Latest Management Articles

Google's Business Management Principles

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:31:08 -0400

The principles of business management that undergird Google’s success aren’t magical – but they are very real and compelling. They include an unrelenting focus on:

Their noble passion
Alignment with their greatest talents
Finding economic opportunities that can sustain but never compromise their noble passions
Continuously seeking to provide the greatest contributions possible to the end users
Focusing on perfection, especially in the area of search
Believing deeply in democracy and the good it can do
Seeking to develop a fun, innovative, passionate and deeply respectful culture

Background

Larry Page and Servey Brin were brilliant not only with their technology solutions, but in how they found where they could make an important contribution, knew their competition, realized their strengths and addressed their weaknesses, and in time developed a compelling business model. This article doesn’t address the strategic reasons for Google’s success, which are compelling and merits attention. Rather, this article focuses on the principles of business management that are foundational to Google's success.

Larry Page and Servey Brin, the co-founders of Google, were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Larry observed on the web how unproductive it was to just follow one link from one webpage to another. He thought it would be help to know who was linking to whom on the web. Larry decided to try and count and qualify backlinks on the web.

Larry's objective intrigued Brin. Brin was a brilliant mathematician. The two developed a good friendship and eventually joined forces. In 1998, they literally started working in a garage with just 8 employees. The evolution and history of the Google Inc. is fascinating and you can learn more by visiting Google Corporate History - Principles of Business Management .

Jim Collins

To understand what ultimately lead to Google’s success, let’s review key concepts that Jim Collins shared in his book “Good to Great.” Jim led a team in a five-year study in which he and his team "scoured a list of 1,435 established companies to find every extraordinary case that made a leap from average results to great results.”

Jim's team came to simple but powerful conclusions. One important point they make is referred to as the “hedgehog” concept. A key to greatness is finding the intersection, referred to as the sweet spot, between your talent, passion, and economic opportunity. Jim’s diagram below helps to illustrate these points.

When we look at Google from the “hedgehog” framework, here’s what important principles of business management we see:

Passion: What are you deeply passion about?

Most businesses are focused on making money first. Is money a strong enough motivator to create tremendous value to customers? Google’s passion is to make all information in the world instantly available to everyone. They envision how that focus will facilitate important breakthroughs in countless areas.

Talent: What you can be the best in the world?

“We do search. With one of the world's largest research groups focused exclusively on solving search problems, we know what we do well, and how we could do it better.“ (Google’s philosophy statement)

Economics: What drives your economic engine? In other words, how can you focus on your passions and talents and make a living?

Google found its economic engine in search coupled with advertising. Google’s revenue for 2009 was $23,650,563,000.00 dollars

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GOOGLE’S PHILOSPHY STATEMENT

Highlights of Google’s philosophy statement provide us important insights into their principles of business management:

Focusing on the end user

“Since the beginning, we've focused on providing the best user experience possible. Whether we're designing a new Internet browser or a new tweak to the look of the homepage, we take great care to ensure that they will ultimately serve you, rather than our own internal goal or bottom line.”

Seeking to develop the perfect search engine

“We do search. With one of the world's largest research groups focused exclusively on solving search problems, we know what we do well, and how we could do it better.“

Democracy on web

“Google search works because it relies on the millions of individuals posting links on websites to help determine which other sites offer content of value. We assess the importance of every web page…”

Fun culture

“Our founders built Google around the idea that work should be challenging, and the challenge should be fun. We believe that great, creative things are more likely to happen with the right company culture….There is an emphasis on team achievements and pride in individual accomplishments that contribute to our overall success. “

Article-Advantage of HAZWOPER Courses

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:27:11 -0400

Have you ever experienced any such accident that happened at hazardous working site? Employees many times face serious accidents at their working site that makes them handicap for entire life and have to live a very poor and horrible life afterward. The advantage of HAZWOPER courses lies in the knowledge, tips and suggestions that are offered to the employees by the HAZWOPER training courses. These courses can sure save you from any kind of hazards that may occur at hazardous working site. The possibility of accidents at hazardous site is high as workers there have to expose to hazardous materials, and equipment. That is why there is great necessary of HAZWOPER training courses for the workers. If workers and their employers take proper protection at their working site, then the risk of such accidents, deaths, and injuries will definitely be reduced. HAZWOPER is a kind of safety training which is designed for the workers working at hazardous conditions and sites to ensure their safety and enhancing the working site environment. The courses offered by HAZWOPER are:

40 hour HAZWOPER training
24 hour HAZWOPER training
8hour annual HAZWOPER refresher training and
HAZWOPER first responder awareness training

40 hour HAZWOPER training: This 40 hour HAZWOPER training course is provided for the workers who are involved in emergency response operations, hazardous waste substance, clean-up operations, and disposal of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. They are trained to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals used while working.

24 hour HAZWOPER training: This course can protect the workers who work in an uncontrolled hazardous waste operations. The courses have great value as they are broadly concern with the issues of hazardous workplace.

8hour annual HAZWOPER refresher training: The 8hour annual refresher course meets all the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. and are designed for the workers who work at hazardous site. The workers who are exposed to hazardous substance and hazardous waste also require this course. This course includes the topics: HAZWOPER regulations, hazardous chemicals, safety and health plans, respiratory equipment, air monitoring safety and health plans, decontamination, and site control.

HAZWOPER first responder awareness training: Those who witness a hazardous material leak can save all other people or workers at that site by informing the authorities. How to inform, why, whom, where to inform about the leak or any other hazard that is going to be occur – all these are very systematically taught by the first responder awareness training.

These are the advantages of HAZWOPER courses that can make you confident, successful and keep you safe.

Importance of Safety at Workplace!

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:20:49 -0400

It is a job and fair responsibility of any employer to make sure their worker or employees at workplace are free from any kind of risks and accidents. He must follow the courses offered by OSHA to reduce the fatal injuries that take place at the work sites.

To undergo safety training courses have become compulsory to all the workers who are working at hazardous places to educate them and make them aware about the hazardous chemical and large machines and tools being widely used in industries. These safety training courses include the subjects that are beneficial for workers to take care of themselves while working which includes; how to deal with the hazardous chemicals, regarding personal equipment and more.

The most important reasons for taking the safety course is to educate the workers to perform task safely, reducing and avoiding the risk of danger and also to increase the awareness of safe environment among all employees of an industry.

OSHA’s aim to avoid the fatalities and life taking accidents that take place in the industries have applied safety rules and regulations on both the employer and employees which has to be followed strictly. OSHA strongly believes that an effective and properly followed >OSHA safety training courses and programs can help to reduce the vast amount of damages taking place in just a single accident like- property damage, human damage, financial loss etc.

To take safety measures at workplace is very critical part of any work environment; there are many people who fail to understand the seriousness and are hardly interested in undertaking such safety courses. Though safety is compulsory and is essential, it is sometimes impossible to make the employees sit and train them to follow safety procedures all the time. So, it is the duty of employers to make their employees aware about such courses which are offered by OSHA and encourage them to undertake the training courses.

Every worker while at work should keep an eye on any unsafe or hazardous conditions that are prevailing at the workplace and quickly report such condition to their employer to take certain action. Workplace safety violations are punishable and it’s high to know the importance of workplace safety and to undertake courses.

For the convenience of workers, OSHA affiliated Safety Training courses are available online now. So the workers can undergo course sessions according to their own time and do not necessarily need to travel to any traditional classroom to get attended.

Benefits of 40,24 And 8 Hour HAZWOPER Training

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:18:28 -0400

Before discussing the benefits of the HAZWOPER Training, let us give a birds' eye view to all the 5 types of hazardous waste operations that are included in HAZWOPER. HAZWOPER includes in its list: clean-up operations, corrective actions involving clean-up operations, voluntary clean-up operations, operations involving hazardous waste, and emergency response operations. OSHA Standard 1910.120 covers all these areas and they must have go with the rules and regulations. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response is concerned with the safety standards that employers must ensure to undertake these operations at hazardous sites. OSHA represents different levels of HAZWOPER training based on different kinds of work with the possible hazard involved.

If your work involves in clean-up operations, voluntary clean-up operations, emergency response operations, and storage, disposal and management of hazardous materials and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, you should take 40-hour HAZWOPER Training. Because it will help you eliminate hazardous materials, and ensuring safety of other workers and environment, decontamination, medical surveillance, site characterization and control etc. Besides this, you will come to know the use of personal protective equipment, excavation, fire protection, introduction to blood borne pathogens, chemical awareness etc.

Workers at Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Operation site require undertaking the 24-hour HAZWOPER Training course. This course contains the purpose of OSHA and various functions to enforce occupational safety, recognizing the presence of and elimination of hazardous materials in the workplace, use of site characterization to be aware of and deal with problems that might crop up in the workplace, identifying substances that can give rise to explosive, flammable, or radiological hazards, ensure the use of Material Safety Data sheets, understanding the importance the personal protective equipment(PPE), forming a proper site control program, and enforcing effective procedures of treatment in cases of exposure.

After all, you will fully be equipped with all the very essential love saving suggestions.

The 8-hour HAZWOPER Training course helps the workers to read and understand OSHA regulations, understand principles of toxicology, use site characterization to identify and reduce hazards, understand the uses of PPE, develop a medical surveillance program, principles of decontamination, understand potentially hazardous situations and various considerations in an emergency.

There is nothing left in these HAZWOPER Training course that workers can possibly face at the working place. The importance and benefit of these courses can not be ignored at all and the workers who are getting all these courses will definitely work well and more productively.

Coordinating Green Building Improvements

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:16:36 -0400

If you are a commercial property owner considering making improvements to increase energy efficiency and potentially qualify for rebates or tax incentives, you may be tempted to jump in, choose one aspect of your facility that needs improvement and charge ahead. Lighting upgrades are a fairly low-risk investment that can result in substantial energy savings. So, why not have your own plant or facility personnel oversee a lighting upgrade? It's important to take a more comprehensive - integrated approach and plan for future improvements that may be impacted by the lighting upgrade. If an HVAC upgrade is next on your list, it makes sense to think ahead and coordinate all of the potential upgrades that make up your green building vision.

Whole-building (integrated) design is a growing trend in green building. This method of building or making improvements, analyzes the way a building's systems work together and affect each other, rather than trying to make improvements to systems or components individually. Whole-building design results in a more efficient design that maximizes energy efficiency and minimizes the building's impact on its environment.

Before making improvements to an existing building, it is important to establish the overall goals for the project and establish a green team that will design and coordinate an integrated plan. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has established the LEED Certification process in an effort to create the standard for what constitutes a green building. Having a project coordinator who understands the USGBC standards and/or other standards and can integrate them into the project is extremely beneficial.

In projects where an integrated approach is not taken, often plant or facility employees have little experience in evaluating equipment or systems and don't have up-to-date knowledge on green building codes and available incentives. They are typically looking for the cheapest install and may overlook important economic factors that will save the property owner money in the long run. An improperly installed system may not yield the expected energy savings and may have a negative impact on future upgrades to other building components.

An experienced consultant on your green team can facilitate coordination of the trades so that when looking at a lighting upgrade all incentives are reviewed. A lighting upgrade can also result in significant energy saving opportunities for subsequent building system upgrades. It's important to coordinate with the HVAC trade so that the new equipment may be sized to account for the reduction of heat from old lights to new lights. You'll also need to know if there are any potential incentives that may be available for the new HVAC system.

Additionally, a consultant who understands the wider-reaching impact of improvements that might include fenestration, roofing or insulation will provide the property owner the added benefit of their knowledge of integrated building systems and the effect of local environmental factors on the building. It is possible that with the right basic building materials in place, the building will be more energy efficient and require smaller and more energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. This could easily result in significant savings overall, improved productivity, as well as, establishing a more comprehensive - and improved environment within the facility.

Whole-building design takes into account the complexity of each building's structure and systems, creating a logical and cohesive design. Implementing an integrated design approach also allows property owners to follow professionally developed best-practices for creating lasting green improvements.

To learn more about Green Building Improvements, project coordination, or for an initial cost-free consultation, contact M.A. Moore, corporate sustainability advisor at Capital Review Group or directly at 602.741.7776.

Understanding IR35

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:10:45 -0400

As a freelance contractor you need to get to grips with IR35. The following provides an overview of the important information you need to know:

Background to IR35 IR35 was implemented back in April 2000 and this tax legislation was designed to prevent what the Labour government coined as ‘disguised employment’. In short it prevents contractors working in an identical way to a company employee whilst taking payments as a self-employed person.

How IR35 impacts you IR35 affects your pay along with your relevant tax code and the level of business expenses you can claim. To fall outside of the IR35 requirements a contractor will pay themselves expenses, a salary and dividends. If you are affected by IR35 then you will pay yourself a salary and expenses only. Make sure you are covered

1. Check any contracts You must ensure that all contracts are worded correctly including the necessary elements for self employment. This includes:

Right of substitution
Right of control
Tools of trade
Basis of remuneration
Trading structure
Business organisation
Financial risk
Terms of engagement
Mutuality of obligation

2. Get your client to sign an IR35 confirmation letter

A confirmation letter can help you to avoid an IR35 investigation which can lead to you having to pay thousands of pounds in backdated tax. Again here your client will put their name and signature to a letter outlining how you work which in conjunction with your contract provides you with a rock solid account of your status as self employed.

3. Physical contract Taking steps to put together a robust IR35 contract and letter of agreement is an easy way of protecting yourself but you must ensure that they are a genuine representation of how you work. You must carry out your assignments in line with your documented contracts as the HMRC will monitor closely how the physical engagement is carried out.

At Churchill Knight we offer a comprehensive service to contractors and self employed workers.

Commercial Properties Benefits from Sliding Glass Door Self-Closing Devices

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:26:23 -0400

Sliding glass doors can be a headache for commercial and rental property owners for a number of reasons. Guests and tenants can forget to close doors, resulting in excess energy costs and increased security risk. With rising energy costs and a growing concern for the environment, securely closed doors are the first step in cutting down on wasted energy. One of the most effective and easily implemented solutions to the problem is installing automatic door closers on sliding glass doors.

Self-closing devices are installed on the sliding doors and automatically close the door anytime it is left open. The patented Ultra Glide sliding glass door closer and safety latch, made by DCS Global in Phoenix, AZ can be used on any kind of sliding door and can be color-matched to coordinate with doors and decors. These devices are unobtrusive and are the perfect way to ensure that your sliding doors will always close.

The Ultra Glide is especially effective, because it will not be damaged if the door is pushed shut, and it will not prematurely damage the rollers and track on the patio doors, ensuring long life for your property's sliding doors. The device enables property owners to retain the value and long life of your sliding doors.

For commercial property owners who want to lower energy costs as well as making a positive environmental impact, the Ultra Glide can be a great energy saving device, as the management at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas discovered. The Resort installed Ultra Glide devices on several different types of patio doors throughout their lodge rooms in the spring of 2009. Jan Marquis, Director of Land Maintenance at the property says, "I believe the installation of these units has had a positive impact on lowering our energy usage for our lodge rooms, as it does not allow the guest to leave the doors open while the air conditioners are running." Marquis also says that the installation of the Ultra Glide devices went smoothly on each type of door, and that the doors all operate well since installation. This simple, property-wide improvement provided a quick solution to concerns of Resort management, and shows guests that the company is energy and environmentally conscious.

In addition to saving on energy costs, every commercial property owner wants to rest assured that their property is secure and safe for residents and guests. Open doors are an invitation to unwanted visitors, whether it is insects, snakes or other pests. Of course, an open door can be a security risk when it comes to guests' belongings as well. With self-closing devices installed on sliding doors, property owners don't need to rely on their guests to close doors behind them. Security problems can be minimized by having doors that close securely every time.

For a minimal investment and simple installation, commercial property owners can keep their investment secure as well as cutting down on energy costs and leading the way to a greener future.

Commercial Properties Benefit from Sliding Glass Door Self-Closing Devices

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:20:41 -0400

Event Management Can Greatly Improve Any Event?

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:16:59 -0400

There are a vast number of variables that can go into planning an event and it can be a challenging task to pull all the various elements together. If you do not have any experience in planning a big event then you will need professional help to ensure it runs smoothly and is a success. There are many professional event management services available and these offer a wealth of experience and skills which can help you to take your event to the next level.

Corporate Events

It is essential at any corporate event that the hosting business presents a professional image. An experienced event management team can offer you tried and testing planning and resourcing techniques to help you achieve this. Professional event management teams will have the contacts you need to create high impact events that are memorable for all the right reasons, whether you are planning a sales conference, shareholder meeting or product launch. Event management teams will be experienced at dealing with different vendors from caterers through to lighting and entertainment staff and will be equipped to deal with any emergency situations that may arise.

Social Events

If you are planning a big social event such as a wedding or engagement party then a professional event management service can help you to turn your dreams into a reality. You may have a certain vision of the theme, style and mood of your event and an experience event management team can help you to realize this and will be able to suggest practical solutions. For example you may want to hire an unusual venue but are not sure who to approach or you may want a particular theme. Professional event management teams will have the contacts you need to develop your ideas and will be able to guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up an event to meet your requirements.

As well as taking care of the planning and preparation stages event management services can also provide fully trained and experienced staff to work behind the scenes on your big day to ensure it runs smoothly and is a great success.

A professional event management service can take away a lot of the burden of planning and facilitating events of any size. They will have the experience and skills necessary to create the right mood, ambience and outcome to your event whether it is for business or social reasons.

Who's Your Chief Morale Officer? (Hint: Look in the Mirror!)

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 01:46:47 -0400

Much is asked of leaders during trying times. They must remain focused, calm and optimistic. They need a steady hand, nerves of steel, vision that can see far beyond the horizon and navigate it diligently. Among the hats leaders at many levels wear, one is that of CMO — chief morale officer.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines morale as:

The mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand;

Alternately, a sense of common purpose with respect to a group (esprit de corps):

Lastly, the level of individual psychological well-being based on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence in the future.

As a leader you have influence over the morale of your team, group, department or organization. How are you wielding yours?

More than a Cheerleader
Many people regard morale as the domain of cheerleaders. Rah-rah cheers and exhortations. platitudes and slogans:
✔ You Can Do It!
✔ Be Your Best!
✔ Your Attitude Determines Your Attitude!

I beg to differ. Morale is much more complex than platitudes and tag lines, slogans and speeches. A Chief Morale Officer has many responsibilities.

Take Their Temperature!
What is the pulse of your group? How is morale? Are people depressed? Lethargic? Confused? Leaders need to know the sentiments of their team on a daily basis. And it can't be determined from the safety of your office. You need to be on the ground, in the trenches, talking to employees and managers on a regular — or in some cases daily — basis. You've heard of management by wandering? Your goal: morale-building by wandering.

Steady at the Helm
As you assess the mood of the team, understand the psychology of your employees, and appreciate the tenor of the times. Layoffs, foreclosures, evaporating 401K plans. Employees are insecure, uncertain and entertaining doubts about their future, their family's, as well as their organization's. Knowing this, you can quell their fears, instill confidence in them and provide stability — through your words and actions. Exhibiting a steady hand, a calm demeanor and quiet confidence will similarly allay the fears of your employees, who look to you for cues. Be a voice of reason. You're their lighthouse in the storm. May your light shine unwaveringly.

Communication Quells, Calms and Connects
Uncertainty in the workplace doesn't just affect morale. It slows productivity and often feeds on itself. Rumors spread, worst fears are entertained. "Not" knowing the status of a team or group, project or initiative, is unhealthy. As a leader you need to keep employees apprised of situations. You need to be available and accessible to answer questions, allay fears and focus (or re-focus) the team. Regular communication, whether through meetings or social gatherings, maintains and also builds morale. Be a communicative leader!

Who Motivates the Motivator?
There will be times you, the motivator, may need motivation. That's to be expected. You need to recognize times when you're depressed, burned out or otherwise not at your best. Need a shot in the arm? There are counselors and coaches, support groups and your own personal network of professional resources to draw upon. Understand the importance of maintaining your own resiliency and ability to shoulder the needs of your group.

Leaders: Windows to the Soul of an Organization
It's said you can tell a lot about a company by the people it keeps. I believe leaders to be the windows to the soul of organizations. Leader who are dour, negative or waiting for the next shoe to drop adversely affect an organization's morale. Conversely, leaders who are successful Chief Morale Officers disproportionably affect morale. There's no moral to this article…just morale It's time you lead! Flex your motivational muscles and give your organization the morale they need. As CMO you are now the provider of choice of your employees!

Craig Harrison is the Chief Excellence Officer — And Chief Expressionist, of his own company, Expressions of Excellence!™ The Author of CULTIVATING THE LEADER IN YOU , Craig can be reached by phone, e-mail or through his website: 510-547-0664, Craig@CultivateTheLeaderInYou.com or through www.ExpressionsOfExcellence.com.