| Question from Tom BranniganWe are having a hard time getting some of our lower level employees involved creatively in our weekly meetings. Any suggestions?
Answer: Involve them where they already feel the most knowledgeable. I believe that involving people is the best way to reward them. It doesn’t mean they’ll seek out the chance, but with a push I’ve seen many examples of changes in peoples’ desire and attitude simply because we discovered a way to include them in ways that they could positively effect the success of the company. Regardless of the agenda of your meetings, you should try to involve this group in a way that allows them to prepare in advance. If the issue is operations, say regarding how to get a particular site done in the time bid, let a team of them know the difficulty you’re having hitting budget. Give them ideas on how this could be analyzed and let them report back to the entire group their findings at the meeting. If the meetings are training related, begin by preparing the simplest of agendas around training topics. Machine operations, timesheets, pest ID, fertilizer application, planting technique and safety are a few. Choose people from this group to research topics in preparation for a presentation to their peers. Assign all topics well in advance and be sure that a supervisor reviews the proposed presentation before it is approved for delivery to the entry level staff. It’s difficult to involve everyone in this way, as some will shy away from any kind of presentation. In those cases, you can make allowance for them by allowing them to help in research. Remember that you’re looking for growth in your employees, so don’t be disappointed if they don’t perform to your standards the first time. If they’re allowed to try and are coached well, you’ll see that they will improve the process on their own the next time around. You’ll also see more people willing to participate when they see that others aren’t punished for trying.
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