SME’s Lean-focused e-newsletter, LeanDirections published Adam Zak’s article about executive and employee engagement and retention in their February, 2009 edition. If you’ve not already had a chance to read this, you might take a peek over at LeanDirections.
The first LeanConnections in July launched with a single article dedicated to “Respect for People.” It was well received and sparked many thoughtful comments from our readers. Today, in the face of harrowing financial news and pressures on staff and leadership, many of the points addressed previously resurface in this issue where we tackle the dual challenges of retention and engagement of employees. Challenges which may be infinitely more important to address during this economic slowdown. Because if we truly believe that people are indeed our most important asset, the next 12-24 months or so are going to give us ample opportunity to clearly demonstrate that belief.
(Read full article from December, 2008 issue of LeanConnections.)
At Lean industry conferences in North America, Europe and Asia; in casual phone calls with top management and potential recruits; or in formal presentations to client companies, I keep hearing so many executives tell me that employees are their most important assets. That their organizations strive to become “the employers of choice” in their industries. And that respecting people and inspiring workers to do great things is the true mission of management at every level in the organization.
To paraphrase a popular quote, I believe that the road to failure is paved with misconceptions about engaging employees and motivating them to embrace the Lean aspirations of an enterprise. That’s why I am dedicating this first issue of Lean Connections to this crucial subject.
(Read full article from July, 2008 inaugural issue of LeanConnections.)
