Old time worn cliché’s usually don’t go over well with businessmen.  They’ve heard them all before so many times, they become “funny” sayings that are most often ignored as irrelevant in these times.  Sometimes, new cliché’s surface, though, that are relevant in today’s business world.  I would like to present one that will maybe strike a chord with leaders that are looking for methods that will transform their companies from good solid class businesses to one that is performing in the excellence class.  Simply put, the method is to “Invest” for Excellence.  I’m proposing that the first letter in the word Invest  gives us the methodology or formula. 

Incentivize
Nurture
Verbalize
Encourage
Solicit
Temper

By following the simple roadmap shown above, long term, a Company may be able to raise their level of performance into the “excellence” category.  Here are some thoughts on how one would go about  working the formula.

Incentivize:  We all know how capitalism works.  Dangle the carrot out there and some will work hard to grab it because it means they will benefit economically if they can achieve the goal put it front of them.  Most everyone wants to improve their income.  They want a reasonably achievable goal, though, not an unreachable one.  For instance, salespeople will turn over every rock to make sales, if there is incentive to do so.   They won’t if the incentive can be punitive, though.  Take a look at how you incentivize your sales force.  Do you have salespeople who are the highest paid employees you have?  If not, I challenge you that you haven’t incentivized them properly and that is why your sales are not performing at the levels you have been forecasting.

Nurture:   It may seem inconsistent with the first step above, however, one does need to be proactive when it comes to “nurturing” your employees.  You should not rely on their own internal drive to better themselves, and by bettering themselves, your company.  You need to drive this method.  Set up training programs for them so they are always up on the lastest in technology and management skills.  Split between doing this during working hours and their own personal hours.  Don’t wait for them to come to you with a request to go to a seminar.  Make this a routine for every employee.

Verbalize:   Today, too many rely on email and text messages, they forget how important it is to get in front of someone and “talk” to them face to face.  Direct communication, face to face, can be powerful and actually incentivize your employees.  Make it a habit of walking around and being interested in everyone’s well being and progress.  If the employee is working outside of the office, pick up the phone and talk to them—or use a webcam.  Don’t be a absentee manager.

Encourage:  Find out from your direct reports who of their subordinates are either having issues, personal or business related—or who has done something very productive or great the day before.  Then, as you go about your daily walk (or webcam your outside employees) about through your business, stop and give them support, praise, or even hand out rewards.   You’ll be surprised how welcomed these actions will be received and what a difference it makes in their continued performance.

Solicit:  Are all ideas for improving the business only supposed to come from you or your immediate reports?  Of course not.  You need ideas from every employee.  The best ideas come from the people working right in the heart of the business—possibly the ones doing your entry level jobs.  It’s a wonder what these people see and know and how it could affect your business.  They may be “afraid” to approach anyone to give these ideas, so come up with approaches that encourage them to present their ideas.  Remember, there is no such thing as a “bad” idea.

Temper:   As with everything in your business, all of the above methods in this road map to excellence require careful “tempering” and applying a balance to all the steps.   That is why it is the last item in this approach.  Not only should you be careful in your responses, think through any changes and how they will affect your business and your employees, but also you need to not let your ego get into this picture.  Don’t let yourself become stubborn in insisting on only your idea is a good one, or that John over there isn’t worth training or encouraging.  Be open.  Remember, excellence is your goal.  Don’t be satisfied with just being OK.  Invest for excellence!

The Carpe Diem Advisor is presented by Carpe Diem Coaching, LLC, which was founded by George O. Zach, an Executive Business Coach.  The above article was authored  by George.  The Advisor is a bi-monthly periodical, presented free of charge via the internet.  Comments and prospective client inquires are welcomed.  George can be contacted via email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .