Controlling

Now I know what you're thinking by the title. I would like to think of this chapter more about overseeing a procedure (or work process) and making changes as necessary so the work runs most efficiently.

For any business that gives a rip, there are carefully thought out procedures and processes. Tests are run and results are measured. Some businesses, if they so dare, ask for employee input. When something is not working correctly, or there is a more efficient way of completing a task, changes are made accordingly.

I must point out the flaws in a certain place I have recieved W-2's from. It's too much fun! Sometime back in like 1950-something, there were procedures set up for this restaurant on how to do every procedure in the restaurant. Back then the procedures were analyzed and perfected to what we know as today (or at least those of us that have had to suffer in that "work"place). And also, back then, the employees most likely were more responsible and took their job seriously. That helped results immensely, I'm sure!

However, the results are all measured in numbers. Mostly time. During the lunch hour you can hear a manager yell at the crew, "the drive-thru times are high. You need to speed it up!" In my experience, it was mostly drive-thru times. Lobby customers came second, and the food went fast. But not fast enough. Despite always trying to lower the drive-thru times, customers still complain that they've been waiting a long time and it's about time they should get their food.

When new procedures have been added in the past, there was minimal training and the results were expected to be ranked "perfection" and "fast". The results actually were less than "perfection" and the managers wonder why.

The moral of this... blog is to train your employees to do their job properly and make sure they are up to standards! Don't be afraid to measure in more than just numbers! There are other ways to measure success!