We all need to make wise decisions in our personal and professional lives.
But not all businesses do that.
FREE ADVICE
I am amazed when a business hires consultants to advise them, when the information provided is available at no charge.
Yes, outside consultants are sometimes necessary; but when it comes to Crestview's traffic issues, defining an expanding market or just tweaking existing ideas, the company's employees and customers often have valuable feedback that is never drawn upon.
Why not tap into the opinions of those who know the business intimately?
I read this week that McDonald's doesn't know why their market share has dropped, thus affecting their profits.
Well, I could give McDonald's many reasons, but they'd probably rather pay millions of dollars to consultants.
Still, here is some free advice: Have healthier alternatives, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and serve breakfast all day.
UNDER-APPRECIATED WORKERS
One of my nieces works in customer service, and it astounds me how hard she works and how little she is appreciated. I mean the abuse she takes from customers and abuse the company heaps upon her if her "call time" is too long.
She is to make the customer happy in 14 minutes or less, but may not hang up until the situation is resolved. If the call time exceeds the arbitrary 14 minutes, she is written up for non-compliance.
All day long, she has to deal with irate and foul-mouthed customers — and this company wonders why their turn-over rate is so high.
Instead of using common sense and asking employees how to make the job better, they hired consultants.
Once the report was submitted, the company didn't like the results so they ignored their own consultants' advice!
THEIR OWN WORST ENEMY
The response to already stressed employees is to blame them, instead of cheering them for having happy customers.
Many businesses spend plenty of time training their employees, so why make the atmosphere so toxic and unpleasant that over 92 percent of their employees leave within six months?
I wonder when they will figure out that they are their own worst enemy.
Sometimes, we are also our own worst enemies in our personal decision making. I hope that we can take a step back and, when needed, rely on those closest to us to give feedback.
At times, our feelings may be hurt, but if our goal is to thrive — not just survive — in this life, we will become better people when we take needed advice.
"A man's counsel is sweet to his friend." Proverbs 27:9b
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Businesses need to make better decisions