by Dr. Jeffrey Lant
Did you know your company has a open position which needs to be filled at once?
The absence of this person is costing you money every single day. That’s why
you cannot wait another minute to fill this vital post.
To help understand what this position is all about, let’s start at the
dictionary:
Nudge (nuj) v. nudged, nudging. v. t. To touch or push gently as with the
elbow, in order to attract attention, convey a meaning, etc. v.i. To give a
nudge. n. The act of nudging; a gentle push as with the elbow. Norw. nugga,
push.
Frankly, I think the original Norwegian ("nugga") has it right: push. The
nudge is your company’s designated representative to push employees and
associates for more and faster results.
Why you need a nudge
Let’s face it, you’re human. You try to set goals. You try to reach them in the
time provided. You try to do more and better, right?
But somehow you fall behind, miss deadlines, bobble opportunities, trip and
crash when you should be sprinting ahead. Isn’t that about the size of it?
Which is why you need a designated nudge.
In a nutshell the job of the nudge is to
* check progress on existing projects and objectives
* ask how you are getting on with what needs to be done
* remind you what needs to be done and when it must be done
* offer incentives for achievement
* make it clear what happens when achievement is not forthcoming
And, in general, spur, motivate, challenge, chide — and push.
The nudge must be organized, efficient, focused, indefatigable, with a thick
skin
Only a person of the utmost efficiency, clarity and organization can be a
nudge. After all, a nudge who falters and fails is hardly going to make a
success of the position, much less deliver the benefits you have every right to
expect.
Beyond such skills, the nudge must be a person who, above all, has a thick skin
and who doesn’t take things personally.
Nudges are often regarded as people butting in where they are not wanted…
perfectionists in an imperfect world… annoying, interfering, pests; in short
not the most welcome of creatures.
That’s why two things are absolutely necessary for the successful nudge: a
thick skin and immunity for whatever they say.
The necessity for immunity
A nudge by definition pushes other employees… and must therefore be protected
from the comments and reactions of all employees.
Consider this typical situation:
Nudge: Mary, as you know your monthly sales figures are a little off. What are
you planning to do to get back on track?
I guarantee you that Mary is not likely to be very happy when the nudge drops
by with this message. However, that is the nudge’s job: to get Mary back on
track ASAP, to enable both Mary and the company to achieve their clearly
understood goals.
Mary may well be inclined to respond with a "get out of here. I am fully
capable of handling this matter myself" comment.
But she cannot and must not.
The nudge’s job is to remind Mary of what needs to be done, when it needs to be
done, what Mary is doing to achieve the objective, and to give Mary all
appropriate help and directions, right up to and including warnings and
admonitions.
The nudge is constantly in motion and may appear anywhere, at any time.
By definition, a nudge cannot be a stationary object; the nudge must constantly
be
* connecting with employees * reviewing their progress * making suggestions *
focusing employees * recommending what must be done and when it must be done.
The nudge must be supremely well organized and must have a clear daily "to do"
list.
This means
* knowing who must be contacted today
* calling and emailing such people (including follow-up e-mails after all
meetings).
* re-focusing employees, tweaking, adjusting, reminding.
The nudge is a creature in constant motion…
* prodding Joe
* complimenting Neal
* chiding Sally
being clear on what each needs to achieve… and working with each and all to
achieve those objectives.
Start today
There isn’t a company on this earth which wouldn’t be better off having a
designated nudge on staff. That’s why you must start today.
* Review the nudge candidates you have. Who is best equipped to contact each
and every employee and representative to improve results?
* The nudge must be in constant communication with employees AND with
management.
* The nudge’s conduct and mode of operation must be reviewed at regular
intervals. Remember your Lord Acton: "power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts
absolutely." You must ensure that your nudge doesn’t develop arrogance and "big
head" problems, which can easily occur without periodic intervention and
oversight.
Review the nudge’s results
A nudge who understands and is good at this job is a godsend to any company.
After all, nudges are clear on what is likely to deliver better results:
* allowing employees to go their own ways without regular oversight and
reminding, or
* having to report progress (or lack of same) to a designated representative
whose task is to get people to produce more in a designated period of time?
Obvious, isn’t it?
And so we come back to the original Norwegian word "nugga", meaning push. The
nudge is your company’s secret weapon, who by simply showing up and pushing and
prodding employees will achieve better results day after day.
Cherish nudges, for they are a source of endless benefits to you and your
organization. Far too many employees are slow, slothful, disorganized,
inefficient. Apply the magic of the nudge to the solution of these problems and
deficiencies. The results will most assuredly please you!
About The Author
Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of
Worldprofit, Inc., www.worldprofit.com where
small and home-based businesses learn how to
profit online. Attend Dr. Lant’s live webcast
TODAY and receive 50,000 free guaranteed
visitors to the website of your choice! For details
on Dr. Lant’s 18 best-selling business books,
go to www.jeffreylant.com
