This site has given me the ability to be in contact with some great thought leaders. Cali and Jody of Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It, (read the book review here) were kind enough to grant me a interview.

Their book really emphasizes on creating results instead of just “being there.” An employee’s ability to produce positive results is what really matters. Every company that I’ve ever worked for threw sludge (snide comments from co-workers). Just last week I heard a comment about me coming in late when in reality I was giving a talk to a local organization, promoting our services.

Check out the interview and see if your company may be interested in creating a Results Only Work Environment (ROWE).

Here are my questions:

1. When sludge is the norm, what is the best technique to break these habits?

The first step is realizing that Sludge exists, and that it’s affecting productivity levels and bringing people down. The second thing you can do is start being conscious of the comments you’re making in the work environment. If, for example, you see someone getting up to leave at 3:30 p.m., you might think “She’s leaving early again. The rest of us have to sit around here like slaves and she gets to leave!” The key here is not saying these things out loud. Instead, examine why you’re so upset by your co-worker leaving at 3:30. Is it because you believe that people who are dedicated stay until 6:00 p.m.? Is it because you believe that people who “leave early” are getting by with something you’re not? This examination of beliefs helps people see how outdated their thoughts are – and how they’re not focused on the one thing that matters: results.

One of the things that is so effective about ROWE is that every piece of the migration, including Sludge Eradication, happens with an entire team together. So as people are examining and shifting their beliefs, everyone around them is reinforcing them and holding them accountable. Trying to shift your beliefs on your own - or being the only person trying to help someone else shift their beliefs - is difficult. But moving together toward a common vision of focusing on results is powerful, effective, and motivating.

2. I loved the testimonials in the book, but one caught me off guard. How does an employee go on tour with a band for a couple of weeks without causing dissension in the organization? Do you have a method of airing grievances?

In a ROWE, work isn’t a place you go – it’s something you do. This means that there are many employees that don’t work in the physical office setting for days on end. Whether they’re touring with a band, sitting in their home office, at their lake cabin, or in Jamaica, it doesn’t matter – as long as the work is getting done. Not seeing someone does not equate to the work not getting done. In the instance of Trey in the book, he tours with his favorite band and his productivity has increased by four times in a ROWE – now that’s getting to your results!

3. You have been doing the book circuit and talking to companies about ROWE. What is their biggest opposition to it and what do you say to calm their fears?

The biggest opposition we run into is the shift from focusing on time/number of hours worked (or perceived to be worked) to results. Moving to a ROWE takes a complete paradigm shift. The culture of work needs to change and one of the things we can do to move in the right direction is stop implementing flexibility programs over the existing industrial model of work. Flexibility programs are all about time, and tracking when people are working. Just about every employer says they value output over face-time, but then they reinforce outdated rules and policies about when, where, and how long work should take. Ultimately, we’re serving two masters under the current system: time and results. Until we completely eradicate time from the equation, we will never be fully invested in results. Organizations are full of managers in their late 40s and early 50s who have clawed their way to the top within the industrial model. But they, too, want a better life. Generation Y will force the issue, and ROWE will be the vehicle of change that will allow all of us to achieve the lifestyle we want.

In ROWE teams, productivity is up an average of 41% - this, in itself, is testament to the benefits of shifting the focus from hours to outcomes.

4. Have you been able to convince any other companies to try ROWE?

Yes. We just recently migrated an insurance and investment firm, JA Counter and Associates in New Richmond, WI. Companies worldwide have purchased The ROWE Launch Kit: Office Edition which contains the step-by-step, proven, systematic change management approach that enables facilitators inside organizations to establish a Results-Only Work Environment.

5. I’m curious about a company that has both hourly and salary employees. What does a company do with hourly employees? Did Best Buy ever try ROWE in their stores?

Best Buy corporate has both hourly and salaried employees operating in a Results-Only Work Environment. The key difference is that hourly employees must follow the department of labor guidelines for tracking hours. But, corporate hourly employees do not have work schedules and they can do whatever they want, whenever they want as long as their work gets done. They do not have to ask permission to manage their work and life any way they see fit. Hourly employees flex with the demand of their lives and the needs of the business just like salaried employees.

Thank You Cali and Jody for answering my questions. If you liked their answers then I would suggest checking out their Blog and book at Amazon.com.

Articles That Will Knock Your Socks Off and Are Also Related to this Interview:

• Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It, Book Review
• Leisure Expert Alison Link Answers a Work Happy Now Question
• How Toyota Became #1 – David Magee Responds to My Interview Questions
• How You Are Silently Signaling Your Co-workers to Treat You

*

Image Courtesy of Cali and Jody’s Blog

Popularity: 27% [?]

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

No one has time to do it all and I’m no different, but I want to keep improving this site’s value for employees as well as employers. That’s what working happy is all about: developing new ideas and running with them. I had to figure out the best way to create dynamic content that would really help my visitors. What to do? MP3s or video?

There is enough business development audio to make your mind spin. What I don’t find a lot of is… video. There are people who are shooting their seminars and putting small cuts on YouTube, but most of them are commercials for their information.

I wanted to create small videos that people can watch at work or at home without having to filter through an ocean of articles. We live in the age of the iPhone, so I may as well take advantage of all my outlets. If I could create something that people can watch on their phones, I’ve reached a new segment of the population.

I shot two short videos. The first is about workplace design and the second is about relaxing at work. Both are very important topics for working happier.

The first one will be up tomorrow.

It’s a little scary putting myself out there for everyone to judge me, but I figured I would ignore all that and go for it. It’s not perfect, but it is interesting.

Challenging myself to give all of you something new that can help you at work really makes me happy. The video may not be perfect, but it does give good value. When you watch it, don’t be afraid to give me some feedback.

I want to thank my friend KJ and my wife for helping me through this learning process. KJ helped me shoot the video and my wife edited the content. I couldn’t have done this without them. Check back here tomorrow to see my first Work Happy Now video on creating a design friendly workplace for customers and employees.

*

Here is a cool shot from a man tricking out his cubicle. The found this photo at Escape From Cubicle Nation and the original photo is at Jared D. Nielsen’s website.

Related Articles:

• Put People in a Design-Friendly Atmosphere to Inspire Excellent Work
• How You Are Silently Signaling Your Co-workers to Treat You
• Create the Work Atmosphere You Want

-

1st photo courtesy of derekdavis. The 2nd photo courtesy of Jared D. Nielsen.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

My father owns an electrical contracting business. He built a strong company that has lasted for over 40 years. He has never advertised in his life. He went out and proved he was good and his customers referred him to other friends and contractors all over eastern Pennsylvania. Seth Godin would have been proud.

I worked for him in the summers when I was out of school. Working with him was a pleasure and a pain. He was born German and insists on everything to be perfect. He always set the bar higher than I could reach.

I look back on it now and realize how much I’ve learned. I was lucky to have a father who owned his own business and wanted his son to tag along. I was probably more work then a help, especially in the early years.

As you read this list try to picture a German man with a graying black beard, a tool belt on and a pair of dirty jeans as he says each one. It makes it more fun.

1. Never worry about the time, all it will do is make work go slow.

2. Take time to hang out with co-workers, it makes work interesting.

3. Be able to laugh at yourself because people like to be around someone that doesn’t take himself too seriously.

4. A good cup of coffee is worth the price it costs.

5. Do it right the first time.

6. Why take a longer break then you really need?

7. If it works then you did well. If it works and looks good then you did great.

8. Be able to explain how you made the mistake. No one wants to hear how you’re not sure.

9. The earlier you wake up the earlier you can get home.

10. Nothing wrong with daydreaming as long as you pick the right spots.

11. Don’t worry about how a customer looks, just worry about their ability to pay on time.

12. Always lend a hand to another contractor because you are going to need them to help you before the job is done.

13. Set the bar higher then you can presently reach because one day you’ll reach it if you keep trying.

14. Buy coffee for everyone every once in a while. We all need to spread good will.

15. Can’t force a person to care about their work. It’s really up to them to make that decision.

16. It’s only money. The real joy is in the accomplishment.

17. The customer doesn’t always know what he wants. Sometimes they need to be enticed with good ideas.

18. Don’t walk too fast and don’t walk too slow because you’ll either wear yourself out or you’ll look like a slacker.

19. Even if you don’t know how to do it, give it a try because you may surprise yourself.

20. Eat lightly during the day because you’ll weigh yourself down if you eat too much.

21. Always have a system for each task because then you can do it without too much thinking, which frees your mind up for planning the next task.

22. Never be afraid to walk away. Not every relationship will work.

23. You can enjoy your work or you can think about going out tonight. It’s up to you.

24. Don’t do what I do unless you really love it.

25. Hard work may make you tired, but it’s a good tired.

Happy Father’s Day!

I love you Baba (German name for Dad). My friends always made fun of me for calling him that and now they ask, “How is Baba?” It’s cool how unique things stick in people’s heads.

What is one lesson you’ve learned from your father?

Related Articles:

• 8 Mental Boosts that Never Fail
• All Employees Deserve Respect
• Renew Your Thoughts to Improve Your Work Outlook

*

Image courtesy of Nikki Staib. It’s an image of my father holding his grandson (My nephew Kris).

Popularity: 40% [?]

Bookmark It

Hide Sites