The Labor Department defines productivity as the amount an employee produces for every hour on the job. Productivity grew at a rate of 2.2% during the April-to-June quarter. Economists commented that this was down from a 2.6% growth rate measured in the first three months of this year.

Economists always have their predictions. For the first two quarters of this year, these predictions have fueled a chaotic ride on Wall Street, among other factors like the price of oil. The forecast was that productivity would rise by 2.5% (source: briefing.com).

We were off by .3%? And? We are still becoming more productive, aren’t we.

But at what cost?

Growth in compensation, which includes wages and benefits also slowed. Companies held back compensation increases or increased benefits because of economic uncertainty and how it might affect their businesses.

So, on a Friday afternoon, when I am thinking more clearly than I do the rest of the week, I ask this question. Why does the workforce continue to give more to corporate America for less? Doesn’t the average American worker face the same fears about how the economy will affect them? Isn’t it already affecting us?

It costs more for the average American to drive to work.

It costs more to feed families.

It costs more to buy almost everything, except cars perhaps.

Who is the winner in this report today?

Not you or me.

The “In Your Face” cellphone guy- This person has changed the tone on his “stun” setting to be just as loud and obnoxious as his incoming phone call ringtone. He wants you to know he is important and that he just got an important call.

The “In and Out” cellphone gal - This person has their phone on “stun” and takes every call. She leaves the room to talk to be courteous. After she leaves the room for the third time, she has become disruptive.

The “Multitasking” cellphone guy - This person pretends to listen to whomever is talking in the meeting, but is on the phone. Since none of us can really multitask (another topic), this guy is on the phone conducting another meeting.

The “Dial-in” cellphone gal. This person is dialing into the Polycom, because she can’t be at the meeting physically. She takes another call on her cellphone as someone asks her a question. Everyone in the meeting thinks the line is dead. They call her back and get a busy signal.

Years ago, I was in a meeting - about 15 people. Our customer was on the cellphone dialed into the meeting. He was the Director of the unit we were dealing with. Tough guy, loud, in your face. You know the type. “I am important!”

He monopolized most of the meeting by talking and talking. On and on. “Yeah, I’m at the airport right now ready to catch my flight,” he told us. I was annoyed. So were others. As he continues to pontificate away, we heard a toilet flush.

I almost fell off my seat.

Have a great weekend.

At a minimum, it will be therapeutic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU9YeOQm3Y0

Are you thinking about asking you boss if you can work from home several days a week - just so you can save money at the gas pump?

There is a lot of talk around the water coolers about carpooling, public transportation and working from home. In fact, I cannot remember a time in my 18 years of management where I have heard so much talk about alternative work arrangements.

Here are some things I have read about telecommuting in the U.S.:

1. It will conserve energy and bring the demand for oil down across the U.S. This comes not only from less cars on the road, but less buses or public transportation.

2. Less wear and tear on your vehicles. As inflation increases, the cost of maintaining your vehicle increases.

3. Companies will save money on energy in the office. Telecommuting can reduce the amount of office space and lower heating, cooling, and electrical expenses.

4. Reduce slow-moving vehicle emissions caused by rush hour. One article I read went as far as suggesting that telecommuting could reduce the need for highway expansions in growing cities. Obviously, this is a far-reaching benefit that could only occur if we see drastic shifts in the workplace.

5. Work/Life balance. American workers could start to reintegrate back into their families. Dads and Moms being away from their kids all day is a post industrial concept. Families could become reunited, instead of moving in a all different directions.

6. Reduce turnover. Despite rising unemployment reports, in my industry, employee retention nationally is still significantly high. Companies lose a ton of money each year as the workforce jumps around from job to job.

7. Productivity will increase in most cases. In my experience, allowing software developers to work at home for at least part of the week makes them more productive. The office is filled with distractions and there is less control over interruptions. Both are huge productivity killers.

Telecommuting may become a much more compelling alternative as we enter a new time in history where energy costs put a constant strain on the economy and the workforce.

It may be time for you to read your company’s telecommuting policy, (if they have one) and see if it is an option for you.

The question was: “What steps should you take if you are not getting along with your boss.”

Great question.

Tough to solve.

Communication is almost always at the core of the “bad” relationship. It can be one way or both ways. Either is damaging. The strained relationship is just a symptom.

First question you should ask yourself is “Can I have a candid, constructive discussion about the relationship?”

If the answer is “yes”, you will have a potentially easier time dealing with the relational difficulties. If the answer is “no,” don’t despair, most of the time you can still improve the relationship.

Let’s start with “yes.”

When you meet with your boss, you must follow these guidelines:

1) Do not get emotional.
2) Be honest about how you feel, but be sensitive to your boss’s feelings.
3) Be constructive and give concrete examples.
4) Don’t be defensive if your boss disagrees with what you are sharing.

Goal: You need to understand what the problem is from your boss’s perspective.

I can’t stress this enough. If you do not get inside of your manager’s head, you are not likely to discover what it is that irritates him about YOU!

So, if you are in the even more challenged group of workers who do not feel they can approach their boss, you need to become an excellent observer.

When you and your boss are having a bit of a “row,” as the British would put it, you need to observe how he is reacting to you. Observe how you are reacting to him. This is easier said than done; however, you need to listen and watch.

You will get clues as to how you annoy him. You need to know this, even if it is uncomfortable.

Bruce asked me in the interview if a bad relationship with your boss often ends up with you leaving the company or changing bosses.

I don’t think so. I think more people stick it out until they are promoted or learn how to work together even though they do not like each other. After all, you can dislike someone and still have a completely professional relationship with them.

It is within the art of the possible.

It is estimated that by the year 2010, the Millennials will outnumber both Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers (Generation X). Today there are about 80 million Millennials.

So what is so interesting about the Millennials?

Look at these stats on the current Millennial college students:

97% own a computer

94% own a cell phone

76% use Instant Messaging.

Millenials are tech savvy. Some say their parents gave them too much attention. Those who are entering the workforce are challenging managers that have trouble thinking outside of the box.

They need more feedback - not a bad thing. Managers should give more feedback.
They want to be challenged - not a bad thing. We should offer challenges.
They want you to respect their ideas - not a bad thing. Managers should always respect ideas, even if we do not agree with them.
They want a life apart from work - right on!

They think they can solve the world’s problems.

Well…

I am a baby boomer by only one year. I have enjoyed working with boomers, Gen Xers, and now Millennials. We all come from different times in recent history, but at the core, are we really that different?

I don’t think so.

I am going to go visit my friends on FaceBook.

I made good on my promise “not” to check business email while on vacation. This weekend, I waded through hundreds of email, most being obsolete already. Funny how little life an email has.

The trick is to ease back into my routine. The last thing I need to do is to let the problems and issues hit me hard and destroy the peace. Two week vacations really  refresh you. I highly recommend them.

This is a time of reflection for me. I almost consider this to be the beginning of a new year, at least professionally. I want to change some things, learn new management strategies, and make more of an impact.

I have my goals printed out next to my computer. I think I will read them, because vacation has seemed to purge most of of professional memory.

Have a great Monday.

“If I am making $15 an hour and my employer changes it to a salary what would the annual difference be?”

Assume your employer does a straight conversion, your weekly pay will be $600, monthly pay, $2,600, and your annual salary, $31,200.

Your annual income would not change. Even if your employer offers to bump up your salary $5000 to $36,200, it may not be a good deal.

When you are paid hourly, you must receive overtime pay when you work more than your 40 hour work week. So if you average 50 hours a week during the year, your salary could actually be more like $40,000.

When you are a salaried or “exempt” employee, you do not get paid overtime. If you average 50 hours a week, you still take home the same pay.

My advice to you is to ask for a raise that will compensate for any overtime you receive throughout the year. Look at your gross income on your tax return from last year, before it is adjusted. That will give you a rough idea on how much you made last year. Some of your income might not be reported as taxable. if you have your W2, it will tell you your salary.

Unfortunately, your employer may be looking to get more hours out of you and not pay for them. I have found that there is a perception that a “salaried” employee is some how more “legitimate.” That is simply not true.

I cover this topic more thoroughly in my post “Is It Better to Earn a Salary or Get Paid by the Hour?“

A little about Dan:

Dan has been a practitioner in the field of leadership development for over 20 years. He is currently the Manager of Leadership and Management Development at a Fortune 500 company, selected as a “Great Place to Work” and “Training Top 125″ company. He is married, has two daughters, and an old lab named Annie.

Here it is: Great Leadership

Welcome Dan.

The best place to stay in Cape May, New Jersey just got better. This serves as both a review and recommendation. Last year, we decided to take a chance and abandon our condos up in the northern end of the beach for a smaller place on the historic Jackson Street. It was called Finley’s place - Apartment 3. The house was built in the late1800s and is now converted into several units.

Harry Kulkowitz and Vickie Seitchik, the founders of the popular, Mad Batter restaurant, sold Apartment #3 to Charles and Leslie Kelly several months after our week in Cape May. The Kelly family vacationed at 41 Jackson Street for 18 years. Their dream of owning their own place came true in the fall of 2007.

As we arrived for our second year at 41 Jackson Street, my wife opened the door and her jaw dropped (along with my two oldest daughters). The apartment was completely transformed. The old kitchen at the back of the unit was now a bedroom. The bedroom where the girls slept was now a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a wonderful island. Walls and doors were moved to fix the awkward flow of the old apartment.

The Kellys did a phenomenal job creating the best place to stay in Cape May. 41 Jackson Street is located a block from the main beach and a block from the Washington Mall (shopping and restaurants), which was rededicated the day we arrived. I wasn’t too thrilled with what they did to the mall. All of the nice older trees were gone, replaced by small new ones.

It has been wonderful sitting on our front porch watching all of the vacationing people, young and old walk by. Bikers cruising down the street, the smell of seafood, cool breezes, and meeting our neighbors have made it feel like a home away from home once again.

It is always so peaceful here. We can walk to the coffee shop and the Patisserie in the morning. We walk to the grocery store and our favorite restaurants. We leave the van parked all week. My oldest son and I have our bikes with us this year.

Those who have made Cape May their beach of choice, know just how wonderful this town has become. This 387 year old ocean town, streets lined with beautifully restored Victorian homes has a special place in the hearts of my wife and me and our five children. Molly may only be 9 months old, but we can tell she likes it here as well.

This year is our twentieth wedding anniversary. When my wife and I got married, back in 1988, we were saving every penny to buy our first house. Instead of going to the Caribbean or Hawaii, we went to Cape May for our honeymoon, never dreaming that it would become our beloved summer haven.

We are thankful to be here once again. God has blessed us with awesome weather and an awesome place.