Treat Employees Fairly, Car Wash Entrepreneur sets Industry Standards

I believe that whether corporations expense their stock options is besides the point, especially when the stock is worthless. We have studied over the years the rift between employees and employers and we have discovered many great brand names are eventually destroyed from internal strife and friction within the company itself. Many great corporate leaders and thinkers of our era have discussed this at length. Tom Peters, consultant and author has discussed this in speeches and in many of his books. The book "Built to Last" discusses what makes and breaks great companies, from their mission statement to their employees and sense of team spirit. The late great Vince Lombardi had many comments on the subject of Team Work. Winston Churchill and General Patton, even Von Clauswitz, which both leaders had read frequently in understanding the will to win and rules of engagement, discussed the frontline and the dedication needed.

So many great companies understand the game, companies like Microsoft, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, State Farm Insurance, South West Airlines, Dell Computers, HP (pre-Compaq merger), Disney, AFLAC, CISCO, Patagonia, Continental Airlines, Genetic, Harley Davidson, Fed Ex, Marriott, American Express, Texas Instruments, etc. Well I like think; so does my company, The Car Wash Guys. Does your company get it?

I watch as the rest of the car wash industry discusses the dynamics of labor, without ever understanding that the Labor is actually real people. Sure they have names, but in the eyes of the Car Wash owner typically they are a cost of doing business, a large percentage of the cost, and therefore whenever possible they are exploited for higher profits. This goes against many of the great entrepreneurs who discuss the benefits of team work and labor, not to mention the advice of Deming, Perot, Fred Smith, Howard Hughes, Nolan Bushnell, Sam Walton, Ray Kroc, Tom Monahan, Dave Thomas, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Michael Eisner, Dell and Schultz. I find it so interesting that such great entrepreneurs and business leaders of our lifetime have spent so much time and breath over such issues and still it falls on deaf ears. The famous quote "Pearls to Swine" seems rather appropriate in the Car Washing Industry with regards to advice on building a team and treating employees fairly. As if "empowerment" was a BUZZWORD of the past, which now has no meaning at all.

Some entrepreneurs will repeat the mantra "Customers are always right" and "Customers First" while the best business leaders like Jack Welsh, Tom Peters and Fred Smith will say "NO," Customers are very important, but employees are first. Even our own US Marines, Navy Seals and Airborne Rangers all say that the team is all you have when the going gets tough; they act decisively, matter of factly and with knowledge close at hand. The Coal Miners who lived through their ordeal in Pennsylvania said that they all decided early on, that "we all live or we all die," this is why they are all alive today. It is for this reason that the PA Governor was able to say "All 9 are alive" "We are 9 for 9."

Fred Smith talks about sub cultures and small teams of employees developing their own strength, Jack founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car has a culture of aggressive young team players who work together and are rewarded for it. Howard Shultz insists that all employees are entitled to a 401K with stock options and calls them Team Partners. Sam Walton early on empowered his employees and visited every store to shake hands. Bill Gates says we will not lay off when everyone else does and immediately starts hiring the talent and employees who have been disenchanted from other companies. The late Walt Disney cared more about his employees than his life itself. Michael Dell sits in on meetings and writes personal notes and gives kudos directly to his team. Winston Churchill inspired a nation. General Patton defeated the Germans, and if we look at Schwartzkoff, Horner or any of the other great leaders of the Gulf War, it was all about the men and women in uniform, not themselves, it was about the team.

I took a picture recently outside a car wash asking the employees to park in the dirt. Interestingly enough the car wash employees who clean cars all day were asked to park in the dirt, received no discount to wash their own cars and were told to like it; there was plenty of room even on their busy Saturday? Was the car wash owner embarrassed at the junky cars his employees drove? Ever thought of paying them more? Detailing their cars for them, after all he is in the business. Hardly the way you will see our Team Members treated. Many might say that we are going overboard on this issue. Are we? Certainly not in the eyes of the greatest leaders and businessmen of our time. As a matter of fact we search our soles to determine if we are actually doing enough for our team. Sure we demand hard work, customer service and integrity of our team members, but in return they know we are with them all the way.

It is a wonder that such companies, which do not subscribe to these principles, can stay in business. I question the longevity of any company who forsakes its team for short-term profits. You can have both short-term profits which consecutive quarters and strong teamwork and proper employee relations, as a matter of fact you can either, have both or none at all. I want you to think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:05:30 GMT '1967 lines not up for discussion' - Jerusalem Post Sydney Morning Herald '1967 lines not up for discussion' Jerusalem Post - 32 minutes ago By JPOST.COM STAFF The July 4, 1967 lines are not up for discussion and are the very foundations from which direct talks between Israel and Syria will start, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Friday. Video: Sarkozy in Syria : the press is divided france24english Syrian sets terms of role on peace Philadelphia Inquirer New York Times - Boston Globe - International Herald Tribune - Voice of America all 1,039 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:32:39 GMT Rice set for historic Libya visit - BBC News RTE.ie Rice set for historic Libya visit BBC News - 3 hours ago US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to begin a historic visit to Libya as part of a North African tour. She is expected to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as part of the trip, which will also include visits to Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Rice set to begin historic Libya visit AFP Rice set to make history in Libya The Associated Press Aljazeera.net - International Herald Tribune - WZTV - Bloomberg all 425 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:41:55 GMT Wal-Mart acting on shifts in consumer spending - BusinessWeek Los Angeles Times Wal-Mart acting on shifts in consumer spending BusinessWeek - 3 hours ago By CHUCK BARTELS If the mood on Wall Street is grim, then consumers must be feeling even more bleak, right? Fuel prices remain high, inflation has hit food prices hard and consumer confidence is down. August another disappointing month for retailers Los Angeles Times Lower-cost stores gain from US shoppers' thriftiness Financial Times Forbes - The Associated Press - Wall Street Journal all 673 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:48:39 GMT Schwarzenegger: Palin delivered 'fantastic' speech - San Jose Mercury News KGET 17 Schwarzenegger: Palin delivered 'fantastic' speech San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago AP SACRAMENTO—Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday said Sarah Palin hit a home run with her acceptance speech for the Republican vice presidential nomination. Video: Governor To Californians: Bug Lawmakers About Budget kcratv California nears record in spending plan stalemate Sacramento Bee San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Los Angeles Times - New York Times - City Watch all 302 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:14:17 GMT Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible - Baltimore Sun Voice of America Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible Baltimore Sun - 41 minutes ago By Frank D. Roylance Researchers cataloging the genetic codes of deadly human brain and pancreatic cancers say they have found several dozen defective genes that appear to work in concert to set off the tumor growth that eventually kills their victims. In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, The Breakthrough Is the Problem Wall Street Journal What You Need to Know About Mapping the Cancer Genome U.S. News & World Report Reuters - The Associated Press - Bloomberg - Science Daily (press release) all 209 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:24:12 GMT McCain takes stage, turns down heat - Boston Globe The Gazette (Montreal) McCain takes stage, turns down heat Boston Globe - 1 hour ago By Joanna Weiss For a man at the top of a presidential ticket, John McCain had an unusual task last night: to remind the nation that he was the star of his own show. Palin Assails Critics and Electrifies Party New York Times GOP welcomes McCain with enthusiasm Milwaukee Journal Sentinel CBS News - Kansas City Star - ABC News - TIME all 1,387 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:20:31 GMT Boeing Workers Are on the Brink - BusinessWeek Wall Street Journal Boeing Workers Are on the Brink BusinessWeek - 1 hour ago Despite being offered a relatively generous package by management, Boeing machinists are ready to go on strike. Here's why by Joseph Weber When a stunning 87% of Boeing machinists voted on Sept. Motown Blues for Boeing? Wall Street Journal Boeing, machinists union meet with mediator The Associated Press Seattle Times - Bloomberg - Reuters - Chicago Tribune all 1,406 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:54:59 GMT Clickbank Datafeed Work From Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Building Shareholder Value Through Your People

Increasing shareholder value is the most important driver for organisations... Read More

Is Chess Good for Management?

The game of chess has been applauded and taught in... Read More

Coaching Employees in the Workplace

After a full week of training, you are still a... Read More

The Ins and Outs of Internal and External Relations

INTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS: Never overlook an opportunity to do internal... Read More

Getting Your Employees Attention Back to Work

It is 9:00 am on a Monday morning. Do you... Read More

5 Steps to Continuous Process Improvement

Part One of Creating Well-Defined Processes SeriesWhat if your sales... Read More

10 Steps Towards A Stress-Free Introduction Into Management

Becoming a manager for the first time can be an... Read More

Doing More With Less

This is a bottom-line environment.Decreasing the downtime of revenue producing... Read More

Planning a Productive Retreat

What value is there in leadership or team-building retreats? Just... Read More

Office Politics

Office politics! It's just another way of saying: "The employees... Read More

Internal Communication: 12 Essential Elements

There are 12 essential elements of a successful internal communications... Read More

Take the Easy Route - Delegate

It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More

Towards Intercultural Understanding

An individual's ability to forge effective relationships across cultures is... Read More

Optimizing Your Cash Flow With Proper Accounts Receivable Management

Businesses miss on growth opportunities and even close their doors... Read More

Prepare A Winning CV

There is every chance that elements of this article may... Read More

The Power of the Contract in Performance Management

An essential step in managing the performance of salespeople is... Read More

Innovation Management: The Quality and Quantity of the Idea Pool

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Spirits in the Corporate Boardroom.......Oh, sure......

There is a growing movement in the spiritual... Read More

The 70% Solution: Practical Testing and Version Control

"What do you mean you need to push back the... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management: Goal Setting

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Employee Motivation - Access Their Unique Talents

Your people are invaluable to you. They are the lifeblood... Read More

Eight Skills of Highly Successful Consultants

With deference to Dr. Covey and his very popular Seven... Read More

Preparing a Budget

Ok, you say, I know I need a budget, but... Read More

How to Get the Best from Outsourcing

There's a great little article ('Business Lifeforms') on... Read More

Performance Management Made Easy

Performance Management is a process that both employer and employee... Read More