Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

Good morning, Laura

alarm bells started ringing when you said "the client can't afford ... " is there nobody around who guarantees results* as I do in such situations? (*Or they get their money back).

The biggest issue is of those employees who aren't interested in success. Some warrant a pay packet as sufficient to their needs. They gave up on "success" years ago because they never made it past floor sweeper or lathe turner.

What can you offer them (the "what's in it for me" style of thinking) that will speak to people who are essentially comfortable right where they are.

Is there anyone in the factory/establishment who is on the shop floor who could show the attributes you need? Because if they are already part of the firm, and show the real benefits that you offer, they will be the best demonstration.

What are your thoughts? Moriarty xx

If the client "cannot afford" a good name then that tells you how important the project is to them. Maybe they should pay the speaker less so they can free up funds for the name.

As for your specific request, what is it you expect people to do differently once they are "motivated?" What problem is the company trying to solve? Is employee motivation lacking because they haven't heard a good motivational speech lately? Or is there some underlying reason why motivation is low?

How will you/the client know if the motivational speech/program is working? What is the key metric?

As an aside to the above comments - I wonder if we haven't gotten the cart before the horse?

We're all talking about motivation - only motivation in this respect is the RESULT you want. What you need is a cartoon character (or whatever) who embodies the attributes you want to instill.

Speaking to a friend of mine today his response to asking the question "what would motivate you"? His answer was simple: "more money". I am not sure if this would actually work for very long however. Doing boring tasks that are uninspiring at best are not the stuff of motivation. The point is that many people in this situation have no alternative to such work. They do the work because they need the money, they aren't doing out of altruism. Oh, and noting my neighbor's response to such issues, do the management take the slightest notice of their employees? Most regard their lorry drivers as a human interface between the SatNav and the steering wheel. I doubt it is much different in the establishment where you are working.

Thanks for comments so far.
Costs – in the real world sometimes we have to do the best we can with the resources we have. Yes we can spend loads on a name but will the name be able to do the job on it’s own? Personally, I would choose no name at all and rather have the motivational speaker who at least has the opportunity to make an impact on someone. We all know that not everyone is going to have the same response – some will benefit – others will sit and yawn – but you have to try.
This is aimed at management not floor sweepers.
Staff motivation is just good company practice – it’s a good company to work for because they put staff incentives and staff training in place. I did not say they are doing this because motivation is low, they are doing it to improve what they already have.

Anyone interested in helping me brainstorm a name?

OK – sorry – I wrote that last response before I read the last two responses here.

This company is very motivation driven. They already have tools in place like score cards, monthly one-on-ones (floor staff with shop manager – manager with area manager – area manager with CEO) – there are 33 branches and 100 top management staff (head office and managers).

I agree that this motivational speaker has little to do with the company itself – but his message is inspiring. I have attended it myself and it is actually interesting, motivating and intriguing. The CEO feels that by implementing the meercat cartoon character we may encourage staff to remember the feeling of motivation he got from the seminar and future programmes could tie in with the same theme.

Ultimately this is money in the pocket for the employee – it will always be tied in with an incentive programme – these programmes always are monetary based and the scorecard system is also monetary based as their bonus is determined on what their scores.

PS - I originally had YES YOU CAN but changed it because I thought by saying YES I CAN you make it more personal - they take ownership of the statement. Am I wrong?

You say **they are doing it to improve what they already have.**

What makes "it a good company to work for"? Whilst it is good practice to motivate staff, it is still the one element that is truly absent.

What do they have, and how effective is it? Will a Meerkat actually improve on this, or will it be another yawn for the poor staff who have to sit through these things (again)?

We need to discover some kind of commonality amonst your managerial staff that keeps them working in your company. Because if your name is to be effective, it needs to focus on that. For example, how many of them are sitting at their desks dreaming of a better job? Or - like the drivers, simply have no other choice? These are important dimensions to consider when a company says it has good staff relationships.

As to names - since you ask:

"Productivity Breakout"
"Managerial Multiplier"

"

Art - Following on from what you said at 9:00am

Quote **Ultimately this is money in the pocket for the employee – it will always be tied in with an incentive programme – these programmes always are monetary based and the scorecard system is also monetary based as their bonus is determined on what their scores.**

What can you do about those staff who aren't motivated by such measures? When you are using crude methods (= cash) there is ALWAYS a better way. When I deal with a company and the question is about money, my response is that it is the wrong question.

That is final.

There is always some other factor that drives decisions that end up being expresssed in monetary terms. Either that, or there isn't any real motivation going on, and the company is missing out on some serious potential.

Thank you Jay – I am working under pressure and tight deadlines here – you have given me the answer – I need to study the habits of the meerkat for inspiration – duh – now why didn’t I think of that :)

I hear what you are all saying and I think that all motivation programs probably only work for a short time, so even if only a hand full of individuals gain anything from the program then that is worth it. From my own experience I used to love attending motivational seminars because it would pump up my motivational levels and get me all fired up – it always only lasted a short while, but the point was, for that short while I felt more effective and positive.

This company definitely does try – they have a training centre – each staff member first attends the training college and is taught the skills he needs to do his job. Each branch has an Employee of the month and there is the score card system and many varioys incentives. They also have a monthly newspaper which highlights achievers, promotions, birthdays and weddings, new babies, sport achievements - the company is very involved in charity events, they have their own soccer team, they have their own dance group wihch competes in national dance competitions and they sponsor a cycling club which hosts a one day stage race (one of a kind in the country).

Thank you Harry, I will definitely find a copy of that book, study it myself and give it to the CEO. But for now, the motivational speaker is booked and paid for, it is going ahead whether I think it is a waste of time or not. Now I have to do my job – which is name it, design an invitation which will hopefully get management eager to listen to what the man says and develop a character which may or may not be carried through to other similar programmes (that will be determined on the success of this one).

Thank you everyone for your input – you all pose very valid questions and arguments.

"Monti Meerkat bites the boss' - let's hope not! :)

Thank you everyone - I have used bits and pieces from your suggestions and put something together which I will present today - I will give feed back just for interest's sake. Harry, I have ordered the book so I'm looking forward to receiving that - it won't be in time for this session but since they aim to make this an ongoing motivational drive I am sure it will be a beneficial tool.

Have a great day everyone...

Thank you again to everyone who gave suggestions – the artwork has been approved and the invites will be sent out today.
______________________

I went with…

Meerkat cartoon character with speech bubble (Yes you can!)
Text: Meerkat Motivator says…
Lets gang up (big text)
for a motivational workshop (smaller text)

Then it’s the info - theme of the workshop and date time place etc…
________________

I suggested that they have a “Name the Meerkat” competition after the workshop which has been accepted.

Thanks for all your input
Kind regards
Laura

Sorry PhilGrisolia4Results - I wanted to give you points too for the YES YOU CAN - I'll have to make it up to you somehow :)

Laura - you could always do a special question only for Phil ;-)