Perhaps at no time does your work staff need reinforcement than when there is an economic downturn I know of many companies when under pressure choose instead ot pass the pressure onto their staffs by exhorting them to do better. There are companies who instead of tacking the tactic that they are all in it together they pit one group against another. In larger corporations they encourage one sales group to compete vigorously against the other group.
I have heard this brand of competition can evoke more than mere competition. It can provoke bitterness and mistrust of the other sales teams. This is not a good idea when you are enduring a difficulty economy. You can lose some key staff members who would rather not deal with such behavior.
Mind you, there is nothing wrong with competition. But when the economy is bad, let’s face it there is only so much you can do. What you can do is look for ways to innovate or to grab business from your faltering competition. Common sense would dictate that doing so not only requires unity of team spirit , but it inspires it as well. The is no better feeling a group can feel than we are all in this together. Few things make people more resolute or do more to promote innovation through cross-functional teamwork.
Often it pays to hire people during the economic meltdowns. Recruit employment candidates who promise to be that extra missing part. Vet them in your preemployment screening program by conducting reference checks to best assess their skill sets. They just may give you the extra edge in a highly competitive environment.
And whatever else, encourage communication. Not just rigid forms and silly memos. Encourage real talk. From real talk there will come real solutions to very pressing issues. Keep the doors open and, as best you can, the politics out of the mix.
Reward your people as best you can. They are doing their best in tough times. Well, at least most of them are. So let them know you appreciate their efforts. And let everyone else know about it, so there is some sense of unity. When times turn good again, your staff will appreciate how you treated them, rather than seize the opportunity to look for another job.
