz around the office after they had read the book. Based on reactions and buzzing, we could then decide how to handle this matter. I haven't taken a vacation yet this year personally - and have a TON of hours - I'm willing to forfeit them to go to ROWE - hopefully others see it the way I do.
3. I was concerned about medical leaves and returning to work, etc. Lump in this conversation short and long-term disability. We decided that we could still require people to provide a doctor's note releasing them to return to work if they were absent for more than 3 days. We do that to ensure they are fit to work and don't end up hurt or sick and then sue us. Stacey agreed that we should continue this policy. We don't offer short-term disability, but some staff could have it through their voluntary benefits. We do offer long-term disability. Stacey admitted that it can get tricky with these two benefits because people are often-times able to work from home, so the insurance company then hassles them about paying the disability, etc. She said to just keep them intact for now and handle them on a case by case basis. While I don't see it as anything we will face in our near future - anything is possible and I just hope it doesn't turn into a major ordeal if we have to handle a situation like this.
4. We talked about our announcement to the staff next Tuesday. I asked her if she thought it would be appropriate for me to read an excerpt from the book as an opening. She thought that would work well and that I should also state why this is good for the company and why it is good for them. Then hand them the book and tell them their homework is to read it before August 31st.
5. We then talked about a situation we currently have wherein we offer up "extra work" for a cash bonus. We do this when unforeseen projects come up and threaten to derail our other major projects/deadlines. She thought we could continue to do this once in a while but to be aware that people might intentionally start using the system to ensure they get "extra" work and that cash bonus. Good point. I'm glad she brought it to my attention!
I am SO excited for next Tuesday. I think I'll see if my colleague will video tape the announcement, because I'm not sure I'll be able to absorb every person's reaction there on the spot. My bagful of excuses is going to be on vacation next week and unable to attend the meeting. I really want him there - we're day two into me prodding and encouraging him to give up and hour of his vacation to conference in. The excuses are amazing - wife doesn't like it (she will when she hears what we had to say)
- cell phone doesn't have coverage there (try a land line - they're amazing)
- other parties in his traveling party don't like it (don't know them - don't care)
- the meeting is too long (it's an hour - you'll survive)
- I've forgotten the others
I hope he makes it to the meeting and I hope he can make this transition.
6 days to announcement!!! And actually - only 3 business days!!!
Thank you to Stacey for all the wonderful advice today!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
One Week Before Announcement!
Wow. Seriously almost an entire week has passed since I last posted. That's just what happens when you are in a ROWE - totally lose track of the days - that's what my new friend Stacy at Culture Rx tells me! And I cannot wait to find out for myself!
Monday I got stuck at a baseball tournament unexpectedly so I was dashing around juggling meetings and appointments so I could be at that tournament. Do you know that I did it! I juggled it all. I did not feel one ounce of guilt for it either. It's liberating! Not feeling guilty is a wonderful thing.
Tuesday I went to the new office space to see the suggested floorplans and layouts they had put together. They looked great so now they are trying to price it all out. Gosh I hope they can find what we want/need within our budget. I'm starting to get nervous because we don't have it all finalized and yet we're taking the staff over there next Tuesday morning. I explained to the design group that it was critical we walk in there with a plan. We can't be hauling the group over there and then, when asked where everyone will sit and what it will look like, respond with "we dunno". Hopefully they get it done - I better call over there tomorrow just to prod them along.
Tuesday most of my direct staff and I participated in a demo conducted by Parature. The demo was of their hosted Help Desk solution. It is awesome!!! 360 degree help desk so customers can help themselves and track their own tickets to see progress, etc. It also integrates with Facebook and other social media channels. I'm very excited to further investigate this type of solution. I fear the Parature solution is outside our budget based on some initial pricing the sweet gal gave me, but we're going to put together and RFP and submit it to them anyway. I mentioned it to one of our sales guys and he said it sounded cool and he was very excited about all the changes. I told him to go close some deals so we can move forward with ALL of the changes. :-0
My fuse was short with one of my staff members AGAIN yesterday. He really is a bagful of excuses. At one point during a conference call I was literally pulling my hair and laying my head on my desk. And all I could think was, "I cannot WAIT until we go to this ROWE because in that environment I'd bet he figures out how to get things done in the time frame provided. And when it's HIS time at stake, I bet he doesn't sit on the phone with me for hours upon end being obtuse and coy." I'm unamused. Needs more time. I finally just snapped and said we were going to be moving very fast and very furiously and we don't have time to offer extensions on every project - they just need to get done so we can move on to the next project.
The Work Sucks (and how to fix it) books arrived!!! 20 beautiful books neatly packed in a box. I tore into the box and just stared at them. It's real! It's happening. And I adore those books. I caressed a few of them. And I need mine back from the Chairman. I'm LOST without it! I wanted to look something up in it today and I couldn't. (I was not in the office today so I couldn't look it up in one of the 20 books sitting in the box either!) I checked on his progress yesterday - he had not ready but maybe 2 chapters since I loaned him my book last Thursday - but he assured me he likes what he's read thus far. I really hope he gets it done before Tuesday. I better follow up with him tomorrow or Friday also.
Up next - conference call with Stacey from Culture Rx. OH - but Cali sent the contract to me - I signed it and my colleague took pictures of me signing it - just my hand holding the pen and signing my name!!! It can be a part of the scrapbook we're putting together!
Monday I got stuck at a baseball tournament unexpectedly so I was dashing around juggling meetings and appointments so I could be at that tournament. Do you know that I did it! I juggled it all. I did not feel one ounce of guilt for it either. It's liberating! Not feeling guilty is a wonderful thing.
Tuesday I went to the new office space to see the suggested floorplans and layouts they had put together. They looked great so now they are trying to price it all out. Gosh I hope they can find what we want/need within our budget. I'm starting to get nervous because we don't have it all finalized and yet we're taking the staff over there next Tuesday morning. I explained to the design group that it was critical we walk in there with a plan. We can't be hauling the group over there and then, when asked where everyone will sit and what it will look like, respond with "we dunno". Hopefully they get it done - I better call over there tomorrow just to prod them along.
Tuesday most of my direct staff and I participated in a demo conducted by Parature. The demo was of their hosted Help Desk solution. It is awesome!!! 360 degree help desk so customers can help themselves and track their own tickets to see progress, etc. It also integrates with Facebook and other social media channels. I'm very excited to further investigate this type of solution. I fear the Parature solution is outside our budget based on some initial pricing the sweet gal gave me, but we're going to put together and RFP and submit it to them anyway. I mentioned it to one of our sales guys and he said it sounded cool and he was very excited about all the changes. I told him to go close some deals so we can move forward with ALL of the changes. :-0
My fuse was short with one of my staff members AGAIN yesterday. He really is a bagful of excuses. At one point during a conference call I was literally pulling my hair and laying my head on my desk. And all I could think was, "I cannot WAIT until we go to this ROWE because in that environment I'd bet he figures out how to get things done in the time frame provided. And when it's HIS time at stake, I bet he doesn't sit on the phone with me for hours upon end being obtuse and coy." I'm unamused. Needs more time. I finally just snapped and said we were going to be moving very fast and very furiously and we don't have time to offer extensions on every project - they just need to get done so we can move on to the next project.
The Work Sucks (and how to fix it) books arrived!!! 20 beautiful books neatly packed in a box. I tore into the box and just stared at them. It's real! It's happening. And I adore those books. I caressed a few of them. And I need mine back from the Chairman. I'm LOST without it! I wanted to look something up in it today and I couldn't. (I was not in the office today so I couldn't look it up in one of the 20 books sitting in the box either!) I checked on his progress yesterday - he had not ready but maybe 2 chapters since I loaned him my book last Thursday - but he assured me he likes what he's read thus far. I really hope he gets it done before Tuesday. I better follow up with him tomorrow or Friday also.
Up next - conference call with Stacey from Culture Rx. OH - but Cali sent the contract to me - I signed it and my colleague took pictures of me signing it - just my hand holding the pen and signing my name!!! It can be a part of the scrapbook we're putting together!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Nothing a Little Sugar Can't Cure (the hiccup, that is)
Met with the Chairman today. Gave him the whole back ground on this journey of mine leading up to the introduction of ROWE. He listened intently and with sincerity - like he always does - because he is a man of heart and reason. He was excited! He couldn't wait to get his hands on the book - but for some reason I was having trouble handing it over. I don't like loaning out my book - HA! It's like my Bible or something. I like to look at the highlighted words, and then look between the highlighted words to see what I may have missed the first go around. And then I highlight some more. I imagine that soon, the entire book will be yellow!
But I handed it over at the end of our conversation. He asked what he could do to help. I indicated he could read the book and then come back to me with questions or concerns and I would talk through those with him - but ultimately I need and want him to be a cheerleader for this - but I want it to be genuine and sincere. He committed to read the book and get back with me. I think I might have noticed a slight skip in his step as he left my office!
He then hopped immediately on e-mail and sent his son and business partner in his other business the name of the book and recommended they also read it right away because they are having some cultural issues in that business as well. He asked me to confirm this is a good idea before he hit "send" - I assured him it is an AWESOME idea!!!
I can't WAIT to hear his feedback after he's read the book! I hope he's at home reading it right now!
We have started toying with Google Apps here in the office - slick online tool! I set up a site for the sales staff, posted a few things out there and also put all the tools and documents they need to do their jobs on their site! Monday I will walk them throught it and I hope they find it as helpful as I want them to!
Sat in on a webinar about Social Media in service today - very fascinating. I wonder how many of my staff also listened in as I suggested they do. It will be interesting to hear their reactions and thoughts to this. Add that to the list of things to work on - Social Media - B There or B Square.
And I've signed us up for a demo of a hosted Help Desk solution - I really hope people are starting to catch on to the fact that we're serious about change and we're moving at lightening speed!!!
Great Day!
But I handed it over at the end of our conversation. He asked what he could do to help. I indicated he could read the book and then come back to me with questions or concerns and I would talk through those with him - but ultimately I need and want him to be a cheerleader for this - but I want it to be genuine and sincere. He committed to read the book and get back with me. I think I might have noticed a slight skip in his step as he left my office!
He then hopped immediately on e-mail and sent his son and business partner in his other business the name of the book and recommended they also read it right away because they are having some cultural issues in that business as well. He asked me to confirm this is a good idea before he hit "send" - I assured him it is an AWESOME idea!!!
I can't WAIT to hear his feedback after he's read the book! I hope he's at home reading it right now!
We have started toying with Google Apps here in the office - slick online tool! I set up a site for the sales staff, posted a few things out there and also put all the tools and documents they need to do their jobs on their site! Monday I will walk them throught it and I hope they find it as helpful as I want them to!
Sat in on a webinar about Social Media in service today - very fascinating. I wonder how many of my staff also listened in as I suggested they do. It will be interesting to hear their reactions and thoughts to this. Add that to the list of things to work on - Social Media - B There or B Square.
And I've signed us up for a demo of a hosted Help Desk solution - I really hope people are starting to catch on to the fact that we're serious about change and we're moving at lightening speed!!!
Great Day!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hiccup
We hit a slight hiccup today - I imagine it will not be the last either. It hasn't derailed us and I'd rather expected it so I'm not really horribly upset by it.
As we look to move into this new office space, we had not planned to accomodate our chairman in our new space. Since he became our chairman back in 2000 or maybe it was 1999, we've always provided him a private office. But the new space doesn't really allow us to do this AND we didn't really feel it was in his best interest any longer. He's not actively involved in the day to day operations or activities of the company. He's actually about 99% hands-off. But he's a gem of a man and has a huge cash investment in our company, so we typically oblige him when it comes to the private office.
Well, we had to tell him we weren't taking him with us. And because of his age and some other stressors in his life, he is a tad fragile of late and this news did not settle well with him. He became upset and took it personally and accused us of not wanting him around any longer and it was all just kind of sad. See, yesterday, I saw him in the parking lot and I just had this gut feeling that something was "off" with him. So I suggested to the CEO that we bring him in, tell him straight up we're moving to a ROWE and be forthright in the fact that we don't think he can handle being in the office and not seeing everyone there every day. I think he's the kind of man that can understand this and appreciate the honesty and candor. Well, the CEO is heading out on vacation tomorrow and didn't want to open that can of worms until his return. So this morning, that's when the chairman got upset and took it personally and was crying and it was just all so horrible. Like I said - he's a very kind man that has put so much faith and trust into us - and especially me - over the years - I just felt horrible. Sneaky. When in fact, there is NOTHING to hide. NOTHING.
So the CEO and I went to lunch and the CEO determined that my idea yesterday about coming out in the open with the Chairman NOW vs at the Company Meeting on August 3rd would in fact be a better approach. So I get the fun task of speaking to him about ROWE and explaining that and selling him on the idea and hopefully getting him to a point that he is a cheerleader for this movement also. I feel pretty confident that I can get him there. We've shared thousands of frank moments together over the last several years and I believe that trust is still there.
I don't know what it's like to be in your mid-70's (yet) and I don't know what it feels like to not feel "needed" any longer. I also don't know what it feels like to not feel "wanted." The fact that he currently feels all of these things is heartbreaking. He believed in me time and again. He trusted me and empowered me over and over. I actually look forward to my conversation with him about ROWE because I believe that in some ways, I'm giving back to him what he gave to me so many times - BELIEF - TRUST - INCLUSION. I just hope there aren't tears involved. Although it wouldn't be the first conversation between he and I that involved tears. And we got through those - we can get through this!
As we look to move into this new office space, we had not planned to accomodate our chairman in our new space. Since he became our chairman back in 2000 or maybe it was 1999, we've always provided him a private office. But the new space doesn't really allow us to do this AND we didn't really feel it was in his best interest any longer. He's not actively involved in the day to day operations or activities of the company. He's actually about 99% hands-off. But he's a gem of a man and has a huge cash investment in our company, so we typically oblige him when it comes to the private office.
Well, we had to tell him we weren't taking him with us. And because of his age and some other stressors in his life, he is a tad fragile of late and this news did not settle well with him. He became upset and took it personally and accused us of not wanting him around any longer and it was all just kind of sad. See, yesterday, I saw him in the parking lot and I just had this gut feeling that something was "off" with him. So I suggested to the CEO that we bring him in, tell him straight up we're moving to a ROWE and be forthright in the fact that we don't think he can handle being in the office and not seeing everyone there every day. I think he's the kind of man that can understand this and appreciate the honesty and candor. Well, the CEO is heading out on vacation tomorrow and didn't want to open that can of worms until his return. So this morning, that's when the chairman got upset and took it personally and was crying and it was just all so horrible. Like I said - he's a very kind man that has put so much faith and trust into us - and especially me - over the years - I just felt horrible. Sneaky. When in fact, there is NOTHING to hide. NOTHING.
So the CEO and I went to lunch and the CEO determined that my idea yesterday about coming out in the open with the Chairman NOW vs at the Company Meeting on August 3rd would in fact be a better approach. So I get the fun task of speaking to him about ROWE and explaining that and selling him on the idea and hopefully getting him to a point that he is a cheerleader for this movement also. I feel pretty confident that I can get him there. We've shared thousands of frank moments together over the last several years and I believe that trust is still there.
I don't know what it's like to be in your mid-70's (yet) and I don't know what it feels like to not feel "needed" any longer. I also don't know what it feels like to not feel "wanted." The fact that he currently feels all of these things is heartbreaking. He believed in me time and again. He trusted me and empowered me over and over. I actually look forward to my conversation with him about ROWE because I believe that in some ways, I'm giving back to him what he gave to me so many times - BELIEF - TRUST - INCLUSION. I just hope there aren't tears involved. Although it wouldn't be the first conversation between he and I that involved tears. And we got through those - we can get through this!
Monday, July 19, 2010
ROCK 'N ROWE!
I totally stole that from my new BFF Cali Ressler! I'm pretty sure she is starting to catch on to the fact that I'm a creeper of sorts - I sent her a picture of me today. Weird, I know. But see, their website has pictures of their team members so whenever I'm on the phone with them, I know who I'm speaking to. But we don't have our pictures on our website, so they really don't know who they are speaking to when I'm on the phone or emailing with them. So I was really just trying to be polite by sending my picture! I'm like that - courteous.
Today Cali and I talked via phone to go over a few questions I had and to also set the date for the ROWE implementation workshop. Thank God she's not an attorney, I cannot shut my mouth when I'm on the phone with her. It would be so much easier if we could just sit around on the floor with a keg of wine and hash this stuff out. But then I would likely also forget everything she is conveying to me - so it's for the best that we are forced to talk on the phone or over email. I should likely confirm she's not charging me by the minute for those calls.
Things are moving so quickly now that my mind is reeling - ROWE implementation; office move; new technology for training, phone system, and who knows what else at this point - we're exploring everything and have torn down the walls that have been confining our thinking for so long and just going crazy with change! I hope the staff can accept it, embrace it, foster it and grow from it! (And also I hope they can keep up after sitting stagnant for such a long period of time - I think they can - they're a pretty cool group and surely we haven't totally killed their spirit with the stifling culture).
Cali has promised to assign a babysitter to me. Or maybe she's my psychiatrist? She gave her the link to this blog - HI STACEY!!! Cali assures me that Stacey will ensure that my sanity is maintained through this. THANKS STACEY! And if you manage to salvage my sanity through this - have I got a job for you at my house!!
First things first: Get the book in here - it's en route currently and will be passed out to all staff on August 3rd at the company meeting. (I thought it was the 2nd - but it's the 3rd. See. Already confused!) Also at that meeting we will be launching our new campaign for our training center - which will include new technology and a new name! And also we will announce the move to new space. AND last, but not least, my colleague and I are presenting the CEO with a custom framing of his article that was recently published in a business publication! I can't wait for this meeting! I bought a new dress - but only one - it's for when the CultureRX experts come to conduct our implementation workshop. (It was on CLEARANCE - don't judge!) But now I'm thinking I want a new outfit for the company meeting that day also - because so many cool, fresh ideas are being presented and all! Yes. I realize the culture is the most important thing and this blog is about THAT journey - but a gal needs new clothes too and when you see an Antonio Melani 75% off - you have to buy it. That's just how the world works.
Anyway - today I also met with the new landlord, who is also conveniently a corporate interior designer. We went back through the new space, discussed the new ROWE plan (he looked at me like I was crazy - he was likely thinking we'll end up out of business and questioning his decision to lease to us for 5 years) - how the office would become a tool, what we want to accomplish with the space/layout, etc. AND - here's the super amazing part - I gave up my big office. I totally did. Instead, I offered to split my office with my colleague. So he and I will have a shared space to use when we are physically at the office. Fortunately he lives in a house full of females so he's already been well trained and is super easy to get along with. Plus - I'm totally driven by impulse most of the time, and he's a thinker - so I think we'll make a well-balanced team in that shared space. The designers should have an initial drawing to me as early as Wednesday of this week! I can't wait to see it! I also hope we can get it all done within our limited budget.
The new landlord is so awesome that he also agreed to let us use the new space for our ROWE Implementation workshop! I am so excited about that because the space is so radically different than the morgue in which we currently "work." I think I might kiss that landlord and his designers before this is all over! They told me the building has a tin roof and when it rains it is very loud and that sometimesherds flocks of birds will land on the roof and you can hear their little toes running around. I don't care. I think it sounds fun! The front door allows an amazing view to the west - which means that I can see the storms coming in without the trees blocking my view. (Which does remind me I did not ask where the fraidy hole is located in case of a tornado - I better find out).
The boss is STILL totally on board with this plan! And to prove it - he's practicing his anti-sludge skills with me. I was running behind this morning due to a mix-up with the driver's ed teacher (not mine - my daughter's). So I emailed him to let him know the issue and that I'd be at the office shortly. He didn't respond at all and when I joined our 8:30 call 2 minutes late - he didn't ask any questions or skip a beat. On that same call, he discovered one of his direct reports was on vacation today - as per his calendar. He didn't say a word about that either. Then, this afternoon, I had to decline a meeting request from the boss - I really could not make the meeting because my son is having his wisdom teeth pulled that day. The boss just replied and said, "All meeting are optional". He WANTS this to work. I can tell he does. That is very encouraging to me!
So, in the words of Cali - We are ready to ROCK 'N ROWE!!!
Today Cali and I talked via phone to go over a few questions I had and to also set the date for the ROWE implementation workshop. Thank God she's not an attorney, I cannot shut my mouth when I'm on the phone with her. It would be so much easier if we could just sit around on the floor with a keg of wine and hash this stuff out. But then I would likely also forget everything she is conveying to me - so it's for the best that we are forced to talk on the phone or over email. I should likely confirm she's not charging me by the minute for those calls.
Things are moving so quickly now that my mind is reeling - ROWE implementation; office move; new technology for training, phone system, and who knows what else at this point - we're exploring everything and have torn down the walls that have been confining our thinking for so long and just going crazy with change! I hope the staff can accept it, embrace it, foster it and grow from it! (And also I hope they can keep up after sitting stagnant for such a long period of time - I think they can - they're a pretty cool group and surely we haven't totally killed their spirit with the stifling culture).
Cali has promised to assign a babysitter to me. Or maybe she's my psychiatrist? She gave her the link to this blog - HI STACEY!!! Cali assures me that Stacey will ensure that my sanity is maintained through this. THANKS STACEY! And if you manage to salvage my sanity through this - have I got a job for you at my house!!
First things first: Get the book in here - it's en route currently and will be passed out to all staff on August 3rd at the company meeting. (I thought it was the 2nd - but it's the 3rd. See. Already confused!) Also at that meeting we will be launching our new campaign for our training center - which will include new technology and a new name! And also we will announce the move to new space. AND last, but not least, my colleague and I are presenting the CEO with a custom framing of his article that was recently published in a business publication! I can't wait for this meeting! I bought a new dress - but only one - it's for when the CultureRX experts come to conduct our implementation workshop. (It was on CLEARANCE - don't judge!) But now I'm thinking I want a new outfit for the company meeting that day also - because so many cool, fresh ideas are being presented and all! Yes. I realize the culture is the most important thing and this blog is about THAT journey - but a gal needs new clothes too and when you see an Antonio Melani 75% off - you have to buy it. That's just how the world works.
Anyway - today I also met with the new landlord, who is also conveniently a corporate interior designer. We went back through the new space, discussed the new ROWE plan (he looked at me like I was crazy - he was likely thinking we'll end up out of business and questioning his decision to lease to us for 5 years) - how the office would become a tool, what we want to accomplish with the space/layout, etc. AND - here's the super amazing part - I gave up my big office. I totally did. Instead, I offered to split my office with my colleague. So he and I will have a shared space to use when we are physically at the office. Fortunately he lives in a house full of females so he's already been well trained and is super easy to get along with. Plus - I'm totally driven by impulse most of the time, and he's a thinker - so I think we'll make a well-balanced team in that shared space. The designers should have an initial drawing to me as early as Wednesday of this week! I can't wait to see it! I also hope we can get it all done within our limited budget.
The new landlord is so awesome that he also agreed to let us use the new space for our ROWE Implementation workshop! I am so excited about that because the space is so radically different than the morgue in which we currently "work." I think I might kiss that landlord and his designers before this is all over! They told me the building has a tin roof and when it rains it is very loud and that sometimes
The boss is STILL totally on board with this plan! And to prove it - he's practicing his anti-sludge skills with me. I was running behind this morning due to a mix-up with the driver's ed teacher (not mine - my daughter's). So I emailed him to let him know the issue and that I'd be at the office shortly. He didn't respond at all and when I joined our 8:30 call 2 minutes late - he didn't ask any questions or skip a beat. On that same call, he discovered one of his direct reports was on vacation today - as per his calendar. He didn't say a word about that either. Then, this afternoon, I had to decline a meeting request from the boss - I really could not make the meeting because my son is having his wisdom teeth pulled that day. The boss just replied and said, "All meeting are optional". He WANTS this to work. I can tell he does. That is very encouraging to me!
So, in the words of Cali - We are ready to ROCK 'N ROWE!!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
And it's.... A GO FOLKS!!!!
Got approval yesterday to engage the services of CultureRX to assist us in the ROWE implementation! Very much looking forward to my call with Cali next week to hammer out some of the details and questions around their proposal and get this ball rolling!!!
Also - finalizing the lease agreement with a new landlord on hip, cool and ultra amazing new office space! VERY excited about that as well! I think the space will definitely foster creativity to those who choose to use it a tool to meeting their expected results and goals!
AND - approval to move forward to investigate Virtual PBX technology to fix our little inbound service phone line issue and allow our employees the freedom to work from wherever they want and still achieve our goal of above excellent customer service! Have assigned two team members to research and investigate this!
Things are moving VERY quickly. Our hopes are to make an announcement in our next company meeting - August 2nd about all of these changes and then move sometime between September 15th & 30th and have this all in place by then! It should definitely be a whirlwind of activity - but I'm VERY much looking forward to the challenge and embracing and loving every moment of it!!
Also - finalizing the lease agreement with a new landlord on hip, cool and ultra amazing new office space! VERY excited about that as well! I think the space will definitely foster creativity to those who choose to use it a tool to meeting their expected results and goals!
AND - approval to move forward to investigate Virtual PBX technology to fix our little inbound service phone line issue and allow our employees the freedom to work from wherever they want and still achieve our goal of above excellent customer service! Have assigned two team members to research and investigate this!
Things are moving VERY quickly. Our hopes are to make an announcement in our next company meeting - August 2nd about all of these changes and then move sometime between September 15th & 30th and have this all in place by then! It should definitely be a whirlwind of activity - but I'm VERY much looking forward to the challenge and embracing and loving every moment of it!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Still plugging along....
Monday. Bleh. Why must one dread the Monday so? Is it the screaming of the alarm clock that does it to us? I think it must be. Who says work needs to start at 8 a.m. on Monday? Why is that relevant? OH WAIT! It's NOT!!!
While on a conference call today, I heard the most disgusting thing I think I've heard in a very long time. From the mouth of a prospective customer, "Unless I have a mandated deadline from the Board, I just don't stay on track with these types of projects very well. So YOU will need to stay on top of me to get this deal done." What? Are you kidding me? Did that prospect just ask us to babysit him? I'm not a babysitter, thank you though. That's ridiculous. I'm sure that increasing the profitability of their company is always on the mind of the Board - and I'm pretty certain they want it achieved ASAP. But it made me wonder how many people on our team feel that way - that unless they have a specific deadline they just don't get things done. I bet quite a few of them are like that. Sad. Very sad. But I think we can change that attitude - no - I KNOW we can change that attitude!
Good day today. The boss is still on track for ROWE. He's pretty excited about it also, which excites me quite a bit! He is even keeping my book one more night because he's taking notes from it. So he not only read it, but it appears he has been studying it also! Tomorrow, I'm going to give him Cali's proposal in hopes that he approves having her team come in and help us to implement this! Should be a great management meeting!
Departmental meeting today was good - continued to go over our lists of tasks/activities and identify value in those items. So far, the ONLY activity that adds no value (which we eliminated after the meeting last week) was the time tracking item. Interesting. But yet today, I kept hearing complaints of certain things taking too much time. Too much time from what? What is the purpose/goal of the task? Does it add value? If it results in the rentention of $16,000/yr fee from that one customer - is it really too much time? I wonder if, when we move to ROWE, they will continue to think of some tasks as too time consuming? I'll be interested to see how it unfolds. I wonder if they will start to think differently and realize it wasn't the customer that was taking their time and too much of it - but instead it was being chained to that desk that was taking their time and controlling their lives. I also wonder, if it is THEIR time at stake - if they won't get creative on their own in terms of finding new ways to achieve the same results that take less time. I would think they would.
We have a staff member who spends hours on the phone with a specific customer. Literally hours and hours on the phone - and then stays at the office VERY late and works tons of hours to meet her deadlines. She says she can't get the customer off the phone. But I'm wondering - if she doesn't have 40 hours a week of our time to fill up - and instead is on her time - if she just won't find a polite, but direct way to communicate to the customer the need to end the incessant conference calling. I'd bet a paycheck that she does!!
There were some sideline emails going around today that were not productive, or professional, or even civil. They were just plain nasty for the sake of being nasty. And I wondered, "I bet when it's no longer OUR time to fill, but instead his/her time - they won't waste a minute of their freedom to shoot off nasty-grams like this and I'd bet this crap comes to a screeching hault." I mean - why would I take 5 minutes out of MY time to say something nasty about someone else when it has no impact on reaching the goal? I wouldn't. I hope the others see it the same way.
So many wonderful positive things that I can foresee coming our way!
While on a conference call today, I heard the most disgusting thing I think I've heard in a very long time. From the mouth of a prospective customer, "Unless I have a mandated deadline from the Board, I just don't stay on track with these types of projects very well. So YOU will need to stay on top of me to get this deal done." What? Are you kidding me? Did that prospect just ask us to babysit him? I'm not a babysitter, thank you though. That's ridiculous. I'm sure that increasing the profitability of their company is always on the mind of the Board - and I'm pretty certain they want it achieved ASAP. But it made me wonder how many people on our team feel that way - that unless they have a specific deadline they just don't get things done. I bet quite a few of them are like that. Sad. Very sad. But I think we can change that attitude - no - I KNOW we can change that attitude!
Good day today. The boss is still on track for ROWE. He's pretty excited about it also, which excites me quite a bit! He is even keeping my book one more night because he's taking notes from it. So he not only read it, but it appears he has been studying it also! Tomorrow, I'm going to give him Cali's proposal in hopes that he approves having her team come in and help us to implement this! Should be a great management meeting!
Departmental meeting today was good - continued to go over our lists of tasks/activities and identify value in those items. So far, the ONLY activity that adds no value (which we eliminated after the meeting last week) was the time tracking item. Interesting. But yet today, I kept hearing complaints of certain things taking too much time. Too much time from what? What is the purpose/goal of the task? Does it add value? If it results in the rentention of $16,000/yr fee from that one customer - is it really too much time? I wonder if, when we move to ROWE, they will continue to think of some tasks as too time consuming? I'll be interested to see how it unfolds. I wonder if they will start to think differently and realize it wasn't the customer that was taking their time and too much of it - but instead it was being chained to that desk that was taking their time and controlling their lives. I also wonder, if it is THEIR time at stake - if they won't get creative on their own in terms of finding new ways to achieve the same results that take less time. I would think they would.
We have a staff member who spends hours on the phone with a specific customer. Literally hours and hours on the phone - and then stays at the office VERY late and works tons of hours to meet her deadlines. She says she can't get the customer off the phone. But I'm wondering - if she doesn't have 40 hours a week of our time to fill up - and instead is on her time - if she just won't find a polite, but direct way to communicate to the customer the need to end the incessant conference calling. I'd bet a paycheck that she does!!
There were some sideline emails going around today that were not productive, or professional, or even civil. They were just plain nasty for the sake of being nasty. And I wondered, "I bet when it's no longer OUR time to fill, but instead his/her time - they won't waste a minute of their freedom to shoot off nasty-grams like this and I'd bet this crap comes to a screeching hault." I mean - why would I take 5 minutes out of MY time to say something nasty about someone else when it has no impact on reaching the goal? I wouldn't. I hope the others see it the same way.
So many wonderful positive things that I can foresee coming our way!
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