Dr. Jason’s Speak Life™ Newsletter – Volume 6 Issue 1
Inside This Issue
Fiscal Responsibility
Message from the President
Business Ethics
Consulting Focus: Teams
Industry Perspectives
Fiscal Responsibility
There has been much talk in the news media recently regarding government fiscal responsibility. As important as it is for Congress to be responsible in handling the nation’s resources, the same holds true for businesses. Businesses also need to reduce debt and maintain a balanced budget. It is an issue of financial stewardship. Take the steps necessary to ensure the sustainability of your business. Without talking these steps, your organization is destined to fail in the long-run.
Message from the President
“…do not sacrifice your personal ethics for a potentially negative result”…
I have had the privilege of going into many different companies and speaking to employees at varied levels in organizations, without fail, the one cohesive thread throughout those conversations has been related to expectations for productivity and the bottom line. You see,
whatever organizational term you want to name it, performance, ROI, or an outcome, that pressing concern is always there, especially in these difficult economic times. So, I have often questioned what occurs when you do not hit your numbers or when you fall short of your goals, in other words, how do you navigate this dangerous divide in a workplace setting?
Some may see the need to fudge the numbers, while others may just simply throw up their hands and resolutely understand they may lose their job for lack of performance. I would say it does not have to be an either/or proposition, but an opportunity to demonstrate your business ethic and always take the high road. If your boss is so bent on outcomes that he or she will terminate you for not hitting your numbers, then do not sacrifice your personal ethics for a potentially negative result! Authentic leaders will come along side you and work with you to ultimately reach your goals and impact the company’s bottom line…count on it.
Business Ethics
“The legal thing to do may not always be the right thing to do”. Business ethics plays a vital role in the success of any firm. Ethics goes beyond legality and involves relationships with others. It is behaving in a manner that reflects how you want to be treated by other people. According to management writer Ken Blanchard and religious leader Norman Vincent Peale, it helps to ask yourself the following questions when facing an ethical dilemma.
1. Is my proposed action legal? Am I violating any law or company policy?
2. Is it balanced? Am I acting fairly? Would I want to be treated this way?
3. How would it make me feel about myself? Would I feel proud if my family learned of my decision? Could I discuss the proposed situation or action with my supervisor?
Remember, the legal thing to do may not always be the right thing to do.
Consulting Focus: Teams
Organizations are driven by both teams and individuals. Strong organizational solutions help to create dynamic organizations with purpose. Teams are driven by the individuals within them and how they are able to work together to benefit the organization. Creating effective teams for
tasks and functions has a positive impact on financial outcomes. Often it is important to maintain high levels of shared performance over time. In other cases, teams must be created, get up to speed, deliver and then be broken up very quickly. Increasingly common virtual teams present different challenges of communication, accountability and culture. Consultants should provide a range of solutions to address team needs in the following areas of 1) Maximizing team performance and 2) Building new teams. The solutions should address the key people and organizational issues businesses face. The focus will ideally include recruiting, creating strong cultures, building talent, succession planning, leading, managing, and retaining key staff.
Industry Perspectives
Research has shown that the demand for effective business consulting will continue to grow over the mid-term. Recent economic conditions have exposed the need to maximize business resources and manage corporate costs. As the economy recovers, it will be imperative that business leaders focus their efforts on strategies that will equip their organizations to successfully compete in the global marketplace. Consultants can provide the necessary tools and training to propel these businesses to the next level.