The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Small things make a big difference

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Monday, Aug 04, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Small things make a big difference

Every one wants some appreciation. He might be big or small in status. When there is something wrong , the boss enters the picture. If everything is all right, how many employers bother to utter even a word of appreciation? But if the boss were to say you have done well, that is worth millions. That is the real motivating factor which can work wonders. Employers should realise that it is small things like words and gestures that can bring out the best in their staff, Vijay Mahagaonkar, an expert in “employees efficiency development” and President of the Brooklyn Business Success Inc., tells G. Satyamurty.

After 32 years of marketing, he switched over to human resource development. His presentation says: ‘If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a life time, educate a man.’

According to him, there is hardly any two-way interaction between the employers and the employees in most places. Employers also do require guidance.

Mr.Mahagaonkar first of all stresses the importance of one’s home atmosphere. “If there is no happiness at home, how will your employee work at office?.” Secondly, the sense of subservience, which is pretty obvious in the south, should go. “There are many companies where the employees cannot even talk to the boss”.

Every employee should be allowed to spend at least last half an hour with the employer. And every employee, before leaving the office, gives an indication of what he thinks, at least indirectly. “I call this exit policy". What is absolutely imperative in a work environment is "commitment", both on the part of the employers and the employees. “After all, great people are just ordinary people with great commitment”.

And if the boss were to back off with regard to an issue, the employees lose faith in the management. There is nothing sacrosanct in giving increment only annually. “This could be given even after a couple of months instead of making them wait for one whole year.” JRD Tata once said "no owner knows everything about business.” “Then are we not learning something from employees? Besides, the employer should realise that it is because of the employees the business flourishes. All depends upon the team".

Mr Mahagaonkar refers to the common dilemma of a boss. “Should I command to get the work done or should I co-operate and get the work done? How sure are you to get work done better?” He is certain both sides can improve if there were to be earnest co-operation. Every office faces issues like procrastination. Time management is of essence to development. Above all is job satisfaction.

He asserts training the employees should not be considered an expenditure but an investment.

He has an interesting incident to narrate how he could bring about a change even in the life of the prisoners in a jail in Mahrashtra. “My question to them was what you would do if you were to be released. You may not get a job if you were to disclose your antecedents. And in case you were to conceal the same and the employer were to come to know of it sometime, you will be thrown out of job. The ideal thing would be to have some sort of self-employment like TV mechanic, bicycle repairer, etc., wherein the people come to you and do not bother about your antecedents.” After all what they require is just Rs 200 per day for a living. If they are not able to earn it, it is quite likely they will go back to at least petty crimes. A number of industries are prepared to sponsor such training programmes. Apart from providing them a living, this could bring down the rate of petty crimes as well.

Mr.Mahagaonkar asserts there is no sense in the elders cribbing that the youngsters have no respect for them. The root cause for such behaviour is parents themselves. “Youngsters imbibe disrespect only from the activities of the elders because of their impressionable age. They tend to lose faith in their teachers and also parents because both of them are not steady to their text. The association or friendship comes only later which might influence them in teens.” When the children are not treated by their parents properly, how do you expect children to respect others?

For instance, when one’s mother is insulted by his father in his very presence, the child also tends to follow suit. “Why should you scold your spouse in front of the children?” He is categorical that parents are invariably adamant on various issues leading to friction in the families. This influences the children as well. What is imperative is proper interaction among the elders first of all, he concludes.

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