http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com Copyright 2008 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:53:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.2.2 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=26 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=26#comments Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:12:10 +0000 Purpose http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=26 If I can help just one business improve its performance, I will consider this effort a success. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=26 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=52 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=52#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:46:57 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=52 When Ed Koch was mayor of New York from 1978 to 1989, he would ask anyone who would listen, "How am I doing?" Arguably one of the city's best mayors, he was known for marching to the beat of his own drum. Although it might seem strange to many that ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=52 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=51 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=51#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:58:47 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=51 With the recent federal bailouts of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG et al., people are asking "who was responsible?" http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=51 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=50 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=50#comments Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:29:47 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=50 On August 18, 2008 I attended the YES Network taping of an interview with Bobby Flay by Michael Kay in New York City. I have enjoyed watching Bobby practice his culinary magic on Iron Chef and Throwdown, but my real purpose in attending was to serve as driver and escort ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=50 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=49 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=49#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:44:40 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=49 I've never been impressed with agencies or services managed by our state government. I know I'm not alone and I bet if I were to survey others on their experiences, the feeling would be the same. Likewise, I've never been impressed with nursing homes in general. Having dealt with four ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=49 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=48 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=48#comments Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:52:38 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=48 As a young plant manager, I was infatuated with change. I guess my thinking at that time was that new was always better than old. As experience matured me (and as I got older), I began to see that my desire for newness did not always equate with better. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=48 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=47 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=47#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:31:02 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=47 If accountability has anything to do with efficiency and performance, why do managers avoid the issue? Here's my bet as to the top three reasons:A dislike of confrontation;A fear of making a negative situation more negative;A desire to be politically correct by chalking off failures to obscure social issues.In my ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=47 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=45 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=45#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:59:33 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=45 No matter how much Fred's accountant tried to persuade him that his workers needed objective benchmarks, Fred was convinced that expressing his displeasure with the results was all the information they needed and anything more a serious breech of his financial privacy. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=45 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=44 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=44#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:03:37 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=44 A DO AS I SAY, NOT DO AS I DO mentality is hyprocisy at its finest and of the quickest ways to demoralize and de-motivate a workforce. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=44 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=43 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=43#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:07:11 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=43 Two weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a reader named Bob suggesting an essay on training. While training has been on my short list of possible topics for well over six months, it kept sinking to the bottom in favor of ideas that were prompted by more current events ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=43 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=42 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=42#comments Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:14:39 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=42 In spite of this widespread knowledge of how ineffectively people communicate, I’m always surprised when managers and supervisors verbally pass along important information or instructions "down the row." http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=42 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=41 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=41#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:33:02 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=41 Consider a written procedure that is published for all to understand and follow. Set up your procedure in a way that satisfies your needs and prevents the possibility of subjectivity on the part of your supervisors. Make sure the procedure is well-publicized and uniformly enforced. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=41 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=40 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=40#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:30:39 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=40 For a business to prosper and grow, managers need to delegate and monitor. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=40 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=39 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=39#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:37:51 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=39 I'm always amazed to see how smaller companies fill their supervisory positions. Far too often a person migrates into a leadership role because of seniority with little regard for genuine qualifications. Even worse, a candidate is seriously considered because he or she is a warm body or what I like ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=39 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=37 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=37#comments Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:57:20 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=37 Many forget that accounting by its nature provides a measurement of historical data which may or may not have any bearing on current activities. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=37 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=36 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=36#comments Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:53:36 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=36 recommendations on disciplining employees http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=36 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=35 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=35#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:53:25 +0000 Quality Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=35 Mistakenly, some companies attack their problems with a "shotgun approach" expecting that a barrage of action scattered over a wide area will prevent just about anything. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=35 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=34 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=34#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:43:05 +0000 Customers http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=34 Contrary to popular belief, American craftsmanship does exist! http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=34 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=33 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=33#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:23:00 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=33 A boss must learn to let go. It’s amazing how leaders lose sight of the big picture and get caught up in minutia. Turning over responsibility to one’s subordinates builds strength and depth in the organization. After communicating the objective, give your people space! http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=33 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=32 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=32#comments Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:25:41 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=32 99% of all workers want to do a good job! http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=32 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=31 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=31#comments Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:11:10 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=31 One thing for sure, Charlie will always be remembered as the one who screwed-up on Line #37 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=31 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=28 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=28#comments Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:10:19 +0000 Planning & Direction http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=28 There are dozens of approaches to planning with a number of possibilities to be found on the Internet. Each business is different so the approach and process will need to be suited to your operation. At very least, consider a yearly plan, a five year strategic plan and ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=28 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=25 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=25#comments Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:05:23 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=25 Shooting the messenger NEVER improves performance! http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=25 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=24 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=24#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:49:21 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=24 In smaller companies, the HR function is often split. Typically payroll, benefit administration and personnel records are managed by accounting while the interview and hiring process is handled by the responsible manager. I offer this entry to those managers who do not have the benefit of an HR ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=24 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=21 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=21#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2007 10:50:33 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=21 The boss sets the tone - everything you say and do affects our morale and how we work. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=21 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=18 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=18#comments Wed, 16 May 2007 07:28:31 +0000 Improve Performance http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=18 Process improvement takes deliberate and continual effort and sometimes this means we need to get back in the water with our tow rope and deal with the leeches. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=18 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=20 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=20#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:34:04 +0000 Personnel Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=20 A smart leader knows that fostering a positive mental attitude is an essential tool in building self-esteem and generating consistent results. We all thrive on the encouragement and positive feedback from the boss. Self-confidence is almost infectious with each success increasing our level of trust in our ability to accomplish ... http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=20 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=23 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=23#comments Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:35:37 +0000 Customers http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=23 CUSTOMER LOYALTY BACK THEN and TODAY - tips on survival http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=23 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=16 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=16#comments Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:44:54 +0000 Negotiation http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=16 Well-known authors have written tons of books and articles on the art of negotiation. While negotiation by its nature tends to be adversarial, in my own career I have taken a non-confrontational approach which has been very successful. http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=16 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=15 http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=15#comments Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:29:11 +0000 Procedure Management http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/index.php?p=15 Some would argue that a procedural manual is overkill for a small business; however in this situation it was critical. For a business to grow and thrive, employees and staff need consistent and clear direction! http://dougcontreras.performancedatamanagement.com/wp-commentsrss2.php?p=15