Cory Diary : Investment in Personal Time

One of my team member's father passed away yesterday in his office. We were in shock as his father is only 53. The primary cause speculated was Work Related Stress. While we strives for higher income or financial independence, first rule of investment probably should be to make sure we can take care of our family and ourselves well. And this kind of capped our limit on how much we can push our goals. However we must never lose sight of healthy lifestyle. Investment in our own personal time is equally important.

Just recently my team scored above 90% in Company survey in overall key score on employee feedback on favorable responses. This is 6% above from last year and about 20% ahead in company average. I am pleased because we are in Best-in-Class Category. There are many questions asked in the survey but not all is used to compute the key measurement score. That's do not mean those questions asked that do not have the weight-age in it is not important but more due to relevancy. One of such question asked is Work Life Balance. We hit 96% Positive and remaining 4% above average on this one.

Some people maybe skeptical on such survey but based on my experience this gives management a good indication on where the company and teams are heading. And what we should focus on in the future to direct it. Happy Employees Happy Profits. Over the years my management style has changed on reflection of such surveys as well. This is my 15th I think. Every-time I look at newly promoted manager, deep in my heart i know it will take him a decade probably to catch up without mentor / guidance in people management because I saw it all.


Cheers

Cory
20180905

Cory Diary : Work Performance 2016

FY 2016 is another challenging year. Investment can be in Equity but it can be in Work too. The later rewards are more sustaining and bulk of most people income. And the achievement is mentally fulfilling.

After surviving the last retrenchment exercise, I have to bring over another team into my fold who just lose their manager. There are few things in my mind.

Prevent attrition (knowledge loss) in the new team and Business continuity

The risk is real because I have seen entire group turn over with new management change. This can bring serious trouble to the organization and set back the team experience a decade and process broken.

One of my first task is to make sure I do not favor my existing over the new. In fact I went overboard to give them much more attention. I changed my management style to be more easy going and fun. I will talk to them about Pokemon Go and Fallout Shelter. Both are great games by the way.

When come to difficult conversation with employees, I put things in the right perspective and direction on the poor performers without stressing them mentally while achieving business goals. And when dealing with my new team i have all my cards open.

I initiated a separate weekly meeting to handhold the new team on every issue. And provide guidance and discussion. Politics smoked out. Trust driven in.  A+ for that.

Cross Training within teams to support process alignment and efficiency

Not only I have greater responsibility but I have to deal with a smaller combined team strength by 25%. The only recourse is to drive for process alignment and simplification.

And to do it in the short time, I depends greatly on my existing senior employees to train and guide the new team members. They helped me a lot but this also drive some mistrust and ego with the new members later. I have to slowly phased the helps out once we have achieved the necessary goals. Is a B- ...

Continue the success of my existing team

At the same time the existing team bandwidth were tighten due to it and needing others members to step up and ensure performance continuity. One of my key employee left the team for career advancement which I am happy for her but she also left a hole behind to be filled. I have been working with each of my team member on their development and experiences continuously. Happy to say at the critical juncture everyone step-up to do their best especially those whom I have never expected.  This is an A.

For all of that, I am rewarded with a small adjustment and better bonus this year. There will be people glaring at this but this is not the top most in my mind. It was the RECOGNITION statements that i have been given on what my team have achieved that I feel is important. And that's how my FY 2016 ended.

I am honored to have this team. All my investment in them paid off. My wish for FY2017 is I can play a part for the team the same.

Cory

20161215