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Week of July 6, 2009
July 6, 2009
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Friday 7/10, 2009
The Corporate Executive Board is a company that consults with major corporations offering research and other tools to make their businesses more successful. Their research has recently found that work-life balance is the second most-important driver of employee attraction and commitment. The #1 driver is still compensation, but in today's economic climate increasing compensation is probably moot for most companies.
Work-life balance doesn't necessarily mean providing expensive services like an on-site gym. Actually, the most important employer-provided service is the gift of time! In fact, more than 60% of the employees polled in the CEB study identified flexible schedules as the most important work-life practice their employer could provide. They don't want to work less; they just want to have the opportunity to make their schedule fit with other important things in their lives. Believe it or not, they have other important life issues like child care and elder care.
You might be surprised at how little change would be required if you asked your employees if some sort of flex hours would help them. It's against policy? Change the policy ... or ignore it. I'm sure you've heard the old saying, "Desperate times call for drastic measures." Look where some of our policies have gotten us. Since 2006 the number of employees who felt they had a good work-life balance has tumbled from 53% to 30%. I'm tired of seeing morale sink like a rock in soft water. Suck it up and make your employees happy ... do flex hours, four-day work weeks, extra days off for extra work, etc. etc. etc.
My experience has been to get more work out of people who have been given the opportunity to flex a bit.
Thursday 7/9, 2009I noticed last week that several FCC fines were announced against some of the larger radio groups. Don't take for granted that everything is taken care of.
I understand you have more duties than you can possibly do in your normal 13-hour work day, but at least spot-check the Public File, do a quick overview of your EEO practices, and for heaven's sake make sure you are set up and doing your regular emergency alert tests ... not to mention, your political file, political copy, lawyer ads, etc.
To quote Special Agent Oso on the Disney Channel, "It's all part of the plan ... more or less." I'll bet there aren't 10% of you who know who Special Agent Oso is. Just suffice it to say that he is a fine young fellow who has a real problem following directions. When he messes up he says, "It's all part of the plan ... more or less." "More or less" doesn't work for the FCC. Make sure it is all correct. If it isn't, it could mean your job, and there are lots of people out there who would be thrilled to know your position is vacant. Don't make it easy for them ... "more or less."
Wednesday 7/8, 2009For your reading pleasure, here are a couple more indicators that the economy has probably bottomed out"
1. Orders for factory goods made in the United States increased 1.2% in May, the highest since June 2008.
2. At the same time, pending sales of existing homes continued to tick up in May, rising 0.1% over the previous month and 6.7% above May 2008.
When you get into the numbers, a jump in transportation equipment was the big mover in factory goods. On the real estate front, entry-level buyers are absorbing existing home inventory. The U. S. government is offering an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers that they are using as all or part of a down payment. There are some other incentives being offered by some state and local governments. Get with your local realtor associations and find out what incentives are being offered and use them as thought starters for sales promotions.
It is important that you always look for this kind of news and spread it around to keep a positive attitude not only for yourself but also for those around you.
Tuesday 7/7, 2009There's a real battle shaping up in the "pony car" category between the Ford Mustang and the all new Chevy Camaro. In June, Camaro outsold the Mustang 9,320 to 7,362, marking the first time since 1993 that Camaro has come out on top. It's interesting to note that the statistics in 1993 were 10,985 Camaros and 5,680 Mustangs ... this June it was 9,320 Camaros and 7,362 Mustangs. When you add it up, it was a total of 16,665 cars in '93 and 16,682 this year ... a whopping 17 more Camaros and Mustangs this year.
Camaro is a completely new car after being out of production since the 2002 model year. Mustang will be completely restyled for 2010. Get close to your Chevy and Ford dealers immediately with great promotional ideas for these cars. It should be a huge fight with you coming out a winner.
Monday 7/6, 2009Here's a Joe GM educated crystal ball statement: The political advertising season for the 2010 elections is being planned right now and because of an event last week could start at any time. You absolutely MUST be well-connected to your local politicians and especially local activist groups. Your national rep firm needs to farm all its connections to try to find issue advertising.
What happened last week? In case you didn't notice, it looks like President Obama's honeymoon with the press ended. Some of the vets in the press room became put out by the White House Press Office's planting of pre-planned questions in a press conference. Even venerable (Webster definition: calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments...impressive by reason of age) Helen Thomas blew her stack: "What in the hell do they think we are, puppets? ... They ought to be hanging their heads in shame."
The conservatives are smelling blood in the water and the press is angry. It could be a perfect storm for an early beginning to the off-year election political advertising season. Comments?
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