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| PART ONE |
... I GOT A JOB OFFER YESTERDAY!!!!
I would like you to share with me the things, from a business owner's perspective, that a new employee should/should not do to make sure that their new organization feels good about their new team member.....
I would like you to share with me the things, from a business owner's perspective, that a new employee should/should not do to make sure that their new organization feels good about their new team member.....
(For Tim's full email click list at right)
Tim in Troy
Dear Tim,
Congrats came yesterday, along with the "not-to-do" list (PART ONE) . Here is PART TWO, the TO DO LIST. These are some things that will help you gain favor quickly and blend with your new team. McCrabby could publish a list based upon his own employees, but it would probably result in a lawsuit, so we won't mention them here. OK, now on to the list.
TO - DOs so you won't LOSE - Your job...
1. Show up ten minutes early, just to make sure you're on time. Almost nothing is worse than arriving late in the first few days, weeks, etc., on a new job. If the job is 30-40 minutes away, leave an hour early, and get a cup of coffee when you get there; that way, if you have a flat, or some other problem, you still made it.
2. Keep you eyes and ears open. Find a problem and then look for a solution; now you're a solution-provider, and your value increases immediately. And, if that's one of your first impressions at this new job, it'll be your lasting impression. It's always great to make a strong early impression, because that early impression is often a lasting impression.
3. Compliment co-workers when they have a good idea. Temper this and don't go crazy with empty compliments, but when someone actually does something good, tell them. And to take this one step further, say thank you when someone helps you. McCrabby knows this is easy,
4. Smile. That's it, smile. It's contagious.
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| Just smile -- you'll feel better |
5. Do a job that's not your job. McCrabby can tell you if someone in his office had ever come in ten minutes early and shoveled the walk after a snow, he probably would have collapsed from the shock. But, oooooohhhhh, it would have been so appreciated. Think about that; if someone, ANYONE, at any time, would have taken the ten minutes to do a task like that, it would have been remembered for months, just the like the 99-cent coffee on the expense account was (see PART ONE -- #8).
6. Show respect and demonstrate trust. These people gave you a job in a tough economy. They deserve your respect, and have earned your trust. And, unless they prove they can't be trusted, trust them. McCrabby had the trust of almost all his employees when he ran his business. And, the feeling was that if his employees didn't trust him, and they had no reason not to, then maybe they couldn't be trusted. It turned out to be true. Trust begets trust.
7. Use common sense. You'll be surprised how uncommon it is. McCrabby once had an employee take his mail to the post office, so it would go out that day, yet left all the other mail in the office mail folder to be picked up the next day by our mail carrier. Hmmmmm.. And, McCrabby once had an employee ask if she could subscribe to a FREE trade magazine. Another employee said that it wasn't his job to put a toner cartridge in the fax machine, a task that would have taken less time than to tell McCrabby it isn't your job. And, it would have reaped better results for the employee.
8. Introduce your spouse to your managers soon. You're working for a woman-owned company, and it's probably good to get your spouse to stop by once (for lunch, or simply to come in and meet people where you work). You're working with women, you're working for women, and it's good if your wife gets to meet them soon, so she's not wondering what they're like and why you enjoy working there. While this may seem unnecessary, remember that your spouse has been your support, will continue to be your support, and you don't want to appear to be keeping anything from her. And, she'll probably enjoy being kept up to speed.
9. Be honest at work, but tactful. If your opinion is asked, you don't want to be a "yes-man: even though you want to be positive. So, if you agree, agree. If you have a different opinion, express it tactfully and respectfully. Management appreciates well-thought-out opinions. McCrabby had one employee who consistently said "I would have handled that the exact same way you did." While we doubted that, we would have much preferred to hear an honest opinion that maybe would have improved a process or enhanced sales.
10.Turn down a benefit. If you need a tool for your job, by all means, take it. But, if you're asked whether you need a $1000 desk, politely decline and offer that you can certainly do your work at the Office Depot desk that you'll have to assemble. McCrabby would have welcomed a business decision from a staff member that took into account the profitability of the company as much as the comfort of the employee. How refreshing, and once again, memorable.
McCrabby can be reached by email (mccrabby@humantransitions.com)
- McCrabby's LinkedIn -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacrae
- McCrabby's Support (group): http://lnkd.in/4TkF7_
- McCrabby's Twitter -- http://twitter.com/curtmacrae
- McCrabby's website -- www.humantransitions