Something To Pass On To New Employees

Mike Finley

This is something I give to any new employees shortly after they start working with us. The first few days are the most critical for a new employee so I try to stick close and make sure they are getting all the attention they need. I ask them to read it and then ask for their comments. It's always been a good way to take their temperature. Maybe you have a need for something like this.







New to the retail business and eager to learn and make my mark, I became frustrated because I wasn’t being challenged enough and wasn’t learning as much as I expected from my boss. I had been on the job as an assistant buyer a mere eighteen months when I complained about my situation.

I was told by my college recruiter, who had played an integral role in my decision to join the company that I should “Bloom where you are planted.”

My attitude and focus were forever changed. My attention shifted from where I was to what I was doing, and how I could make the most of my current situation. Committing myself to doing the best job possible regardless of my assignment while maintaining a positive attitude became my focus.

During my career, I have found that the ground in which we find ourselves planted varies in composition. Sometimes it is fertile and healthy, making growth seem a part of nature’s course. At other times the soil may be dry, cracked and rocky, making growth more challenging. I learned that I could prosper in either situation as long as I stayed focused on my responsibilities to be the best that I could be regardless of where I was planted. And, if I performed at my maximum capabilities, I might actually leave the ground a little more fertile for the person who would come behind me, or take my place.

Today I share this lesson with our young associates. I tell them to focus on what they can control – their performance and their attitude – and they will likely be recognized and eventually given assignments that will be more challenging, more desirable and more rewarding. And most important I remind them, that with each transplant comes another opportunity to bloom.

K2

So your saying "No future here" just enjoy and work hard.

Celtic

Plants bloom best when in manure...are people the same

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Mike Finley

Is that hand in hand with treat em like mushrooms?

Keep em in the dark and feed em lots of bullsh*t?

Heritage

If the guy was smart, he wouldn't be working for you. Since he does work for you, you're doing a good job of treating him like a mushroom. Which is good for you, and that's all that matters.

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Mike Finley

Lord, I feel sorry for anybody working for you guys.

K2

Here's a principle I learned from the second biggest commercial/custom home contractor in this city who worked his way up from nothing.

"If I pay an employee too much, I can't afford him. If I pay him too little, he can't afford to stay."

boman47k

Too much and too fresh can burn plants!

DamionR

Wow... it's the Declaration of Subservience... spelled out for me

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wackman

I think it makes a great point. Just because someone doesn't really like where they're at or what they're doing, that doesn't necessarily mean the job sucks.

We all know people who tend to always think the grass is greener elsewhere even when they're getting a pretty sweet deal. They just aren't happy people and don't appreciate what they DO have.

I call them "glass half empties".

Not many people are legitimately cut out to be self employeed, business owners or investors. The majority are better off as employees and that's where this advise makes good sense.

We give raises to people who have earned a raise, not people who will work harder AFTER we give them more money right? So for me it's the guys who want it and will go the extra mile that gets the raises, promotions, and responsibilities, and I try to recognize their work quickly instead of sucking them dry.

My (long winded) 2 cents.

BreyerConstruct

Wack- I couldn't agree more.

~Matt

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JamesNLA

Thanks for posting that. I am reminded that not everybody was raised with integrity - self respect - determination. I just expect anyone that I am working with to BE that guy that makes the very best of his/her situation. I do....for the most part, and that has gotten me through some really sh*t times in my life. Not only in life, but in work too, making the best of a situation and BEing the very best I can be everyday is IMO crucial to being sucessful. There is nothing that pisses me off more than the guy counting down the last 10 seconds before quitting time. That just makes my blood boil. Great post, I never thought to actually give someone a read like this but I can see how it would/could help out with newbies.

Rant:
I'm at the supply house (lumber) this past Tuesday in Santa Barbara.
Kid behind the counter who is ringing me up is moving quickley. Boss is in the same area watching. He tells the kid when are you gonna start the sales printout, he tells the boss man I'm not, there isn't enough time and I'm off the clock in (starts to look at his watch) 2 minutes. This raised an eyebrow for me as I looked up. I look over to boss man and I could just see it all over his face. So me being the butt in non mind my own business kind (at least that day) I asked the kid, why not stay a little bit longer and get your job completed. He said because they won't pay me. I politley said, Oh..ok I see. Um, do you ever think you will get a raise or promotion when your running out the door exactly at 5 with your finger in the air for all to see? He gave me a look like huh? I just smiled and said good luck to ya. Boss man walked me out to my truck, patted me on the back and said thanks. I think I might print this out for him and who knows maybe he'll give it to the kid and some good will come out of it.

If ya ain't helping your hurting

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MattCoops

Nice article.

The only things told to our new employees is:

1. Give lip to the boss and end up in a chokehold
2. Bring your own tools or clean the truck for the day
3. Don't cuss on the jobsite
4. Clean up after yourself
5. Leave home at home, and work safe to go back to it.

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Mike Finley

Glad a few people understand it and get it. Kiind of shocked me how so many people here would thumb there noses at anything that Terry Lundgren would say, but... maybe Forest Gump said it best.