Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Sincere appreciation.


A typical housewife turns full time business isn't going to be easy! Madam x lost her husband a few years back and her only son met an accident a year ago passed away too. The family left her a sizable sundry shop to manage. Without choice she has to take care of it alone, so that she could move on her life with another young daughter. The entire family happened to be my clients.

There are a lot of hardship and obstacles facing Madam x in the shop. Every time when i visited her, she used to complain and drew her sorrow over her business problems. Though she had intention to giving up the business several times, i managed to motivate her to stay. According to her, the most difficult task is to get along with the several working staffs in the shop. She would be complaining the workers were over jealous of her instant wealth after her husband's death, and many of them were not prepared to take her instruction as a boss. The feedback from the workers, they were unhappy with her bossy attitude and behaviour. To me is like 'chicken and egg's story'.

With much stress the lady boss seek my brotherly advices and assistance to remedy the worsening relationship between workers and employer. As a closed friend i have to be direct with her. This was what i told her... Please forget your role as a housewife. You are no longer one anymore but as a business lady from today. A housewife takes charge of a home. She can nag and nag all day long or shout and yell to get the attention from her family members. Not a business person! A good boss has to do things right for her workers, so that they are willing to work. You have three options to apply on the employees. First option is to use threat and warning. Meaning, sack those who are not performing. Or second option is to raise salary for immediate result from workers. Or the last option is to offer sincere love, care and concern. I suggested the last option as ideal and most applicable.

I didn't know my suggestion motivated the lady boss. The next day she had a short briefing with the staffs. She spoke with her heart these words..."I am sorry for not being an understanding boss. Please forgive my wrong doing in the recent past. If i had hurt your feeling in anyway, please accept my sincere apologises. Please help me to run our shop together. I know you have been good and dedicated workers. Lets forget the past wrongs and work ahead to see the success of our business." Some of them cried while listening. They felt so touched and promised they would do their level best.

Conclusion: Love always has magic whenever we are willing to give. Sometimes all we need is a little appreciation. At the same time, let us not forget to appreciate others around us.

Food for thought - "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us" - Albert Schweitzer

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