Summer Vacations – Is Your Company Prepared?

We are headed into vacation season. Your employees are happy but you are probably concerned. We need, as business owners, people to be motivated and present during a slow season. Why? It is a time to catch up on small tasks and prepare for the busy season, as well as generate new ideas to keep the company growing. However, people will need to take time off in order to be refreshed and productive. So, where is the balance?

Well, first – think about a real slow month / week that is coming up. Make attendance mandatory during this time. No one can go on vacation and everyone needs to be in the office. Why? This is a time to setup meetings / training / brainstorm new ideas, etc. Allow people to go on vacation but not during this specific and designated week. This will be your “go” time to create plans and address outstanding issues.

Next, create a vacation plan. Make sure you schedule people off in intermittent periods and not at the same time. Then, designate who is taking over specific duties for whom and ensure everyone is aware of the plan (and agrees to it) before vacations start rolling out. This will ensure a seamless transition during a slow time and it affords cross-training opportunities.

Well, speaking of vacations – Memorial Day is Monday so my blog will not be back up until Tuesday! However, keep your questions rolling in.

Until Tuesday,
Twyla N. Garrett

Gossip- When to Fire Friends.

Here's the thing, I'm not all business. Ok, 90% of me is a business woman- the other 10%? Well, that's just a woman. I wanted to talk about how to cut friends out of your life. It is a hard subject. I know what you're thinking; "Twyla, what does this have to do with business?" Well, everything!

If you can't cut negative or self-serving friends out of your life, how are you going to run a company? How will you make it as an executive? How will you survive in the world. You don't have to be liked all of the time. And, I got news for you, even when people are smiling to your face- you're not going to be liked all of the time!

If you have a friend who plays Devil's Advocate more than the role of a friend- it is time to move on. Why? Well, these are people who love to argue and oppose you. Their nature isn't to be supportive, it is to be opposing. You want some feedback - not just a tidal wave of negativity.

You also want to remove the 'inside scoopers' form your group. If they know what is going on is a secret and they still share it with you.... you'r secrets aren't safe with them! Drop them like a hot potato before your news is all over the place. People who have the inside scoop are great. People who have to constantly share it? Well, that is called being a gossip!

Finally, the people who have emotional erectile dysfunction. What's that? Yep, not literal erectile dysfunction- but people who fail to get it up and get on with it- referring to their dreams of course. If you have a friend who is constantly planning his or her next business move or love affair or vacation or trip to the grocery store and it NEVER, EVER happens- that person has emotional dysfunction and is feeding off of your energy (well, draining you of it) without making progress in the world. Ditch him or her and find friends who play on the same team as you- remember? The Go-Getters!

Well, that is it for this week. See you on Monday!

Twyla