Nine Ideas in Search of a (Cafe) Blog Post

Editor's Note:  Last Thursday, Seth Godin posted nine ideas in search of a blog post.  Really, eight ideas and a plug for an upcoming event.  It was immediately obvious to us that this collection was dropped out for the sole and exclusive use of the Compensation Café.  I mean, what other top talent management blog has exactly one editor and eight co-authors, hmmm?  Clearly, we noted, he was hoping we’d pick up on the hint, but was too insecure to approach us directly.  Never mind.  Collectively, fearlessly, we rose to the occasion.

And so for your reading pleasure, we present our response to Mr. Godin’s nine eight ideas … with (naturally) a caffeinated compensation twist.

“Loud and angry doesn’t make you right. It just means that you are loud and angry.” Seth Godin

Those who rely on their title, or voice, or other demonstrable gimmicks rarely gain an audience any other way.  It’s like a parent who, at the end of their patience, blurts out to misbehaving kids, “Because I said so.”

Is that who you work for?  How much respect do you have for them, personally or professionally?  Chances are you don’t.  If they had something useful to say, something important, or even reasonable, they wouldn’t be shouting.

Leadership isn’t about shouting.  Bullying is.  Chuck Csizmar

 “Sore muscles mysteriously respond to being soaked in a warm bath of water mixed with Epsom salt.” Seth Godin

Sore muscles usually mean overwork.  In today’s world there are employees who are doing their own job plus the ones left over from company lay-offs one to four years ago. These “sore muscles” are long overdue for recognition. Little things like massage or any other good thing your company can offer them.  How about it?  Jacque Vilet

‘"Everything will be alright" is not the same as "everything will stay the same."’ Seth Godin

Lately, news headlines are rife with stories of mergers and acquisitions – possibly one of the scariest prospects in an employee’s career. Too often leaders and managers try to calm employee fears with “everything will be all right,” which employees naturally interpret as “my job will be fine and everything will stay the same.” That’s simply not true. A more honest message is called for. Something like, “Roles and positions will change but we will continue to demonstrate our values of respect and innovation in pursuit of our new strategic mission.” Derek Irvine

“If you grow up in a town with sidewalks, a suburb without them seems somehow wrong. Design instinct is cultural, not genetic.” Seth Godin

Think about the mix of base salary versus variable incentive pay. In cultures that encourage risk-taking and value individualism - like the US - a mix heavy on incentive pay can work. But in cultures that tend to avoid uncertainty and place a higher value on collectivism, the same mix may be seen as unfair. Your pay mix needs to reflect the societal perception of sidewalks . . . I mean fairness. Stephanie Thomas

“I wish more people would read this post about spam and bcc email.” Seth Godin

Before you send another all-company email out and bury them even deeper in HR stuff, consider these reality checks. Would you pay 45 cents postage for each copy sent? If the answer’s no, you’re making yourself a nuisance. Is the email coming from a real person? If they hit reply, will they be able to send an email back? If the answer’s no, why would they believe or care about what’s in the email? And above all, when you need to apologize about a communication (length, timing, clarity) -- it’s HR spam. Margaret O’Hanlon

“An interesting milestone in US politics: more and more people don't even like the Congress members they agree with.” Seth Godin

Since the 2008 downturn, getting employees to "like" us by addressing engagement, culture and work-life balance has been put on the back burner. As compensation professionals, we can avoid the same mistakes many politicians are currently making. Avoid focusing exclusively on money (economy, taxes, social assistance) while making unpopular decisions. All the money in world won't keep people from leaving once things turn around, but a great corporate environment just might do the trick.  Dan Walter

“One of the cheapest ways to have fun and save money is to check the air pressure in your car tires. Okay, maybe not fun, but still.” Seth Godin

The real action in compensation is always where the rubber meets the road. Do the ones who carry the organization on their backs get the proper care and feeding? Just as regular sensible preventive maintenance avoids many an auto crisis, constant checks and regular SMARTER goal management permits appropriate rewards and consequences in a total rewards framework.  Jim Brennan

“The pet supply store near my house now has a bakery section. It’s either the end of civilization or the beginning.” Seth Godin

If you run out of kitty litter at 6 a.m., you’ll have no time to breakfast properly before dashing over to the pet story to deal with your pet emergency.  Having a bakery right there to provide immediate gratification is the height of civilized convenience, especially if they do a good latte and carry the litter out to your car for you so you can start eating your scone while your coffee’s still hot. Throw in a Coach, Whole Foods, Pottery Barn and Body Shop, with a Target down the street, and you’ve got the equivalent of a perfectly balanced total rewards package.  Laura Schroeder

And by the way, Compensation Café readers, note that Seth Godin is hosting a public event in New York City on May 16th. Registration opens April 16th along with more details.

Special thanks to Margaret O’Hanlon, whose dare to the group (that will teach you, Margaret!) got the ball rolling, and who took the lead in collecting, editing and organizing our thoughts. 

Image courtesy of ideas2deals.typepad.com

Comments

[Petbaker]

You realize that's a pet food bakery, right?

[Chad]

My first thought on the pet store/bakery was more about people taking up second jobs to make up for the pay they aren't getting from their first ones. That or they are looking to create their own intrinsic rewards by combining things they are passionate about.