Get your employees involved with transparency
Lately, as I am sure you all know, things in Greece are not booming. Families are finding it difficult to reach the end of the month and businesses are struggling too.
A friend of mine, working for a catering company, here in Greece, was telling me how their main competitor had recently closed down the business. His company (where he works) is having difficulties also, as corporate clients are cutting down on events and private parties as going for less expensive options. They are struggling to the point where the company is letting people go, causing various employees to start leaving in search of a more “in theory” secure job. Imagine being the business owner watching your people abandon in times when jobs are scarce. What have I done wrong? he must be asking himself…..
Answer: your employees are just not engaged and they do not feel part of the same project.
Transparency is essential. I believe numbers should be shared openly with all employees if you want them to be engaged. Shared during bouyant times and shared when the company is going through a low in sales. Everyone needs to understand the costs involved in running the business and what is the company’s net profit at the end of the day. The better understanding they all have, the easier they will understand when you ask them for a sacrifice, when you ask them to hang in there. They know the numbers and they can see this extra effort is needed.
Transparency is essential. And you need to get everyone involved, absolutely all of them, from the administrative staff to middle management all they way to the top. Everyone has to feel that they have a common objective. You shouldn’t create class structures within a company if you want the right culture to grow.
The same way as you will ask for that extra commitment during hard times, you will compensate in times of growth, all of them. Not only management or sales teams, they all need to feel it.
Going back to the example of my friend’s catering company, a small company around 50/60 employees, do you think the situation would be different in you had all of them engaged since day one?
Image source: www.sxc.hu
You should know when to quit
Knowing when to quit is so important and still some people do not even contemplate the option.
Whatever you do in life, whether in business or not, it is essential not to give up on your dreams. To pursue that great job you want, to try and reach financial freedom, to buy that dream house you always wanted.
As an entrepreneur it works the same way, you need to be stronger than the rest and not be afraid of failure. Get up the next morning and keep on going with the same passion as the first day.
All that is true and necessary, but don’t be blinded by it and learn when to quit!
I personally started various online projects, some with more success than others, but I have always pulled the plug when I feel I cannot pay the attention necessary to the business or I simple realise it is not going to happen. It is not a nice feeling after investing your money and time, however I prefer to cut the losses and focus on something else.
This subject has come up during a conversation I had with my wife last night. We were actually commenting on a couple we see every summer. They have a printing business and every time it is the same story, things are not going well, the economy is bad, etc. May it all be true, but you cannot go through all that for 3/4 years and not realise that something is wrong with your business. Maybe you are not capable of finding new clients or there is simply too much competition, but…
Don’t you think you should just quit the business and do something else?
I understand its not easy, you have been doing it for years and you have the skills. However the point is that it is not working any more. Even worse, both of them work in the same business. So basically all the family income depends on it. It is a shame.
The best advice you can give: quit, cut your losses and find a new path.
image source: Google images
Vinissimus.com
vinissimus.com
A great selection of Spanish wines delivered directly to your door in Greece.
As you may know I grew up in Spain, Cadiz to be more precise. I really enjoy Spanish wines, but since I live in Greece I find it very difficult to get used to Greek red wines.
Don’t get me wrong! (this is for my Greek friends) I don’t judge if they are better or worse, for me, they are just different from what I am used to. Also, here in Greece the options for Spanish wines are few and overpriced.
Fortunately, about a month a go, I visited a friend for lunch and he laid on the table a bottle of PSI 2007, and excellent Ribera del Duero from the producers of the famous Pingus wines. I asked him where he got it from and he mentioned Vinissimus.com a Spanish wine store specialising in internet sales.
Wow, I couldn’t believe it, there I was checking on my Iphone the online store and their selection of wines. As Christmas was approaching, a few days later, I decided to join their club and get sent to Athens their Christmas selection, composed of:
- Michel Arnould Brut Réserve Grand Cru (2 bottles)
- Foss Marai Cuvée Brut (Italy) (2 bottles)
- Wittmann Cuvée Brut 2002 (Germany) (1 bottle)
- Vall Dolina Reserva Brut Nature (1 bottle)
The price for that selection was 86.88 € and 24.26 € for delivery costs to Greece of 6 bottles. (the delivery cost for 12 bottles to Greece is 29.94 €)
The Michel Arnould was amazing and the rest were also good, but definitely I am repeating with Michel Arnould.
Prices are really good, if you think that I could have ordered Veuve Clicquot Brut Carte Jaune for 34.60 € when the average price in a Greek supermarket is 46.00 €.
Why am I sharing this with you:
- If you like Spanish wines it is a great way to enjoy the ones you already know and discover new, unknown wines.
- Prices are really good.
- The site is in Spanish, English, French and Italian.
- Good customer service. If you receive any damaged bottles they say the will replace them. (it did not happen to me.)
I want to clarify that I am not being paid by vinissimus.com for this post, I am just sharing this with you because I am a satisfied customer and I believe that we all should make and effort to share a good online experience.
If any of you actually try them out, please let me know your opinion.