Your success as a manager depends upon having a workforce that is committed to your organization and a management staff that knows how to engage your people. If you can answer affirmatively to at least 14 of the 15 statements below, then your organization is humming. If you can't, then you've got some work to do.

• We are able to recruit good people.
• We are able to retain our best employees.
• Injured employees return to work quickly from work related injuries.
• We are able to retain our customers.
• Each year we regularly get new customers.
• Our customers regularly provide good feedback on our service (products).
• Our employees know what is expected of them.
• We have confidence that our supervisors are managing effectively
• Our employees feel a connection to the goals of the organization.
• Our supervisors regularly recognize & praise their employees when they do good work.

• Our employees know they have job security if they do good work.
• The company is hitting its financial (sales) goals.
• We are confident that our employees are doing the right things when dealing with customers.
• We trust our employees and they trust us.
• Things are better this year than last year.

How'd you do? If you would like the complete self- assessment with the the scorecard and key, give me a call at 207-967- 0837. Take the steps to ensure success.

I have have developed my Linkedin profile and I encourage you to visit my site. If you have not yet begun using this social networking site (www.linkedin.com), I encourage you to do so. I am now connected to many of my clients and friends and have also found many new connections as well as long lost acquaintances. Its fun and I am finding it makes good business sense. Give it a try and I'd be happy to "connect."

If you're thinking of removing your coffee machines from the office, think again. Not only will morale suffer but productivity may also plummet as employees lose work time by leaving your office to get their coffee fix.

According to a McKinsey Social Networking Study, 42% of employees believe hot beverages have a positive effect on their productivity. Another 57% felt that when employers provided them "good hot beverage options at work," it demonstrated that they cared for their well-being. "Cream and sugar?"

If you are faced with laying off your employees, I can help you. If you're concerned about the trauma of layoffs on your workers and their families; the impact on your remaining workforce; and your vulnerability to lawsuits from angry laid off workers, then I can help by providing Outplacement Assistance. My outplacement program will provide your displaced workers with the tools and the skills needed to quickly find new jobs. The result will be that each individual will find new employment; your company's remaining workforce will see that you care about all your employees; and there will be minimal negative impact on you and your organization from these layoffs.

Call me today at 207-967- 0837 to learn how Outplacement can help you and your organization.

I will be speaking before the following group in June:

Maine Health Care Association Leadership Symposium on June 3: the topic will be Adding Value and Improving Productivity: Where Less is More. To register, contact MEHCA at 207-623-1146.

To book me for your next event, call 207-967-0837 or visit www.dacri.com.