June 2020 - 21

DIRTY SECRETS
or somewhere else) with some general info about her where
everyone can get to know what makes Mrs. Jones tick. Watch her
face light up or hear her thrilled voice when an employee she's
never worked with knows her name! It's a win-win for everyone!
Productivity Matters More than Ever Now
As a business right now, if you have any fingernails left,
it's a wonder to behold. We're all scrambling to keep the
flow and our heads above water. So, how can you possibly
monitor productivity right now? Is it simply sales and
moving product? Of course, that's a valuable 99% focus
right now, but I'd also say that if you're not being crystal
clear about accountability and goals for your team, even
a group of bright, capable, motivated people can get offtrack
easily.
Has this ever happened to you? You meet with your team
to discuss a pesky issue. Everyone nods when you ask if
you've come to an agreement and a course of action. Then
they walk out of the room. The problem is that everyone
leaving that room is at a different level of alignment, some
higher than others. But you won't know that until days
or weeks down the road when results aren't achieved. As
you're doing a post-mortem on the situation, you discover
the team was never really aligned in the first place.
The answer? Start making FAST strategic training videos
on the fly! Don't overthink it, don't try to make it perfect;
just make it:
F=Frequent
A=Accurate info
S=Strategic
T=Timely
Video has never been a more proactive and easy
training tool. You can send them out via text, email or
even a Facebook group for your team. Be sure to ask your
employees what type of learner they see themselves as; this
is very helpful in how you approach each topic video. If you
take this " storytime videos " method and tie it in to specific
customer situations, it sinks in even more. It's relatable for
the employee and for the results you're trying to achieve.
This simple method gives you the ability to address
individual learning methods. Some people are hands-on
learners, so maybe your training video requires them to
pick up, feel, inspect, etc., certain plants, tools and so on,
then you can check with them to test that they DID in fact
go to see, feel, and experience XYZ plants or process and
experience it for themselves.
Others might be visual learners who will get the info in an
instant through video. And auditory learners will be able to
play specific directives over and over again and take notes.
No matter which way you decide to follow up with your
employees once they have access to a quickie training video
(less than 10 minutes is ideal), it's much easier to track
your success with training. Make your key results from
training videos the three Ms: Memorable (goofy and funny
are the best!), Meaningful (relatable to the customers they
know, but easy to adapt to new ones), and Measurable
(super simple follow up).
Boss, Coach, Parent Figure? Yup!
Coaching on particular challenges as a group is also
important when it comes to training. Though I am not a fan
of role playing during a team meeting approach because
I don't believe it brings out the best in individual learning
styles and, frankly, it just makes even extroverts feel put
on the spot, I do believe in the crowdsourcing approach to
problem solving.
When a team is trying to achieve something, there are
always unanticipated obstacles. Everyone must move into
problem solving mode quickly and everyone must be on
board. Why not throw the issue out via a quick video and
get immediate input from the entire team on a problem?
Responding via group chat can ensure that everyone feels
comfortable opening up about answers and options where
they may not be in person. In-the-moment feedback keeps
everyone connected and engaged. Everyone can see each
other's impact on key results and provide constructive
reactions. Employees both new and experienced need
recognition for their contributions. Likewise, as a leader, you
can see if everyone is aligned to " take the hill " or have each
other's back.
Using these FAST videos can help you develop a
stronger team culture and get better at applying personal
accountability to every situation. It empowers people at all
levels of an organization to mentor one another on what
matters most for that day, week, month or season. And if
you're paying attention, it will teach you on the go how to be
the best type of leader for your organization.
Christina Salwitz, the Personal Garden Coach, is a container
designer, public speaker, horticultural guidance counselor, service
provider for The Garden Center Group and photojournalist
based in Renton, Washington. She can be reached at
personalgardencoach@comcast.net.
LGRMAG.COM | 21
http://www.LGRMAG.COM
June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2020
