Archive for June, 2008

Get ready here comes a big one!

Monday, June 16th, 2008

With out question the cost of fuel and the greening initiative is changing the way we live. 

In our industry, we clearly see the effect of declining disposable income in our same store sales analysis. Now a new element threatens to take a bite out of revenue.

There is a rapidly growing movement underway to take a new the workweek. Employees all across the country are currently submitting petitions to employers in attempt to gain approval of four-day weeks and telecommuting. They are citing more the just gas savings, here are just a few points that are being laid out very convincingly.

The 4-Day Work Week would mean less traffic congestion.

The 4-Day Work Week would mean fewer auto accidents each year.

The 4-Day Work Week would mean a reduction in absenteeism

The 4-Day Work Week would give us more time for family

The 4-Day Work Week would decrease labor costs

The 4-Day Work Week would decrease operational costs

The 4-Day Work Week would mean a reduction in the cost of childcare

These employee proposals also stress the use of internet as a tool to scrap the antiquated notion we should all be at the office from eight to five on Monday through Friday.

The revenues in the business and industry channel for food service, vending and OCS will decline in direct proportion to the decreased time employees spend in their traditional work place. This is an iron-clad certainty.  I suggest that you keep your ear to the ground at all accounts; you may have to adjust your revenue forecast and identify actions needed to protect the bottom line now.

Are Performance Reviews an endangered species?

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

Employee performance management has been mainstay of most organizations, yet is fraught with imprecision and dissatisfaction.

Rather than serving as opportunity for providing direction, growth and alignment, it is more often seen as a necessary evil.

The Aberdeen Group surveyed over 600 individuals: while 95% indicated conducting regular performance reviews, only 11% indicate satisfaction with the process in their organization.  There is clearly a disconnect between the concept of performance management and it’s successful execution. 

Aberdeen reported that two key performance criteria defined ”Best in Class” Companies (BiC) with regards to performance management:

  1. Improved bottom line results: BiC companies experience a minimum profitability growth of 10% or move over last 12 months.
  2. Increased employee retention rates: 94% of BiC companies increased or maintained stable employee retention rates over the last 12 months.

Coming in future postings:

  • What are top five (5) pressures driving performance management?
  • What are strategic actions necessary to achieve performance management goals?
  • What is the connection between productivity, turnover and job match?

Have a great week; back to you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave McCaffrey

PredicitiveAssets

(866) 584-9551 (toll free)