29 October 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
When two or more people are assembled for a common purpose, they are said to be a team. How well each member of the team does his or her job will determine how successful that team will be.
Proper teamwork is everyone pulling together, doing more than his share, helping the other guy if he stumbles. Individual records and accomplishments must be secondary to the importance and success of the team.
When the team succeeds, every member of the team benefits. When the team fails, every member loses.
Questions for Reflection:
Think about your job. What is your team? Who are its members?
What is your common goal?
What is your part in the team? Are you a weak link, or a strong link?
#37
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15 October 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Pay is what the company promised you for doing your job.
Gross Pay is the dollars arrived at by multiplying the agreed on rate times the hours or period of time performed. It may also include commissions, premium for overtime or holidays, bonus or profit sharing dollars.
Net Pay is the amount left and which you receive in the form of cash, paycheck or automatic deposit after subtracting from the Gross Pay deductions required by law such as income taxes (Federal, State and Local), Social Security Tax (FICA) and voluntary deductions such as savings bonds, credit unions, group insurance, union dues, etc.
Extra Activity:
Look at your paycheck, and break it down. How much of your Gross Pay do you keep, as a percentage? Where does that other money go?
You should know what your Gross Pay is. Figure out how much is taken out as tax, insurance, and other deductions. This is your Net Pay. Now divide that by the number of hours you worked in that pay period. How much is your hourly Net Pay?
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01 October 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
–George Santayana
This is a famous quote that many remember, though there are different versions floating around. Many think it only applies to remembering strategies of war or politics in ages long past, however it is completely applicable to your modern business strategy as well.
Maybe history bores you, because you feel that “studying history” means long nights pouring over the national borders, epic battles, and World leaders from hundreds of years ago.
However, “studying history” can also be as simple as going over last year’s sales in your own company, and figuring out what went right, and what went wrong.
What is your small business’ history? To get started, you may have to look over the last few years (as far as you reliably can), to find the trends. The following examples should help illustrate the kinds of things you should be looking for:
- Do you know the sales trends of the last five years in your company?
- Which year had the highest payroll? The lowest payroll? What was different those years that may have caused that?
- Any significant cuts or increases in marketing? How did it affect sales?
- What has your average purchase order looked like? Any years with significant deviation? Why?
These are but a few examples. I’m sure you can think of many more.
The important thing to take away from this exercise is to find the cause and effect of certain actions. How your business did in the past under certain conditions will help inform your decisions in the present, and in the future.
After all, if you cannot remember the past, you will be condemned to repeat it.
#35
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17 September 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Is your business flatlining?
Hutar Growth Management Institute is an expert in the field of bringing flagging businesses back to life.
Most companies aren’t experiencing the kind of unparalleled growth that they should- sales are limp, procedures need tweaking, and hidden waste strangles profit. Most companies aren’t seeing the kind of successes they were ten, or even five years ago. You don’t have to be that business! You can grow while others are flatlining.
HGMI uses Laddie Hutar’s time-tested, top-of-the-line business methodologies to grow your sales, help create efficient procedures, and minimize hidden waste.
It’s time to use the tools and methods that HGMI has been honing for over 45 years. Give us a call today at 847-724-1910 to get started!
#34
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03 September 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Procedure is a traditional or established step-by-step way of doing things.
Every company has procedures that must be followed by its employees.
You can be the very best in a particular skill, but the procedures to
be followed in using that skill are as set up by management. It is
the company’s way of doing things and may be published in the company
policy or operating manual, or may be given to you verbally.
Generally they have evolved over a period of time as the best way to
get specific things done. However given to you, it is your job to
follow them… you are a member of the team.
Questions for Reflection:
What procedures do you follow in your job?
If certain procedures can be improved, how can you make a recommendation to management?
How does following procedure make your job easier?
#33
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13 August 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
What are your distractions?
Too much tv? Video games? Surfing the web? Sports? Music?
These are all things that could potentially rob you of your future goals. Many times we overlook the every day distractions that hurt us in our quest for fulfilling our Outstanding Success Plan (OSP). Entertainment is fun, and sometimes a necessary part of your life- but all of these activities are someone else’s agenda. You need to know your agenda, and make the adjustments necessary to keep on it. Evolution, not revolution, is the name of the game. To stay on your OSP agenda, it is not necessary to throw your life into complete upheaval. Small daily adjustments will help keep you on the path to Little Daily Victories.
When these other distracting forces, people, or companies, get your attention, they win and you lose- you are not on your OSP agenda. The first step is realizing this. Simply understanding that you are under constant pressure to conform to others’ plans and agendas from advertising, entertainment, meetings, and conversations will put you ahead of the game; but that’s not the end of the story. You still have to make sure you put your agenda and your goals ahead of others’ in your life. The question is- what are you going to do about it now?
Questions for Reflection:
What are your distractions?
Where can you identify others promoting their agenda in your life?
How can you stay on your OSP agenda?
#32
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30 July 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Management Styles
are the methods or means that managers use to get others to do what needs to be done. The authoritative boss will give orders- do this – do that- move it there; he will not allow questions – do it my way; he is a very strict disciplinarian – the rules must be followed without exception. The participative leader uses a “let’s do it this way” approach; will request instead of order; shows how to do it; tells why it must be done; is open to suggestions; he realizes that rules are a guide and allows exceptions when circumstances so indicate.There are very few bosses who are 100 percent either way, but will use some of both styles. The good manager knows his people and which style works best with each worker. No matter what his style is, his main responsibility remains the same: to obtain effective performance and production.
Questions for Reflection:
What management styles do you deal with on a daily basis?
What management style would you consider yourself? What about your boss?
Which management style might evoke the most victories?
#31
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16 July 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Today, we are giving
another term from our book, “How to Understand Your Job Better:
Hutar Job and Business Terms,” available for sale here
on the website.
Responsibility
Responsibility is being accountable and answerable to some higher authority for your actions and performance of assigned duties. As your responsibilities are increased, you become accountable for the actions and duties of others who answer to you. Everyone who has a job has agreed to accept the responsibility to do that job to the best of his ability. The responsible individual is productive, punctual, reliable, competent and honest. He will be on time, can be counted on to do what is expected and will give full value for his pay. He realizes that his greatest responsibility is to himself.
Questions for Reflection:
What is your responsibility to your employer? Your family? Yourself?
Are others accountable to you?
What does your boss feel your responsibilities are? Do you meet them?
#30
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02 July 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Today, we are giving
another term from our book, “How to Understand Your Job Better:
Hutar Job and Business Terms,” available for sale here
on the website.
Pride
Pride is that good feeling you get when you know and can boast that you are working for a good company; that the products they make and/or sell are high quality and reasonably priced; that you have good fellow workers and bosses. Pride is shown in the way that you do your job; how you talk to customers; the care that you take when filling orders; the way that you keep your work station and personal appearance neat and clean. This kind of pride is a proper positive mental attitude.
Questions for Reflection:
Do you have pride for your job? For your employer?
Are you proud of what you do?
If you know a co-worker or employee that does not have company pride, how can you help them achieve it?
#29
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11 June 2013
by Laddie F. Hutar
Today, we are giving
another term from our book, “How to Understand Your Job Better:
Hutar Job and Business Terms,” available for sale here
on the website.
Overtime
Overtime is time worked beyond that which is considered to be a normal work period. Overtime is usually all hours worked over or beyond 40 hours per week, and calls for extra pay, most often for 1 1/2 times the hourly rate. Overtime can also be taking more time to do a job than has been allowed or that it should take even though such time does not go beyond the normal work period. When done intentionally, this stretching out of a job is morally wrong and is cheating. It cheats you as well as your company and fellow workers. It increases the cost of the project. If the product becomes too high priced it will not sell and the company may be forced to go out of business.
Questions for Reflection:
If you are an employee of a company, how does overtime affect you?
If you are a CUSTOMER of a company, how does that company’s overtime pay affect you?
Is overtime pay for overtime work a job perk, or an obstacle?
#28
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