So, how many NCAA Tournament brackets have you found on your printers at work this week?  I will admit that I have spent a single digit number of minutes filling out a bracket.

This year, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. estimates that workers distracted by March Madness could cost employers as much as $1.8 billion in unproductive employee time during the first week of the tournament, alone, based on 20 minutes of daily time wasting. Other sources cite up to 100 minutes per employee of tournament watching time during March Madness.

Try your best not to watch the scoreboards too much on Thursday and Friday but I can tell you that it will be VERY difficult not to do. 

- Greg

I don’t have this book yet but will VERY soon.  Anything from Peter Drucker is good:

http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Drucker-Insight-Motivation-Getting/dp/0060742445

What books are you currently reading?

-Greg

Tips Every Leader Should Know

The challenges of leadership in today’s economy are many. Some are tried and true, while others are unlike any in recent history. Regardless, leadership is what will separate the good from the great as our country works to rebuild a thriving, stable economy. Today, businesses everywhere are ramping up to come out of this recession stronger than before and rise above the rest.

That’s why business leaders at all levels must assess their current skill sets to make sure they can effectively lead their team to produce positive outcomes for their departments and companies. “As the economy and business market changes, it’s essential for business leaders to grow and develop with it,” said Robert A. Funk, co-founder and CEO of Express Employment Professionals. “Their success as a leader and as a company depends on it.” These four tactics can be beneficial in that process.

Be Flexible. Some managers believe they always have the answers, are always right, and never need to compromise. But, today’s successful leaders realize that a heavy-hand approach can be counterproductive. The best leaders will be the ones who aren’t afraid to say “I’m not entirely sure, what do you think?” or “Hey, let’s try something new and see if it works.” The changing economy brought uncertainty to the workplace, so a flexible leadership style can help navigate in this new business environment. Leaders who are open-minded are more likely to capitalize on new ideas.

Delegate Tasks and Trust Others. The truth is, most people learn by doing. And in today’s workplace, it’s essential to allow others to grow within their career and take on more responsibility. Most people in upper management worked hard to get where they are by doing things themselves. So, they often rely on continuing to do things the same way. But, effective leaders know how to trust others to help them accomplish their goals and delegate tasks to team members. They understand the importance of equipping their team members to accomplish individual goals. Micromanagers will not only have difficulty thriving in this new environment, but they may also lose valuable employees in the process.       

Hire for Success. Hiring for success means hiring based on skill sets a leader lacks. Because a great leader knows their limitations, they’re not afraid to admit their faults. In order for business leaders to achieve desired results, they must put the right people in place. Employees who will compliment the skills of the entire team. Being surrounded by the best employees will ultimately be a boost to any leader – and will set the entire company up for success.  

Coach Regularly. Mentoring employees has always been an important part of leadership, but now more than ever, it’s a necessary ingredient for any successful manager. Taking time to coach employees will result in higher productivity and increased engagement. Many employees have worked harder than ever this past year, and showing employees you’re invested in their career development will foster loyalty and respect. Leaders, even those who generally don’t consider themselves to be good mentors, will need to coach their employees and help them develop their careers.

The time for leaders to step up and focus on being effective is now. Those who achieve success will be the leaders who grow, develop, and change with the new economy. By focusing on coaching, delegation, flexibility, and hiring right, leaders will create a strong workforce that will outlast their competition and create a company that will rise above the rest.

To find out about your leadership style, go to www.myleadershipinstinct.com, or contact your local Express Employment Professionals office.

Posted on Mar 10, 2010 by David DeWitte.

Unemployment in the Cedar Rapids metro area leapt in January, as job cuts in retail, trade and transportation hit workers.

The January unemployment figure rose to 7.3 percent in the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area, from 6.5 percent in December.

Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area unemployment increased to 5.1 percent from 4.6 percent in December.

Unemployment barely rose statewide, edging to 6.6 percent from 6.5 percent in December. The release of the January numbers was delayed by an annual reconciliation of 2009 unemployment statistics.

The total number of unemployed workers statewide increased by 1,200 in January to 111,000, while the overall number of working Iowans increased by 2,600, to 1,570,200.

“Recent indicators show that confidence is beginning to rebuild among the state’s employers, which will gradually lead to hiring activity,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Elisabeth Buck said.

Trade and transportation jobs increased 3,400 in January statewide. That wasn’t the case in the Corridor, where many retail, trade and transportation jobs are concentrated.

Trade and transportation jobs slipped by 900 in the Cedar Rapids metro area from December to January, and by 700 jobs in the Iowa City metro area.

The economy is starting to turn around.  But there are still layoffs and uncertainty in the job market.  For you managers and executives out there, what are you doing to motivate employees?  Are you transparent enough?  Just some things to think about before the weekend.

Have a super Friday!

- Greg Schafer

Thought I would share a great quote today along with a book recommendation. Have a super day!

If you want to change an organization, you start by changing the patterns in which people talk together, the things they talk about, the frequency of their contact and the makeup of those who overhear them.” –Art Kleiner, Who Really Matters

Check out “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel Pink.

From the Corridor Business Journal:

Increased levels in sales, capital spending, and employment projected for the coming six months has moved the first quarter Iowa Business Council (IBC) Overall Economic Outlook Survey Index to 54.3 – its first time in positive sentiment territory since the third quarter of 2008.

The index is more than six points higher than three months ago (47.7), and 19 points higher from one year ago (35.3). The survey was completed by the 20 corporate members of the Iowa Business Council during the second half of February, the results of which were released today.

The first quarter sales index is 58, eight points higher than last quarter and 20 points ahead of one year ago. Eighty percent of the CEOs expect steady or increased business activity over the next six months – substantially higher (5 percent), higher (45 percent) or no change (30 percent). Twenty percent of survey respondents expect sales levels to decrease – lower (15 percent) or substantially lower (5 percent).

The first quarter capital spending index is 55, which is six points above last quarter and 24 points higher than the same quarter a year ago. Eighty percent of IBC corporate members expect steady or increased capital spending levels through August – substantially higher (15 percent), higher (15 percent) or no change (50 percent). Twenty percent of survey respondents expect capital spending, i.e., investments in facilities and equipment, to decrease – lower (15 percent) or substantially lower (5 percent).

The first quarter employment index is 50, six points higher than three months ago and 13 points ahead of this same time last year. Eighty percent expect hiring levels for the next six months to remain steady or grow. While none forecasted is as substantially higher, 20 percent saw it as higher while 60 percent foresaw no change. Twenty percent expect employment needs to decrease – lower (20 percent), while none thought it would go substantially lower.

“The survey results are encouraging.  We are beginning to see a broader base of confidence amongst Iowa’s largest employers,” said Tom Aller, president of Interstate Power & Light, in the report. “Most certainly, issues remain about the strength of a recovery. There is also deep concern about the messages lawmakers are sending to companies that have an interest to locate or expand operations in Iowa.”

Thought I would provide the link for Bestsellers in Business & Investing on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/3/ref=pd_ts_b_nav

I buy more books than I can read and need to get caught up before purchasing more but it’s always fun to shop.  My buddy has used the StrengthsFinder 2.0 online test for hiring purposes and says it is solid.

-Greg Schafer

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My close friend vowed that he would never join the  Facebook ranks.  Well, this week he is on the site and posting like crazy. So now I know that social media is popular.

Just remember when searching for a job, HR departments are looking at your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and your comments and photos can make a difference between landing the job or staying on the couch.

Have a super weekend!

- Greg Schafer

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