how to work with low-cost countries (part 2): motivating your employees
DESCRIPTION
Resistance to change is probably the greatest challenge a small to medium-sized business' CEO needs to overcome when engaging employees to work with partners in low-cost countries. Indeed, the fear of the unknown, the cultural differences, the prospects (real or not) of competing internally for work, etc. are some of the main reasons why employees will consciously or unconsciously fight such change. Our second CEO Insight on the topic 'How to work with low-cost countries' focuses on ways to keep employees engaged and motivated. As usual in those Eurosia Insights, we do not pretend answering it all (the presentations are meant to be walked through in less than 30 secs ;)) but give a snapshot and some food for thoughts to GM, MD, CEOs (and aspiring ones), especially the ones of small to mid-sized companies. For more or if you want to exchange on the topic, feel free to comment below or drop me a line: [email protected] Enjoy the reading! CedricTRANSCRIPT
HOW TO MAKE MY ORGANIZATION WORK WITH LOW-‐COST COUNTRIES
PART 2: MOTIVATING EMPLOYEES
Eurosia™ CEO Insight #5
WHY REVIEWING YOUR EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION STRATEGY?
BECAUSE 71% OF EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCE LOWER WORK MORALE AFTER (OUT)SOURCING-‐RELATED REORGANIZATION
Source: Rashdan, S., ”The impact of Offshoring On Employee Motivation In The Information Technology Field” (2005)
BY ADAPTING THESE 8 LESSONS LEARNED TO YOUR ORGANIZATION, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED & MOTIVATED TO DELIVER
#1: INVOLVE YOUR EMPLOYEES IN THE FORMULATION OF THE OUTSOURCING PROJECT…
Eurosia™ CEO Insight #6
…SO EMPLOYEES ARE (AND FEEL) INCLUDED AND CAN ADD VALUE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS
% employees who feel that outsourcing decisions are made in secret by company leadership.
46%
32%
22%
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Source: Rashdan, S., ”The impact of Offshoring On Employee Motivation In The Information Technology Field” (2005)
#2: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS THE ENEMY OF CHANGE: KEEP CLARIFYING HOW THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE AFFECTED… …and communicate that such change will bring new opportunities, such as more managerial positions.
#3: DEFINE CLEAR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION…
#4: … AND SHOWCASE HOW WORKING WITH LOWER COST COUNTRIES WILL LEAD TO GREATER REWARDS FOR HIGHER VALUE-‐ADDED WORK AT HOME
”OUTSOURCING CHANGES THE ROLE OF MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES”
This new type of leadership needs four capabilities:
1. Being able to think strategically 2. Making deals 3. Governing partnerships 4. Managing change
Source: Michael Corbett, The Outsourcing Revolution, 2004
Eurosia™ CEO Insight #5
#5: INVOLVE YOUR EMPLOYEES IN THE FUTURE OF THE COMPANY
For instance, the company may reward the best employees with restricted company shares or warrants / stock options
#6: EXEMPLIFY THAT STRONG PERFORMANCE LEADS TO JOB SECURITY…
#7: FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS BUILDING
”Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress;
working together is success” Henry Ford
For instance:
Encouraging and creating
opportunities for your
employees to get to know the
new members of the team
overseas.
Enabling exchanges and trips
to the overseas operations for
the best performers.
#8: PLAN FOR CONTINUOUS EMPLOYEE TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Eurosia™ CEO Insight #6
If you want one year of prosperity, Grow Grain, If you want ten years of prosperity, Grow Trees, If you want one hundred years of prosperity, Grow People. CHINESE PROVERB
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In our next Eurosia™ CEO Insight we will address the following:
10 BEST PRACTICES FROM THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CEOS
