Episode 177 – Methods of giving feedback

Episode 177 – Methods of giving feedback
by | December 29, 2020

Much of the work we do in our businesses revolves around communication, particularly when we talk about employee engagement.  Feedback is one of the most effective means to ensure that you have actively engaged employees.  So how do we make sure we’re giving effective and meaningful feedback? Before answering that, what exactly is feedback? Feedback is communicating clearly about a person’s progress, strength, and areas of improvement. With that definition, your feedback should acknowledge their strengths and areas of improvement. Great feedback should be a balanced combination of positive reinforcements and areas that needs work. If the balance is off,
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Your people desperately need training to develop crucial skills

Your people desperately need training to develop crucial skills
by | December 28, 2020

I’ve talked before about the crucial need for skills, not technical skills or coding skills or even trade labor skills. Those can all be taught and learned through courses and programs. The training I’m talking about is what we traditionally label “soft skills.” Jeff Wiener, CEO of LinkedIn, continuously talks about the need for those soft skills, and how they’re critical in our ever-changing landscape. These skills include oral communication, written communication, team building, leadership, and time management. 92% of employers say that skill shortages is negatively affecting productivity, employee satisfaction, and turnover. In addition, less than 40% of Millennials
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Episode 174 – Right people in the right seats – for real

Episode 174 – Right people in the right seats – for real
by | December 11, 2020

One of the most rigorous processes a company goes through is recruitment. Regardless of whose perspective, several boxes need to be checked to ensure we get the right person for the position or land the perfect job as applicants. Recruiting and qualifications go beyond what’s in the resume. Yes, credentials and skills are essential, but often overlooked are the intangibles. Character, inquisitiveness, and enthusiasm are equally important qualities that need to be carefully considered. A lot of these qualities are not measured or conveyed in a resume. A person showing genuine eagerness, curiosity, and confidence toward the ins and outs
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Episode 172 – Employee engagement, employee happiness, and the choice to make

Episode 172 – Employee engagement, employee happiness, and the choice to make
by | December 4, 2020

One of the cornerstones of the success of any organization or business is the people behind it. And one of the most reliable ways to guarantee productivity and growth is keeping employee engagement up. A handful of research and statistics show that actively engaged employees perform much better, more likely to go the extra mile, and less likely to take paid time off, or even leave the company when they’re engaged in their work. Disengaged employees often only do what’s in the job description and usually do not show initiative to better their performance. So, employee engagement is crucial to
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Episode 170 – Are you willing to communicate?

Episode 170 – Are you willing to communicate?
by | November 27, 2020

In a business or professional setting, the best way to get things done correctly and efficiently is through communication. For a business to succeed, communication efforts should be the driving force with whatever situation you’re facing. Not communicating can give out impressions of apathy, callousness, and carelessness. To put it simply, good communication = productivity. For owners, professionals, and/or employees, here’s a couple of questions to ponder on: Do you effectively communicate? Are you proactively making efforts to communicate?  Tune in for another informative episode of the Dawn Shuler When People Thrive, Companies Thrive podcast. Other podcast episodes to reference:
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Episode 165 – You have a voice

Episode 165 – You have a voice
by | November 10, 2020

If there is anything this recent election has taught us is that we all have a voice.  It’s important that we stand up and share it. That isn’t only true in politics. It’s also true in your organization.  You have a voice. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to use it? Listen in as Dawn Shuler shares instances where people do – and do not – use their voice in their organizations. Special bonus:  a favorite scene from one of Dawn’s favorite movies, The King’s Speech.
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Episode 163 – Managing good people is easy

Episode 163 – Managing good people is easy
by | October 27, 2020

A couple of years ago, we were interviewing individual employees as part of our Company Climate Inventory with a client.  During this interview, I asked the gentleman about his strengths and gifts, especially with regard to managing others.  He said, “Managing good people is easy.” “What makes someone ‘good’?” I asked. “Not lazy,” was his response. Is that really all that it is?  Just someone doing their job, and therefore managing that person is effortless? No, it takes more than that.  Listen in as I go a little deeper into defining good managers and good employees. Other podcast episodes referenced: 
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Episode 157 – We’re entering the 8th month of COVID-19…. what should you be asking your employees?

Episode 157 – We’re entering the 8th month of COVID-19…. what should you be asking your employees?
by | September 29, 2020

I mentioned back in March that here at The Shuler Group, we were halting all projects involving our proprietary Company Climate Inventory.  It just didn’t make sense in this time of turmoil to try to get a “normal” temperature reading of the climate at an organization.  Everything would have been skewed. Almost eight months later, though, it’s time to get that temperature reading, especially in terms of how organizations are supporting their remote workers, changing priorities, and setting themselves up for success.  Listen in as Dawn Shuler shares the 7 new questions they are adding to their standard Company Climate
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Episode 154 – Failed customer service

Episode 154 – Failed customer service
by | August 12, 2020

Most companies would say that their customers and clients are of paramount importance and that they pride themselves on great customer service. (Have you ever heard a company boast about its horrible customer service?)  However, we all know that not all companies have good customer service. Good customer service isn’t about that it’s the “right thing to do.” It also makes great business sense.  A customer is 4x as likely to defect to a competitor if the problem is service-related, rather than if it’s price- or product-related.  55% of customers would pay extra to guarantee better service. Listen in as
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Episode 152 – Have you been invited to give feedback?

Episode 152 – Have you been invited to give feedback?
by | July 31, 2020

There is a difference between a formal process of feedback (for example, when a manager and employee meet weekly to discuss performance) and volunteered feedback. If feedback is not welcome, if you have not been invited to give said feedback, then your feedback may not be received well. So, how do you give feedback? And on the other side, how do you express your expectations clearly about what you’re looking for in terms of feedback (or not)? Other episodes referenced:  Feedback – what it really is
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