The Entrepreneur and Negative Motivation
November 22nd, 2007 § 2 Comments
Negative motivation? Why not? Most motivational practices are positive. It should be that way; however, constructive criticism, loss of incentives, warnings plus others should also be practiced for balance.
- Make the consequences clear
- Give warnings
- Never make it personal
- Make it a learning experience
- Allow them to regain lost ground
Make the consequences clear
Clearly communicate the consequences of substandard work. If they can gain rewards, make it clear that they can also miss out on them, worst, they can lose some bonuses.
Give warnings
Sloppy work should never be tolerated. Appreciate the positive that you can see but be honest if you think they did not give their all. If someone continues to work sloppily, help them, if substandard work continues, threaten to demote or fire.
Never make it personal
Never attack the person. You will demoralize them if you do. Give constructive criticism on the work and advice them on how they can improve.
Make it a learning experience
Every moment is a learning experience. But failure definitely teaches memorable lessons. Ask the team what they learned from a failure. Help them analyze the situation.
Allow them to regain lost ground
Give them another chance. Allow them to gain what they lost, the incentives in particular. Keep believing that they can do better.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
The Entrepreneur Should Give Incentives to His Team
November 18th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
Team incentives can really spark enthusiasm. Always make sure that they are properly communicated.
The following are some tips with regard to incentives.
- It does not have to be expensive
- But it can be expensive
- You may use gifts
- Money is a great motivator
- It should be performance based
It does not have to be expensive
The most common incentives come in monetary bonuses, but there are other ways to motivate your team. Use symbols that reflect excellence. Try giving away a “President’s Pen”. The pen may cost less than PhP5,000 but when you attach a meaning to it that is recognized by everyone, it’s value changes.
But it can be expensive
Why not? If specific goals are hit and the team deserves it, send them to “paradise.” Weekend at the beach, a whole day spa treatment, sponsor a whole year in a gym.
You may use gifts
Give away small gifts with a lot of heart into it. It only means, “I am happy that you are with us and I appreciate your work.” It may be a book, coffee gift certificates, or a one-hour spa. Write a personal dedication. It will mean a lot to them.
Money is a great motivator
There is no question about it, money motivates! Because it is everyone’s need. If goals are met give them money. This may take the form of 14th, 15th, 16th month pay or more. Profit share is good for smaller companies.
It should be performance based
I do not believe in giving incentives without corresponding progress. Incentives should reward excellent work. Excellent work for the small entrepreneur is always about the profit. If the sales reached the target, if the operations were able to save on expenses, and the quality of the service and productions made the customers happy; then a reward is deserved.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
The Entrepreneur Should Recognize His Team
November 18th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
There are different ways to recognize your team member aside from plaques and trophies. Here are a few:
- Never ignore them
- Show that you value their efforts
- Always acknowledge their work to others
- Identify with them
- Believe in them and let them know it!
Never ignore them
Every member of the team, every executive or employee is important. There are times that top executives may give the impression that they ignore the staff. Many times it is unintentional. Have someone tell you if you have that impression. People in your organization are emotional creatures, they need to feel that they are part of the team.
Show that you value their efforts
When the members of your team see that you value their efforts, they will be motivated to produce better results. You may do this by thanking them. Yes even if they get paid to do it. You are simply appreciating their efforts.
Always acknowledge their work to others
Brag how pleased you are with the work of your team every time they do a good job. They will eventually find out that you acknowledge their work to others. This will boost their morale. It will also inspire loyalty.
Identify with them
If the team does not do well, do not distance yourself from them. Make them feel that you were part of the failure. Discuss with them how the team can do better. If the team does a good work, praise them for it. You were a part of it as well.
Believe in them and let them know it!
Your team will keep getting better if you inspire them by believing in them. Everyone can improve. With some encouragement and a lot of belief from other people, anyone can change for the better.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
Create a Happy Environment for Your Team
November 16th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
This may sound strange for some small entrepreneurs but if you are able to create a happy environment for your team, they will be able to work better.
I firmly believe that employees are hired so that the company can profit. They were not hired to be happy. However, having a happy environment can help people work better compared to a stiff or threatening environment.
- Ask what makes them happy
- Ask what irritates them
- Extend to their families
- Sponsor seminars on happy family living
- Require your people to exercise
Ask what makes them happy
You may use a survey form or questionnaire. They will be surprised. Not many companies ask their team or employees about their happiness. It will mean a lot to them. You will have a better idea of how to improve the work environment.
Ask what irritates them
Little irritants especially at work will affect the team’s motivational level. If you know what it is then you might be able to remove it if it is reasonable.
Extend to their families
Most people find happiness in their families. Reaching out to their families will definitely increase the motivational level of the team. You may sponsor family day in a camp site, a party for spouses and fiances.
Sponsor seminars on happy family living
Problems in the family do affect work. Even the most emotionally mature will admit this. Your team may have been equipped to do their job; unfortunately, most of them are not equipped to handle family life. Sponsoring seminars on happy family living, I think, is a great idea.
Require your people to exercise
People who exercise have more energy. Their emotions are also more healthy. Some companies actually have a schedule for joint exercises because they believe in a more holistic development for their people.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
Encourage Your Team to Love Learning
November 15th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
Encourage your team to love learning because a team who does will surpass their present capabilities. Learning new things and relearning foundational principles help a lot in a team’s motivation.
- Books, books, books
- Send them to seminars
- Practice Mentoring and Coaching
- Make the senior officers teach them
- Go formal education
Books, books, books
If your team does not love to read, you can be sure that they will not reach full potential. Fresh ideas, encouraging stories, and an alternative perspective can really motivate an individual. Have a list of required reading.
Send them to seminars
Sending your team to seminars always increases their level of motivation. Since the heart often loses motivation, it would be a good strategy to have them attend regular seminars. You may send them to a public seminar or hold an in-house seminar.
Practice Mentoring and Coaching
A mentor is more knowledgeable and experienced compared to his apprentice, while a coach is skilled in helping the subject define his goals, stay focused, and give honest feedback. Mutual-menotring and mutual coaching can really help the team learn from each other. Another option is to bring a mentor or coach from the outside.
Make the senior officers teach them
Nothing beats a teaching leader. This gives the team members a certain confidence. Their leader knows what he is doing. He has the experience and he is imparting it to everyone.
Go formal education
Depending on the relevance, the company may sponsor some team members to formal education. It is easier today because of information technology. There are some colleges that offer online degrees.
It is our duty as entrepreneurs to strengthen our team. One of the best ways is to inculcate in them the love for learning. A powerful team is a knowledgeable team.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
How to Make Your Team Feel Important
November 13th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
Your team is important; therefore, make them feel important. Team members who feel important will always do better. Here are five tips to make them feel important.
- Get to know each team member
- Validate his/her strength
- Ask their opinion
- Do Impromptu talks
- Answer the WHY not only the WHAT
Get to know each team member
I have learned that people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Show a genuine interest in their welfare, their ideas, and their success. Getting to know them more is a great encouragement for them.
Validate his/her strength
Many times team members need to be told what their strengths are. Some of them do not know where they are good at. Others know but they still need to hear it from someone. They will feel validated if the compliment comes from a leader.
Ask their opinion
Share a scenario then ask what they would do. You may even use the present scenario then ask what they would do if they were in your shoes. They will feel that you respect them because you listened, even if you decide contrary to their opinion.
Do impromptu talks
Appreciating the efforts of a team through short impromptu talks, almost always touches the heart. Impromptu talks because it is unrehearsed sounds more personal and from the heart. The best time is to do it just after a tough task.
Answer the WHY not only the WHAT
Each team member will be more motivated if they understand the reason for the task. They will feel important because explaining the WHY expresses trust. A team member will always work better if he/she knows that he/she is trusted.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
Motivation Factor: A Plus for Entrepreneurs
November 12th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
What is the motivation factor?
It is simply adding motivation to self and others especially during an endeavor be it business or otherwise.
There is no substitute to planning your work and working your plan. This is a given in any life, career or business. Without plan and work, there can be no progressive success.
But there is another factor that should be in the equation, motivation.
Motivation is the plus factor that can give meaning to work. And meaning is something that all of us must have or else, work can be a drag.
Like spice and salt, it adds flavor and excitement. Who wants to eat food without taste?
Come to think of it, we do not need taste in food for it to be nutritious. But why do we take so much effort to cook or buy food that tastes good and looks good?
We seek satisfaction not only for survival but also for our emotions! Good food somehow makes us happy.
Work can be tiring and it can be a drag. If you are not inspired in your work then you are probably one of the most miserable people in the world.
Yes, I am exaggerating.
My point is, most people spend most of their time awake at work. If one is not inspired at work then he is probably not happy most of the time that is.
Business should be fun! An entrepreneur not having fun is missing half of the experience.
Motivation helps strengthen the will to do better. I think there is no question about this.
Compare two people with equal talent, knowledge and skill. One is highly motivated, the other is not. Who do you think will do a better job?
A businessman who is motivated will always beat the other businessman who is not motivated. One way or the other the motivated person catches up.
Are you a motivated entrepreneur?
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
Extra-Ordinary Entrepreneur
November 11th, 2007 § Leave a Comment
Extraordinary. Ordinary. The real difference is just a little extra. However, it is actually a whole lot more if accumulated through time.
Every person has the opportunity to be extraordinary. All that’s needed is the decision and the determination to consistently do the extra.
In the 1940s a respected senator who was admired for his knowledge was asked, “You never spent much time in college, if any. How did you acquire your understanding of national and international affairs? Where have you learned so much about so many things?”
His answer was direct, “When I was 18 I made a rule that I would read 2 hours everyday. Whether I am in a train, in hotels, in waiting rooms…”
Reading for two hours everyday made him an expert without spending much time in college.
That little extra accumulated through time compounds. People who will never sacrifice for that little extra everyday or every week will never be extraordinary, they will remain ordinary forever.
In basketball, an extra field goal, or an extra rebound, or an extra steal, or an extra turn over; can determine between winning and losing.
The coach understands the importance of that little extra in every area. A dynamic team will always strive to give a little more than their best.
If every member of the team gives ten percent more, the end result is not ten percent increase in the bottom-line. It is so much more.
This is also true for any business. Try increasing the rate in every sales activity by ten percent.
If we increase the number of leads, conversion rate, number of transactions, and profit margins each by ten percent; the result is not ten percent more in the bottom-line. It is so much more.
That little extra accumulated through time compounds. Teams who will never sacrifice for that little extra will remain ordinary forever.
Do you want to be an extraordinary entrepreneur? If yes, then you must put in that little extra in every area of your business and yourself in a regular manner.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
How to Deal with Failure
November 10th, 2007 § 1 Comment
“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” – Abraham Lincoln
Failure can either break us or make us. Those broken by failure are haunted by unpleasant memories. These memories are like shadows that lurk in front, behind, beside, beneath and above. It is also a cage that traps the mind, preventing it to entertain possibilities of freedom and success. They are convinced that they cannot do it; therefore, they will not try.
For those that failure could not break are those who became made “men.” Failure to them is not a ghost, but a friend who taught them well. It is also a stepping stone to wisdom. These men and women are convinced that true failure only happens when one gives up.
History has been kind to President Abraham Lincoln. He has been painted as probably the greatest president of the United States of America. It is the good thing that history also recorded his failures. It reflected his frail humanity but also showed his attitude of never giving up.
These failures could not stop him, he kept moving forward. The following is a short list of his ups and downs and ups.
1831 – Failed in business
1832 – Defeated for legislature
1833 – Again failed in business
1834 – Elected to legislature
1835 – Sweetheart died
1836 – Had a nervous breakdown
1838 – Defeated for speaker
1840 – Defeated for elector
1843 – Defeated for Congress
1846 – Elected for Congress
1848 – Defeated for Congress
1855 – Defeated for Senate
1856 – Defeated for Vice-President
1858 – Defeated for Senate
1860 – ELECTED PRESIDENT
He was defeated more times than he won, but that did not mean he was a failure. Remember, that failures are only permanent if we stop trying. I believe the only real failure is the failure not to move on.
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the only way
to deal with failure
is to learn from it
and move on
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Brix, a friend of mine, narrated his adventure in climbing Pico de Loro, a mountain that spans parts of Cavite and Batangas. He said that he was exhausted and was about to give up. He told the guide that he wanted to go down. But the guide said that he was only a few more steps from the peak. What a waste of effort if he gave up. But his efforts were rewarded by the view and by the lesson. Now he can’t stop talking about the experience. Just look at his blog site.
A breakthrough may just be a few steps away. What a pity for those of us who would stop moving on. As far as I am concerned, the only way to deal with failure is to learn from it and move on.
The end result for Mr. Lincoln was that he became president and through his influence, was able to defend the constitution by winning the civil war, and was able to free slaves in certain states through the Emancipation Proclamation. He even tried to give voting rights to the blacks for which he was assassinated. He has been long gone yet he is remembered dearly by all who read about his story. His very name is a legacy of success!
What would be your end result? You may not know everything but you can determine your attitude to failure. You can either allow it to break you or allow it to make you. Your call!
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©
