Your Source for Best Business Practices From the Trenches
December 2012
Review A Generous Spirit 3 ways to give to your team this holiday season
Under Pressure: A Costly Problem
5 ways to reduce workplace stress
Review Preview Your Source for Best Business Practices From the Trenches
Happy holidays Although the weather is not cooperating here in Nashville —no snow yet—you can still feel it in the air: It ’s Christmas time at Dave Ramsey’s headquarters. There’s lots of decorations, even more smiles, and tons of fudge and holiday cookies on what seems like every desk. The reason for all of these good tidings? Dave is the holiday’s biggest cheerleader. In addition, he’s one of the most generous people I know. I can confidently say that his giving is sincere and from his heart. And that spirit permeates our company. What’s awesome about this is that you can easily do the same. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Bless your team this holiday season with your time and creativity, then keep it going throughout the year. Being generous dramatically energizes your team, and it ’s fun to do! It shows that your company has a soul. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy, happy new year from all of us on the EntreLeadership team.
Daniel Tardy, Vice President, EntreLeadership
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EntreLeadership Review
Table of Contents
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Under Pressure: A Costly Problem 5 ways to reduce workplace stress
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Meet Jane DeLaney Her inspiration grew out of frustration
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Lessons From a Mastermind How to run your company Clark Griswold-style
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A Generous Spirit 3 ways to give to your team this holiday season
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Silence Is Golden How to kill the rumor mill
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Meet Arif Ganghi Leaving a legacy is his main goal
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Building a Great Company Culture You must be intentional. Great companies don’t just happen!
For more tools to grow your people, profits and personal development, check out our website.
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Under Pressure: A Costly Problem 5 ways to reduce workplace stress The Right Fit Have you ever been in a job that just wasn’t a good fit for you, but you tried to make it work anyway? It ’s miserable and nerve-wracking. The same holds true for your team members. If they’re not the perfect fit for a position, they’re going to dread coming to work. The end result will be that they won’t stick around long, whether it ’s their decision or yours.
As an employer, you want your team members healthy, happy and full of passion for what they do. It’s the best way for them to work at their peak and for everyone to win. Unfortunately, for more than one - quarter of A merican workers, being satisfied at work is anything but a reality. In a recent poll by the American Psychological Association, onethird of Americans are living with extreme stress. In 74% of respondents, the primary source of that anxiety was their jobs. In fact, workplace stress has become so prevalent in this age of layoffs and long work hours that this psychological condition has been nicknamed the Black Death of the 21st century. Okay, maybe the people who work in the office of official nicknames a re b e i n g a b it ove rd ra m at ic , but nevertheless, stress can be dangerous. It ’s been linked to:
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• Cardiovascular disease • Depression • Burnout
Jim Collins, author of G o o d to Great, says it’s as simple as making sure you have the right person in the right seat on the right bus. It allows everyone to do their best work. At Dave’s company, each prospective team member goes through at least four interviews. They are also required to take a personality test to make sure their style fits the job.
• Workplace injury • Back problems A l l of t he above compl icat ions le ad to ab sente ei sm , t u r nover, decrease d productiv ity a nd i n c re a s e d m e d i c a l , l e g a l a n d i n s u ra n c e e x p e n s e s . T h at , i n tu rn , stresses you out! T h e g o o d n e w s i s t h at yo u c a n l owe r t h e l e ve l o f a n x i e t y fo r your team members and yourself. As Dave teaches in EntreLeadership Master Series and in his new book, EntreLeadership, there are a nu m b e r of way s to ke e p you r te a m me m b e r s fa r away f rom freak-out mode. Here are a few to get you started.
“In a recent poll by the American Psychological Association, one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress. In 74% of respondents, the primary source of that anxiety was their jobs.” Your Team Matters Dave’s friend, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, wrote a wonderful book called T hou Shall P rosper. In it, he says God is inordinately pleased when we are obsessively, compulsively
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consumed with the needs of others. That’s an easy one to understand as far as your family, friends and customers go. But do you apply this principle to your own team members? Are you doing what ’s best for them? Love your team well. Treat them like family, and they will act like family.
Communication You know the old saying, “No news is good news”? It’s awesome if you want to build a culture of distrust and frustration. In fact, according to a Deloitte’s 2010 Ethics and Workplace poll, 46% of those surveyed cited a lack of transparent communication from their leadership as the main reason for dissatisfaction at work.
That’s why Dave requires each prospective team member to submit a personal bud get before they are hired. He wants to make sure they can live on what he is paying for the position. As a leader, he believes it ’s his job to serve his team well by making sure they can take care of their family and meet their obligations with what they are paid. A n additional sure -fire way to decrease money worries is by offering a financial wellness benefit. This program teaches your team member to take control of their money and make it work for them, eliminating financial stress.
of warning, though: Your compliment has to be sincere. Cheap flattery will get you nowhere. In fact, it demotivates instead of inspires. Making your company an awesome place to work, where stress is low and motivation is high, creates an atmosphere of winning for your team and the business. Then, you can kick that “Black Death” out of your office for good!
Action Steps 1. Implement a new hiring policy that includes several interviews and a meeting with spouses. 2 . Mark a date on your calendar to recognize team members. 3. Get everyone, from your leaders to your newest team members, together at least once a week in person or electronically for a staff meeting.
Communication is the lifeblood of an organization and the grease t h at ke e p s t h e g e a r s m ov i n g . Everyone feels better when they know what ’s happening . Make a habit of over-sha r i n g w it h you r team members, whether it’s good news or b ad . W hen t hey k now what ’s going on and what ’s being accompl i she d , t hey ’ l l fe el l i ke pa r t of t he tea m a nd t r u st t hei r leaders .
Financial Wellness
Recognize Them
Another leading cause of stress for your team members is personal financial problems. In fact, it’s the number-one reason workers lose focus and become less productive. Those who are in financial trouble spend up to 20 hours a month worrying about their problems while on the job.
People, no matter how young or old, yearn for recognition. Telling someone they are doing a good job can instantly put a smile on their face. Look for opportunities to brag on your people. Do it in front of others, especially those they care about, and it ’s three times as powerful. A word
For more tools to grow your people, profits and personal development, check out our website.
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Meet Jane DeLaney Her inspiration grew out of frustration my pa rents had on me a nd on the core of who I am as a person. They are rock solid . Character, integrity, godliness, wisdom, steadfast ne s s , love , g race , st ren g t h and dignity on ly b e g i n t he l i s t o f wh o t h e y were to me … and still are.
My Inspiration
What I Do I ’m fou nder a nd pre sident of E-Mealz, Inc., a budget-minded online meal planning service that features easy-to-follow shopping lists and recipes. We’re headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
How I Started My inspiration grew out of my frustration with the difficulty of pulling off dinner for my own family. One week would be semi-sane with a scribbled-down meal plan on a napkin lost in the bottom of my purse and the next would be sheer chaos. But I was committed to making my family life ordered around an evening meal, where everyone could decompress and come face-to-face with each other. There had to be an easier way.
My Mentor I have been influenced by many people, but no one comes near to matching the level of impact
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Without sou nd in g cliché , I a m i n spi re d by ou r g reat cou nt r y and the freedom we each have to create, pursue and succeed . I lo ok b ac k on t he e i g ht-ye a r business story of E-Mealz with profou nd g rat it ude —k now i n g t h at i n m a ny ot he r cou nt r ie s there simply would have been no such story.
“I was committed to making my family life ordered around an evening meal.”
Freedom has come to me on so many levels, and that inspires m e . T h e f a c t t h at I h ave n o t had to suffer personally for my f re e dom i s a s ac re d g i f t— one that has been handed to me by others who have suffered in my place. I was bought with a price when Christ gave His life for me. T h rou g h t he g r ie f a nd lo s s of every war fought and the loss of every A merican soldier, I have l i fe , l iber t y a nd t he pu rsu it of happiness today. For that, I am t h a n k f u l a nd i n s pi re d to l ive gratefully, fully and freely.
What I’m Reading Right Now All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg. It ’s a great book that was recommended as an all-time favorite by a very sharp young man who has freelanced his amazing talent and time for E-Mealz.
My Dream To simply see the strong growth of E-Mealz continue so that the overflow of its success spills over in powerful and compassionate ways to “the least of these.” We don’t have to look very far to find opportunities to give out of God’s goodness to us. I am a firm believer in doing the “obvious.” One “obvious” that God laid across my path has been the malnutrition and orphan epidemic that exists a short distance from our shores in Haiti. E-Mealz has partnered with a nutrition project feeding “medika mamba,” which means “peanut butter medicine” in Creole, to severely malnourished Haitian children and orphans. Seeing and touching one of these little ones is something I will never forget. Feeding families is core to our values as a company, and my dream is to see E-Mealz become a strong, compassionate presence in Haiti now and over time.
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Lessons From a Mastermind How to run your company Clark Griswold-style says, “ Nobody’s walking out on t h i s f u n , old-fa sh ione d fa m i ly Christmas.” When times are tough, do you freak out or try to come up with a solution? What are you doing to make sure your business stays on the forefront of your customers’ minds? Actions always speak louder than problems.
Generous to a Fault
Every year, starting right about now and running through the holidays, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be aired on some television station. It’s as predictable as the big-bearded, red-suited fat guy coming down your chimney on December 24. W h at ’s t he d raw of t h i s f i l m? D e s p ite b e i n g p o r t raye d a s a bumbling oaf, Clark Griswold is simply a genius. And the lessons he teaches—well, except for the rabid squirrel, exploding turkey and overloaded septic system— apply to not on ly ou r live s but also our businesses. He’s quite the EntreLeader—a man ahead of his time (and hopefully Cousin Eddie). Here’s why:
Never-Say-Die Attitude W hether trying to find the one bad bu lb on 2 5,000 Ch r ist mas lights or bringing home the ultimate Christmas tree, Clark has t he s t ic k-to -it ive ne s s t h at we shou ld a l l emu late . O r l i ke he
There’s an old saying that if you give a man a turkey, you have fed him for today. Teach a man that he won’t get one this holiday season, and you’ve made him angry for a lifetime. Okay, maybe it’s not quite the original adage, but you get the point. Your team plays a critical role in your success, so be generous. Whether it ’s through profit sharing, holiday gifts or bonuses, or simply giving them an extra day off, you’ll be paid back in loyalty, smiles and your own satisfaction. A spirit of generosity always wins the day. Membership in the Jelly of the Month Club may result in your kidnapping.
“There’s an old saying that if you give a man a turkey, you have fed him for today. Teach a man that he won’t get one this holiday season, and you’ve made him angry for a lifetime.”
A Great Storyteller Never one to let his feelings be unknown, Clark is an incredible communicator, especially when it comes to telling stories. And you should be too. As part of creating a culture of communication, you need to let your team members know the story and history of your company. Share with them your struggles and victories. The result will be new respect for the past plus renewed energy and creativity when they realize they are working on something bigger than them. So now that you’ve had a chance to bask in the genius that is Clark, there’s not much left to say except one of his favorite lines: “Merry Christmas, merry Christmas, merry Christmas.”
Action Steps 1. Don’t be a Grinch. If you haven’t yet, plan a Christmas party for your team. 2. Schedule a time before the end of the year to share your story with your team. 3. Watc h C hr i st ma s Vacat ion and enjoy!
For more tools to grow your people, profits and personal development, check out our website.
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A Generous Spirit 3 ways to give to your team this holiday season
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A Spirit of Generosity
If you ask a super successful business leader what they like most about running their own company, you might be surprised at the answer. It’s almost never about the money. Instead, it’s their ability to serve. “Being generous is the hallmark of people who live successful lives and who operate business with soul,” Dave says.
Do the sounds of Christmas make you giddy? Are you so full of holiday cheer that you could give Clark Griswold a run for his money? Well, there’s good reason for it. In study after study, it’s been proven that it is more blessed to give than receive. Simple acts of kindness and generosity can help your heart, relieve pain, and pump up your immune system. They’re also good business. By having a generous spirit toward those who help you win, success will naturally follow. You’ll be attracting and keeping extremely passionate, talented people who are willing to slay dragons right alongside you. So in the spirit of Christmas—the ultimate time of giving—we’re offering some ideas on how you can spread your blessings and help your heart too!
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Get Your Party On
With our economy still as sluggish as grandpa after a holiday dinner, companies are continuing to slash
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their budgets, including the office Christmas party. While understandable, you can still host a seasonal celebration while avoiding—no offense to Santa Claus—going into the red.
“In study after study, it’s been proven that it is more blessed to give than receive.”
When Dave first started his company, he couldn’t afford a massive shindig. Instead, his team gathered at his house for a potluck dinner. During the party, Dave called up each team member and shared what he liked most about them. It was touching and something everyone looked forward to each year. Today, the company Christmas party is legendary, with lavish gifts and five-star dining. But no matter how much time has passed, the early celebrations are still held in incredibly high regard and can move the longtime veterans to tears
So how can you help? Make sure your team is properly taken care of, including generous pay, incentives to win and sharing your products and services. Do you make the best spaghetti sauce in the country? Then your staff should have eaten so much, they’re sick of it.
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Lending a Helping Hand
Want to make your team members passionate about their jobs? Let them know they are doing work that matters. One of the easiest ways to do it is by getting involved in your community. Hold a fund-raiser for a local school or charity, give your team paid time off to lend a helping hand, or offer your products and services to those in need. With the new year close at hand, it’s time to make new goals, including putting line items of “generosity” in your budget for the next holiday season and throughout the year. Although it is an investment, it will be returned ten-fold. In other words, don’t be a Scrooge—because you’ll only lose.
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Silence Is Golden How to kill the rumor mill Set an Example The first step to shut down gossip is to take a look in the mirror. Are you guilty of talking negatively about someone on your team to another who is not one of your leaders? As the owner or leader of your company, your team watches everything you do and will naturally follow your example. Avoid impulse communication with them when you are angry or upset. Show them by your actions that gossip will not be tolerated by anyone at your company, including you. Forget t he e conomy, you r comp e t it io n o r e ve n co mp l ic ate d gover n ment reg u lat ion s . W hat may be harm in g you r company more t h a n a ny ot he r fac tor i s s o m e t h i n g t h at ’s s o co m m o nplace, you’re probably not aware of it s d a m a g i n g i mp ac t . We ’re ta l k i n g ab out of f ice gos sip. S o h ow p re va le nt i s n e g at ive ch at te r i n to d ay ’s bu s i ne s s e s? T he a n s we r m ay s u r pr i s e you . Ac co rd i n g to a re c e nt s u r ve y of compa ny exe cut ive s by T he C reat ive Group, a sta f f i n g f i r m , 8 4% s a id go s s ip i s com mon at t he work place . I n a not her p ol l by R a nd s t ad USA , go s s ip top s the list as the biggest workplace pet pe eve . Gossip has the power to divide and destroy everything you’ve built. It kills morale, unity, productivity and creativity, and it causes turnover. So if gossip is so detrimental, how do you stop it? Here are a few ways you can kill the rumor mill.
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Be Transparent One of the main causes of gossip at a company is lack of communication . People want to know what ’s going on and why. If they don’t know what ’s going on, fear, frustration and anger set in. That’s when the talk begins. Trust your team and avoid what Dave calls “ m u s h r o o m c o m m u n i c a t i o n ”: ke epi n g t hem i n t he da rk a nd feeding them manure. Create a culture of communication. When in doubt, always over-share —as long you’re not betraying confidences or crossing the gossip line.
Just Say No The easiest solution to stop negative talk is to create a no-gossip policy. Then, have a meeting and explain that if someone gossips, they’re risking their job. It ’s that serious. At Dave’s company, an offender is warned once. On the second infraction, they’re fired. The bottom line is that gossip is
a cancer, and sometimes the only way to keep it from spreading is to cut out the source. Before you can take any action, though, your team has to know exactly what constitutes gossip. Gossip, by definition, is saying something negative about anyone or anything to someone who can’t do anything about it. To keep it simple, use Dave’s company rule: Negatives go up, positives go down. He wants his team members to tell their leaders—not each other— about the bad stuff. The first step in creating a unified team is to stop the gossip. When you do, you’ll immediately see a difference as your team becomes more comfortable, a whole lot less frustrated and much happier. Before you know it, business will become fun again for everyone involved.
Action Steps 1. Schedule a 30-minute meeting with each team or department to discuss your new no-gossip policy. Your agenda should include the definition of gossip, when the no-gossip policy goes into effect, and actions that will be taken if a team member gossips. 2 . P ut you r no -go s s ip p ol ic y into place.
EntreLeadership Review
Meet Arif Ganghi Leaving a legacy is his main goal One obstacle people face is that they want to know their purpose before they get started pursuing it. I don’t think it works that way. I’m pretty sure that your purpose becomes more clear as you start moving … so get moving and you’ll figure it out.
The Secret to My Success
What I Do I ’m president and CEO of Neon Rain I nteractive, which is one of the top 10 web development firms in Denver, Colo.
“It includes changing the legacy of my family, our team members and anyone we encounter.” My Inspiration The Creator of the universe specifically created me, and I would hate to waste my creation by not pursuing my purpose in life. It includes changing the legacy of my family, our team members and anyone we encounter. As a family, we are inspired to leave others better off than when we first met them.
All you need is faith, family support, perseverance, hard work, discipline, risk-taking, leadership, more hard work, resolve, kindness, vision and thick skin. Practice all of these for several decades, and you’ll become an overnight success.
What I’m Reading Right Now We have a reading challenge in our family, and my goal is to read 24 books this year. I think I bit off a lot, but I’ll be close to my goal. At the moment, I’m reading The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M . Goldratt. I keep trying to read E nt reLeadership. Unfortunately, every time I buy a copy, I end up giving it away to someone starting a business. Maybe I should order in bulk.
forward. As we make mistakes, we’ll fix them and keep moving. Knowing it ’s okay to make mistakes is huge.
“I want to see thousands of generations of our family going forward blessed and blessing others.” My Dream To leave a legacy—financially, spiritually, physically, socially, etc. I want my great-grandkids to be able to point to my wife and our kids as agent s of cha n ge i n ou r fa m i ly t re e . I wa nt to se e t housands of generations of our family going forward blessed and blessi n g ot he rs . Pa r t of t h at d re a m include s helpin g others pu rsue t hei r d rea m s . My g ra ndpa rents a n d my p a re nt s c h a n g e d o u r fam ily tree. Now it ’s our turn to keep pushing things forward .
Favorite Dave Moment At EntreLeadership Master Series, I realized that everything Dave was teaching was from his own experience. He made a lot of mistakes in business, but he’s learned from each one and put in safeguards to keep them from happening again. I’m now even more determined that we will continue to move
For more tools to grow your people, profits and personal development, check out our website.
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Building a Great Company Culture You must be intentional. Great companies don’t just happen! I t m ay s e e m c o s t ly, b u t it increases morale, gives some o f t h e b u s i e r wo rke r s t h e opportunity to “snack through lunch” and continue working, a nd helps u s fe el a sen se of loya lt y to ou r job s . —Christy
If you are searching for the biggest ROI, look no further than your sales floor. By investing in your team, you’re creating a place where people love to work, are passionate about their jobs, and make excellence a never-ending, everyday quest. So how do you go about crafting this kind of culture? We asked Dave’s Facebook fans, both business owners and team members alike, to share what makes their companies great places to work. Here are some of their answers. 1. I work for a school district in Missouri. Our central office has Sonic drinks for the entire staff delivered to our school once a month. —Ashley 2 . My company has a bucket-list program. We get to learn our team’s personal goals and help them achieve them. We allow paid work time to make the list and discuss it. Successes include home ownership, debt reduction, half marathons and
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many, many more dreams. By helping our employees get their personal lives in line, we help them be more productive while they are at work! —Kristy 3. We let our team members work from home, when possible, to help save on the costs of fuel and daycare. —John 4 . We have a RAVE (Recognizing a Valued Employee) committee that organizes things like potlucks, fun dress-up days (pajamas, sports jerseys) and other events. Companywide, we ’ re o f fe re d e i g ht h o u r s paid time to volunteer in our communities. —Sara 5 . My company pays for monthly running events (5K, 10K, etc.) to keep their employees healthy. —Michael 6 . My work provides free drinks and snacks for all employees.
7. During the summer, our staff only works half days on Fridays. We g e t vo u c h e r s fo r l o c a l spor ts tea m s a nd work w it h lo ca l bu s i ne s s e s for p e rk s/ d i scou nt s for employe e s . A 20% discount at a restaurant doesn’t hurt the restaurant ’s bottom line, and it gives major good v ib e s to a n employer! —Chas 8. On Fridays, my assistant principal gives every staff member a full-sized candy bar with a note telling us we are appreciated, did a good job, etc. There have been many weeks when it has been the highlight. —Tony 9. We offer free fruit, soft drinks a nd p op cor n , lot te r y d rawings for free tickets to various sporting and theatre events, and an onsite spa and lounge. —Steven
“By helping our employees get their personal lives in line, we help them be more productive while they are at work!”
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10. When working for a retail store, my manager wanted to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. O ne C h r i s t m a s s e a s on , he decided to hire a karaoke DJ to perform during our busiest hours. The store manager, assistant managers, associates and customers were up there singing. It was entertaining and put the cashiers in a good mood, plus the proceeds from sales were going to a very worthy cause. —Nicole
t he com mu n it y. T hey eve n devote t he e nt i re mont h of Ju ne to volu nte er i n g . —Sharon 1 3 . My husband works for a small IT services company. A fter meeting an annual sales goal,
“During the summer, our staff only works half days on Fridays.”
1 1 . At my company, each employee is able to send a recog n ition award to a co-worker who went above and beyond. Depending on your level in the company, you are able to give $40 –200 to t he m , wh ic h i s adde d to t hei r nex t payche ck . —Greta
his company sent everyone and their spouses for a weekend at a resort in Jamaica. Everyone who was employed there by July 2011 was included, regardless of job description. It was an awesome reward for a year of hard work and long hours. —Becky
1 2 . I re ce nt ly le f t my job to b e home w it h my c h i ld re n . It wa s a j o b t h at I love d a n d hope to return to one day. The compa ny a l lowe d me to use my work time to volunteer in
14 . I work for a major airline. On Valentine’s Day, our station manager arranged and paid for a masseuse and a beautician. We got free haircuts and massages. Every month, the company gives each employee a day off with pay. So once a month, we have three-day weekends! —Kimberly 15. We offer each of our employees the opportunity to attend Financial Peace University at the company’s expense, including paying for their time in class, and a $600 bonus if their spouse wants to follow along at home on DVD (to resolve any childcare issues). A lso,
we have rewritten our mission statement to reflect our Christcentered beliefs about how customers should be treated and made this a mandatory part of how our employees will treat our customers. —Wayne 16. I have a friend who just started a new job. The company gives their employees an extra week off each year and either $2,000 for themselves or $5,000 for their family to go on a mission trip! —Teresa 17. For every day that no staff members are absent, our prin-
“The company allowed me to use my work time to volunteer in the community.” cipal gives each of us a “jeans pass.” Teachers will do anything to get to come to school in jeans! These passes are like gold! —Patricia 18. My company offers heavily subsidized vending machines; most of the snacks and drinks are free. —Bruce
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Join Dave and his team at the offices
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