Hassle-Free Management

What Makes a Great Boss

Scott — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:33:43 +0000

You've had one, a boss who was really great. One who helped you excel. You've probably had at least one boss who was not great, or even terrible.

Five Powerful Ways to Make a Difference

Scott — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:27:34 +0000

“I was somebody. Who, is no business Of yours.” Found on a gravestone in Stowe, Vermont All of us want to be ‘somebody.’ And, to most of us it does matter that we are ‘somebody’ to certain people. Whether it is our immediate family, our social circle, our religious group, people at our workplace, or the world at [...]

Two Conflicting Views on Hiring

Scott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:05:01 +0000

I was intrigued when I saw these two views about hiring and job creation: Is it just a matter of which data you look at? Or is there more to the story. First view: Gallup reported “Job Creation Improves.” Seems their hiring index is up, for the second week in a row. The index has mostly [...]

The Formula for Business Success

Scott — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:27:50 +0000

Focusing on productivity rate is one of the greatest tools for a business leader. This is not about squeezing more "blood out of a turnip;" rather, it is about creating a greater production capability that works today and continues in the future.

Equal Outcomes or Equal Rights?

Scott — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:38:35 +0000

There is much discussion these days about equality and rights — particularly relating to health care. But what does it really mean to have equal rights or equal treatment? Is there a case that equal rights or equal treatment should lead to equal outcomes? And how do these apply in a place of business? The Declaration [...]

Taking Advantage of the Best Within Your Employees

Scott — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:46:04 +0000

Under stress, our most dominant [nervous] system is set into motion. For example, several years ago Mike and I were involved in a car accident. We were driving on a narrow, two-lane highway at night, and suddenly something huge flew at our windshield. Mike swerved over the double yellow line. Luckily, the oncoming lane was empty. The massive flying object missed us and hit the station wagon behind us. Mike pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. I didn't move; my body felt numb, and my breathing slowed. I didn't want Mike to get out of the car. In my mind I could see him getting hit by oncoming traffic. Mike, his heart racing, was thinking only of taking action. He opened hid door and leaped out to see if anyone was hurt.

Jimmy’s Excellent Customer Service

Scott — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:59:24 +0000

I made a simple free-standing shelf for my basement this weekend. That in itself is a feat. I am not mechanically or construction minded. My projects usually take 2-3 times as long as they should, more trips to the local hardware or lumber store than expected, and the product almost never turns out like the [...]

Get Away and Let Your Business Run Itself

Scott — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:17:12 +0000

Most entrepreneurs can come up with a host of reasons not to take a vacation. They worry about who’ll watch the business while they’re gone, whether cash is too tight for them to go, or if customers will put up with talking to someone other than an owner. Often just simple addiction to the business [...]

Teaching Moments: Which Assets to Protect?

Scott — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:19:52 +0000

There have been a number of reports lately of employees being fired for trying to stop thieves. Doesn't seem right to fire someone for trying to protect the company's assets. But which assets does a company (and their employees by extension) have a duty to protect?

Do You Know Your “Well-Being” Score?

Scott — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:25:37 +0000

I’m a long-time fan of the information the Gallup Organization produces. Whether you agree with their conclusions or not, you have to admire and trust the data they gather, sometimes daily, on many different issues. Some of that information relates to workers’ well-being — it’s their “Gallup-Healthways Well-being Index.” You can see the data by state [...]