That's one of those myths out there that employees have talked managers into. "How can you expect us to do the work when we don't have the right tools?"
Well grasshopper, I'll tell you why. Let me tell you a story about human nature. Take camping. I don't camp although I used to sail. Sailing is much like camping but with less bugs. Camping is where nobody has the right tools for anything, wants to do more of it, and thinks they're having fun. Treat work like you do camping. All the wrong tools, bad weather, but less bugs.
Tents aren't suitable to live in. Outdoor latrines aren't suitable for their intended purpose. Campfires aren't a great place to cook food. Ice boxes are moody and high maintenance. Lakes aren't the best place to swim. And sitting outside in the rain is not comfortable, and sleeping outside where bears sleep is dumb.
If you like camping, you'll love working here. We don't have the right tools for anything either but at least we're indoors.
Certainly I understand where equipment changes the system of production, output will increase. But research shows time and time again that where employees want to do something they will improvise, do work arounds, and in a million ways adapt to the machines they're given. They will out perform others with newer equipment every time. Human nature will out think a machine because humans are survivors. A bad machine can't keep a good man down.
At home, kitchen knives have bent ends where they were used as screwdrivers. The wooden potato masher has mail marks in it where we've used it as a hammer. People drive a new mattress home from the store on their car roof, no roof rack, no rope, just one big arm out the window holding it down. Beer is opened with the teeth. I could go on but why not just watch America's Funniest Home Videos for a display of people using and abusing the wrong tools.
Grasshopper, giving you the right tools at work would throw your whole world out of balance. It's not who you are or how you live! From now on, out of respect to our employees and the real world we all live in, none of our equipment will be that great. Just like camping.
If you've read this far, you'll know I'm kidding just a little, but I also have a point. New tools don't always outperform old tools. Lance Armstrong's book is entitled, "It's not about the bike," because he knows the Tour de France is won by the cyclist, not the bike.
Join us for Sept. 15th. A seminar about human nature. About getting all your people on board even if you have old or incomplete tools to do the job. Work is based on the human spirit, not on new tools. It's not about the bike.
See you for breakfast,
Wolfgang
A.) Seminar: Sept. 15th, time 8:01 am, "I love my job, I hate you." Building a no jerk workplace. Interpersonal management skills. Both managers and key employees will find this useful. Location Kit's Beach, Vancouver. The big crab, Planetarium. Reserve now. Annual memberships or individual tickets at $135.
B.) The way you treat people of unknown social status, - is exactly the person you are.
C.) Inside sales, prospecting, business development sales people candidates. We have several B2B inside, junior sales and service sales types. Reason, there's been a demand by small business for low cost revenue generation staff. Ask for candidates if you're interested.
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