Business Education

Why NFL Teams Can’t Run the Pinkerton Play and Neither Can Your Small Business

Super Bowl LIX will pit the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles. During the game, both teams will vie to out strategize their opponent. Undoubtedly, there will be internecine struggles–and those internal conflicts will test their ability to operate and execute as a cohesive team.

Professional sports teams routinely face internal conflicts that test their cohesion and performance. Throughout the NFL season, many organizations struggle with discord between players, coaches, and management, impacting their success on the field.

Modern sports franchises handle personnel changes through established procedures, but this wasn’t always true in American business. Historically, labor disputes often turned violent, with companies hiring agencies like the Pinkerton Company to end worker protests or replace entire workforces forcefully.

While today’s labor relations are more sophisticated and regulated, tension between management decisions and worker interests persists across industries, including the NFL, one of America’s largest business enterprises.

This begs the question, “How do modern businesses deal with extreme employee pushback against controversial decisions?” Well, they certainly can’t return to the days of old and run the Pinkerton Play. So, just how do companies deal with decisions employees truly dislike or even hate?

Handling Employee Blowback: Navigating Unpopular Decisions & Preventing Mass Exits

Unpopular decisions in business can create significant tension, leading to employee blowback. When morale dips, productivity can plummet, and turnover costs can skyrocket. Navigating these tough waters is crucial for maintaining a healthy workplace.

The Impact of Employee Morale on Business Success

Employees are the backbone of any organization. When morale is high, productivity increases, and so does overall satisfaction. Conversely, low morale can result in a toxic work environment, which not only affects the bottom line but also the company’s reputation.

Statistics on Employee Turnover and Its Associated Costs

The average cost of replacing an employee can range from six months to two years of the employee’s salary.
According to the Work Institute, 77% of employee turnover is preventable.
Companies with engaged employees see 21% higher profitability.

Unpopular decisions are often necessary for long-term success. Whether it’s restructuring, layoffs, or changes to benefits, business owners must sometimes make choices that won’t sit well with everyone.

Understanding the Root Causes of Employee Resistance

Knowing why employees resist can help address their concerns. Common issues include fear of job loss, dissatisfaction with changes in roles, or dissatisfaction with new policies. Often, misunderstandings arise due to poor communication. If employees don’t understand the reasoning behind a decision, resentment can grow. Moreover, fear thrives on uncertainty. When employees feel insecure about their jobs, it can lead to blowback. Addressing these fears directly is key to overcoming resistance.

Strategies for Effective Communication During Difficult Times

Embrace transparency and open dialogue. Being open about the reasons behind decisions can promote understanding. Clearly share your vision and the expected outcomes.
Actively listen and address concerns empathetically. Make it a point to listen to employee concerns. Showing emotional intelligence breeds trust and can ease tensions.
Utilize various communication channels effectively. Use emails, team meetings, and one-on-ones to convey your message. Different channels reach different audiences, so consider the best ways to engage your team.

Mitigating the Risk of Employee Departures

Offer support and resources to employees. Help employees feel secure by providing necessary resources. Whether that’s career counseling or mental health support, demonstrating care makes a difference.
Implement fair and transparent compensation and benefits structures. Fair pay and transparent benefits can help retain employees. When workers feel valued, they’re less likely to leave.
Create a positive and supportive work environment. Foster a workplace where employees feel seen and appreciated. Recognition goes a long way in maintaining morale.

Addressing Threats of Resignation Directly and Professionally

Set aside time to openly discuss their concerns. Understanding their feelings can help find mutually beneficial solutions.
Use negotiation techniques to address concerns and find solutions. Focus on win-win situations. If employees feel like their needs are met, they are more likely to remain committed.
Develop a plan to manage potential departures. Create a system to handle potential resignations. This could include exit interviews or alternative dispute resolutions to understand underlying issues.

Preventing Future Pushback: Proactive Measures

Develop a culture of open communication and feedback. Encourage regular feedback and ensure employees feel heard. This can prevent misunderstandings and build trust.
Create a strong employee value proposition. Define what makes your company desirable to work for. A strong value proposition highlights the benefits employees receive, beyond just salary.
Regularly assess employee satisfaction and morale. Conduct surveys to gauge employee happiness. Knowing where issues lie can help address them before they escalate.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Navigating unpopular decisions doesn’t have to lead to chaos. By employing transparent communication and actively engaging with employees, businesses can turn potential blowback into an opportunity for growth.

Key takeaways include the importance of open communication and addressing employee concerns head-on. Implementing the strategies discussed not only mitigates current issues but also fosters long-term loyalty and satisfaction among the workforce. Maintaining a resilient and engaged team will ultimately result in a thriving business environment.

For further insights on improving workplace dynamics, stay engaged with your employees and consider their perspectives in decision-making.

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You can call us for your free appointment at 480-210-9536, or, if you prefer, send us an email. You can also visit us at Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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During the Coronavirus Quarantine, Communication is Key

April 1, 2020 No Comments

With the massive disruption the coronavirus has foisted on businesses and consumers alike, it’s more important than ever to keep an open line of communication. While many focus on the need for telecommuting or teleworking, they do not highlight on the very vital role of maintaining good relationships with not only customers, but vendors, and peers as well. What the Coronavirus Quarantine Teaches Businesses If COVID-19 teaches businesses large, medium, and small anything, it’s the fact to always expect the unexpected. Or, be prepared for as many contingencies as possible. While you can’t proactively guard against every single scenario, there are situations which your business should be equipped to handle. For instance, natural disasters, criminal activity, and of course, epidemics or as we’re experiencing now, a pandemic. Because nobody can predict what will happen next with the coronavirus, this causes great uncertainty. And this uncertainty has a direct impact on businesses. The only thing they can do is try to prepare for all outcomes. —JD Supra This isn’t by any means easy, but it is necessary to at least have a framework to deal with emergency situations, particularly those that have a long-term impact, such as the one the business world is experiencing right now. If you aren’t prepared, it will have a more disastrous impact on your company than it otherwise would. How to Maintain Business Relationships during a Time of Crisis When catastrophe strikes, it can come in many forms. If you’re business is able to continue operations, even in a very limited capacity, then it’s of utmost importance to keep lines of communication open with everyone. Here are a few helpful suggestions for how to do just that: Reassure employees. Although no one can predict the future, you do need to be upfront and honest about your situation with your team members. While you don’t need to paint a doomsday scenario, you do need to let them know where things stand and what’s likely to happen. Reach out to customers. Many churches around the country are digitally broadcasting their weekly messages. And, some are even taking it a step further by personally phoning every single member. You can do the same with your customers, starting with the most valuable. Give them a call personally, or have employees join you to touch base with everyone. Speak with your vendors. This is basically the same idea. But, here you’re doing two things — giving them a heads-up of where you stand and inquiring as to what they are doing and have planned for the near future. Take some time to reflect. You should also take advantage of any downtime to do a little introspection. Use the opportunity to unplug in a quiet place and think about your next course of action and how you can improve your business. What other suggestions do you have? Please comment to let everyone know about your thoughts and experiences! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Network Event Do’s and Don’ts

May 16, 2017 No Comments

Some people have an innate ability to walk into a room full of strangers and start connecting and uncovering business contacts galore. They seem to glide through the room, smiling, freely introducing themselves, while holding conversation. These people know how to read a room and individuals naturally. Then, there are people who move through events quickly, collecting an astounding number of business cards while shaking hand after hand. The difference between the two personalities couldn’t be more stark. One is making new contacts, the other is doing little more than trying to bag new clients. It’s obvious which one will benefit and which one won’t. The purpose of networking events is to do just that: meet new people and have conversations. It’s how you go about it that makes all the difference. Connecting with people is an art form, and, is learned over time. Before there’s any real connection, though, you’ve got to be prepared to meet new people. Network Event Do’s and Don’ts There’s a huge difference between meeting new people and connecting with them. Meeting a group of new people is even more of a challenge than meeting a single person or a very small group. Attending a networking event is something that stirs excitement and anxiety. These events tend to be noisy, where it’s not easy to hold a conversation. What’s more, you’re expected to participate and interact with several people. We network because we don’t work and live in a silo. Due to human nature, we tend to trust doing business with people we know or who are referred to us. People often think of the need to network whenever their jobs are in jeopardy, or whenever they’re in search of new business. —Career Builder When you go to a networking event, you do so to open new doors. There won’t be time to establish a relationship and connect with others, but there will be plenty of opportunity to introduce yourself and hold brief, casual conversations. To accomplish this simple, yet challenging feat, you ought to know the do’s and don’ts of event networking. Network Event Do’s Go prepared. You ought to have a brief list of topics to discuss and/or experiences to share. It’s okay to go over these out loud and practice introducing yourself. Just don’t practice too much, or, it will sound rehearsed and artificial. Keep one hand free at all times. Keep your dominant hand free of snacks, drinks, and other objects. You’ll be able to freely shake hands without having an awkward moment to find a place to temporarily set something down. Know who to approach. Just because someone is standing alone doesn’t mean you ought to rush over to approach. Take a moment to read his or her face and body language. When you do make eye contact, confidently approach and introduce yourself. Look for opportunities to offer help. One of the most powerful and likable gestures is to ask questions and offer your assistance. Only offer to help when it’s realistic and be sure to follow-up. Don’t make the mistake of over-promising or over-extending. Network Event Don’ts Believe collecting business cards is a measure of success. Remember, the purpose of attending these events is to meet people — not just to collect business cards. If that’s all you accomplish, the whole exercise is for naught. Be on the lookout for someone else while speaking with another. If you do have the misfortune of getting into a boring conversation, find a gracious and courteous way to excuse yourself. What you should avoid is awkwardly scanning the room for someone else to speak with to break away. Try to impress others with jargon or facts. Using big words, insider jargon, or trying to impress with a barrage of facts is a turn off. It’s pretentious and tells others you lack self confidence. What’s more, it keeps you from having a genuine conversation. Speak over or interrupt others. This sounds obvious, but, it’s something that can be unintentional when you’re nervous. When you do approach someone else and introduce yourself, be courteous, ask polite questions, and listen. Yes, the purpose of attending Network Events is ultimately to acquire new business. However, do not go to a Network Event if that is your initial purpose. Your priority for attending a Network Event is to develop Relationships which you can foster over time into a business opportunity with that connection or with someone they introduce to you. Minimize your agenda, and spend time listening and asking the other person questions about themselves and their business. Show them genuine interest and watch how your relationship moves to trust even during the Network Event. Isn’t it more rewarding to leave a Network Event with 3 or 4 really good, meaningful connections where both of you developed a relationship and can follow up after the event to further explore opportunities together? When is the last time you attended a Network Event and made some meaningful connections that turned into real business? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Most Tactful Strategies for Pushing Customer Deadlines Back without Upsetting Them

May 31, 2022 No Comments

As a business owner, you know that sometimes things come up that prevent you from meeting a customer deadline. Maybe there was an unexpected delay in getting the product or service finished, or maybe your team just got swamped with work. Whatever the reason, pushing back a customer deadline can be tricky business. You don’t want to upset them and lose their business, but you also don’t want them to feel like they’re being ignored or getting something that appears rushed. So, let’s discuss some of the most tactful ways to push back deadlines without upsetting your customers. Best Ways to Push Back Client Deadlines and Still Make Customers Happy One way to push back a deadline without upsetting your customer is to provide them with regular updates. Let them know what’s going on and why the deadline can’t be met. Customers appreciate transparency, and they’ll be more understanding if they know what’s going on. You should keep lines of communication open and stay in touch regularly. Don’t make the mistake of updating your client once and then going silent – it will only cause more problems. Missing a deadline is something that happens even to the best of us. Whether you got sick and couldn’t finish your tasks on time or the project took you much longer than expected, one thing is clear – you’re about to miss the deadline and need to communicate it to the client. —Simone Smith on Brain Leaf Another way to push back a deadline without upsetting your customer is to offer them a discount or some other type of compensation. This shows that you value their business and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make up for any inconvenience. This doesn’t have to be a deep price reduction, but enough to show him or her you’re aware of their time and budget and are appreciative of their patience. Finally, one of the best ways to retain customers even when deadlines can’t be met is to provide excellent customer service. Be responsive, friendly, and helpful, and try to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. If you make an effort to take care of your customers, they’ll be more likely to stick with you even when things don’t go according to plan. Pushing back customer deadlines can be a delicate process, but if you handle it tactfully, you can retain your customers and keep them happy. By following these tips, you’ll be able to push back deadlines without upsetting your clients. It is of utmost importance to be honest with your customers, be upfront as soon as the situation changes, and be willing to accept some criticism. If you handle the circumstances with professionalism and tactfully, they’ll be far more willing to accommodate you and will greatly appreciate your candor. What other suggestions would you make about dealing with pushing client deadlines back without angering them? Please, take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.