Tag: employees - Page 3

We've all been employees at some time in our life and many of us, no matter how good we think we are as people, have made a mistake or two in the roles we have been employed in. It's human, and expected. 

What is interesting though, is that some people never learn the lesson. As employers we all hope that they do it all when they are young, and then move on to taking a more mature approach to things, especially if they want to get ahead in their careers.

The challenges of being an employee are many, but mostly, it's about life in general. People spend so much time at work, they have to love it, and get the most out of the situation. It has to be part of a greater plan.

My first employer was a perfectionist

When I was younger, I remember one of my first employers was a perfectionist, and it was hard to always be 'perfect' at everything I did. But I learned not to make the same mistake twice and always listen, take notes and check my work before handing it in. At the time, I was terrified of him, but respected him because of his talent and the fact that he did some really smart things and ran a business with no University Degree, or backing. Just an inate business capability, creativity and a desire to do everything 'perfectly'. He also had a philosophy that everyone must stop for morning tea and afternoon tea regardless and sit together and chat about anything other than work.

I was paid $12,000 per year

It challenges you as an employee to live up to these expectations, but it has set me up for life and for that I am grateful. I also hold this employer in the highest regard. I was paid $12,000 per year, and after a few months, he put it up to $14,000 per year. I wanted to come to work earlier, and work later, but my immediate supervisor was against this, and it's funny, as I am that same person today with my staff. I don't want for them to work long hours. I want for them to live life.

You could sleep your way to the top

Other employers taught me different things; working in big corporations particularly in the media I learned that politics is everything, and back then, you possibly could sleep your way to the top (sad but true). I never did and never have, but it was possible back then - less so now. Another employer taught me the importance of good family values and treating everyone like they are a member of your family. Being there when things are tough, and allowing stars to shine. They also taught me that there are some people that you should just let go - and see what they come up with. They did that to me, and it's amazing what I achieved and how proud of that work I am today. I am still in contact with them and still part of the family. Something I cherish.

Then there was the opportunist employer, who at the time I was grateful for giving me an opportunity, but found that values are more important. I left only because I needed to stay on the career path of marketing and the role was too PR related. He saw an opportunity in the not-for-profit space and took it.

I didn't quite respect him

The last one that really touched me and helped shape me was someone I didn't quite respect, but learned that you should take risks and networking is everything. What I loved about that job was the fact that I was able to meet some of the most powerful and influential people in the world, and travel with them promoting an industry. The lack of respect only comes from my own moral compass, but I do believe that it is important to appreciate what these people give us in knowledge and insight. He taught me that age doesn't matter when it comes to jobs. He had a 21 year old run a magazine straight from University. He also taught me that some people just have ability to hire the right people, and he certainly did that. Everyone who worked there was ambitious and went on to become serious players in their careers.

Standout employees make others sometimes feel insecure

My very last big role before starting my own business taught me what it is like to work in an environment where you stand out, but that makes other's feel insecure. How to manage that, I did not know at the time, but I watch for that in my team now and make sure that they navigate that path in a way that brings out the best in everyone.

Working for someone is a privilege, and even though I am saying that as an employer, I think many young people forget that. Owners of small businesses in particular have a lot of stress and have to think about things you would never have considered. Paying payroll and ensuring that there are enough clients to sustain a business is just part of it. But it's also HR, accounting, marketing, legal and leadership. There is so much to think of. Why I say that it is a privilege is because whether you like it or not, they make sure that every week you get your salary, your super is paid and you get 4 weeks annual leave, 10 days minimum sick leave, and 10 days or so that are public holidays. That's a lot for FREE, and I know employees don't see it that way, but at the end of the day, this takes a huge chunk out of the year and productivity.

I am grateful

As an employer, I am grateful. I have given myself the opportunity to have the dream job, but with everything that is good, there is always challenges that bring you back to reality. 

Today's team of people that work at Marketing Eye are amazing. I am lucky. Anyone who has ever left, meant to leave. We only live once and as long as we do so with integrity and compassion, it's a life worth living.

When the clock strikes midnight on 31st December, we all take a moment to reflect, whether we like it or not. Many of us do so with a few too many champagnes under our belt.

Many of us make new year's resolutions - mostly ones that last a few days and are soon forgotten. 

But there is one that often creates change, and that is the desire to have a new job, change direction and do something that is more fulfilling.

Anonymity online no matter how much you think that you have created an anonymous account, is no longer the case. With the changes in Australian law and the brilliance of a number of technology experts, finding the source of an anonymous comment on a website is now the norm.

Over a year back I received a call from a tech guy who was out to turn the tables on people who write slander on employers as anonymous people on influential websites. He not only told me what he could do, but actively showed me how you can find out who wrote what on various websites and then trace their whereabouts. It's quite fascinating really and something that at long last brings to the table something all future employers want to know.

I'm often asked what my management style is and it's a very hard question to answer. I am almost never "there" and we have had in place until two years ago a CEO, so there was never a reason for me to be actively involved in day-to-day management or leadership. In the past two years, we have focused on a flat management style where no-one really has a boss but they have a "coach" or person to go to with a title of State Manager whenever they feel the need to for normal administrative purposes or if they feel they are looking for leadership.

When your company is growing as fast as ours, you often find yourself short of staff. We feel as though we are constantly in catch up mode, yet somehow we deliver for our clients and continue to produce work of a high standard.

Behind the scenes it's a different matter. There is pressure and a constant reminder of the fact that there are so many things that still need to be done.

I am a strong believer in culture and finding the right fit. I handed over the reigns a long time ago to staff so that they can pick their own colleagues and it works mostly, but doesn't when they too find pressure in finding a person fast. They miss the small steps that always tend to be the most important out of the mix.

“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.” ~Dalai Lama

I am jetlagged. That's nothing unusual really. I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep and then eventually I get out of bed and go to work.

Usually before the sun rises.

That has become the norm as I fly internationally so often growing my business and exploring the world around me. During my travels, I pick up books from bookstores often on business or psychology. The more I can read someone, the better decisions I can make in life or in business. A few years back I was given a book on cold reading. I read it from front cover to back, and from that point on, I feel as though it has become much harder for people to pull the wool over my eyes.

Oh how the world has changed. Back in my fathers generation one bad egg would not have crippled a business. Though now it would. 

The poison that one person can throw on a company is insurmountable, all made by humans of course in the form of the internet. Yet, we all breathe faith into common sense as a whole and how one complainer, may in fact be the only.

I'm a part-time leader in Atlanta. Actually, less than a part time leader - I am there when I can be but mostly I am running around the world doing other "stuff".

Our brand in Atlanta is continuing to grow. I am constantly going out and meeting people who know who we are, what we do and follow us on some sort of social media platform.

It's not by accident that we have grown our business there and it can largely be attributed to a few things:

Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs have experienced a toxic employee. They are the one's whose glass is half empty. They constantly complain, nitpick, bitch, gossip and in general have an underlying mean spirit.

We are embarking on an influx of new employees. Reflecting on our growth and what it means to the business, I am more determined than ever to get our onboarding process right.

Fortunately, marketing is our forte and as such, there are a few things that we can do to make the onboarding process memorable.