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‘Sacrifice People to save numbers’

Jane JamesLeave a comment

I came across this quote whilst reading work by Simon Sinek – the renowned motivational speaker – check him out on YouTube.

 

We’ve all seen companies downsize their staff in turbulent financial times with no thought about the impact on those individuals, their families nor the overall drop in moral on the staff they keep.

 

Even when there isn’t a financial downturn, companies will often shred staff to reduce their payroll bill and thus increase their profits – more palatable for the shareholders – or is it?

 

I worked for a company for over 12 years.  Just before the financial reporting, a round of redundancies would be announced to ensure the company retained it’s double digit growth.  In reality, they haven’t grown at all.  All they had done was culled their staff.

 

Simon’s point was what would happen if companies did the reverse? ‘Sacrificed the numbers to save the people’ – what a thought.  The example he gave was of Bob Chapman Chair of Barry-Wehmiller in USA.  This company was a £1bn plus turnover and made big machinery.  In the 2008 financial crash he decided to ‘sacrifice the numbers to save the people’.   With 30% written of the company’s value in one fail swoop – it was time to try something new.

 

He suggested everyone – from himself downwards, would take four weeks unpaid holiday.  They didn’t have to take it consecutively and they could take it when they wanted but everyone would keep their jobs.  The response was huge.  Those senior people who could afford to take more unpaid leave traded with those that couldn’t.  Everyone worked as a family, pulling together.  They were involved in the decision, given the support to do it and felt safe and happy.  The company prospered.  It enjoys 20% year on year growth compared with the average 6%.

 

When you believe in why you are doing something, everything else falls into place.  People support you because they believe in the same thing.

 

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if all companies ‘Sacrificed the numbers for the people’?

 

How much more would their profits grow?  What do you think?

So the madness begins…..

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Why is it every year people spend money on things they can’t afford for people they don’t always like, let alone love in the name of Christmas – a great marketing ploy……

Now the awful news for CityLink’s workforce of losing their jobs – what new year beckons for them? – especially if, like many people, they spent overdrafts/loans etc getting presents, food, booze and so on?  The news this morning of queues 500 deep for the Boxing Day sales!  Where does this total consumption end? Half the time we buy stuff in sales which we regret later.

Life can be very cruel and we never know what is round the corner.

Watching the baby in our family show huge excitement at the balloons, tinsel, wrapping paper struck me on how much I’d become wrapped up in the consumerisation of Christmas.  Buying too much of stuff that will be thrown away.  The baby of the family showed me all that is needed is time, attention and love – none of which we can buy.

As the New Year beckons, let’s love ourselves and our families that bit more by giving our time, energy and focus to what they are doing rather than line the pockets of retailers.

I’m very lucky in having a job I love and family and friends I care about and who care about me.  I wish you all the same.  May 2015 be filled with opportunities for you.  My New Year’s resolution is to not fall into the marketing/sales traps anymore.  To enjoy the holidays for their true meaning – not religious dictates – but to be with those we love and show them we love them – not with goods but with us physically being there – all of the time, not just at the holidays.

Instead of being rich, losing weight, never drinking again, why don’t you pick a New Year’s resolution which is achievable, sustainable and will bring you so much more joy.

Happy New Year!