Satisfied and Motivated Employees Create Satisfied and Loyal Customers Essay Example for Free

Satisfied and Motivated Employees Create Satisfied and Loyal Customers Essay Abstract In Corporate America, organizations vie to maintain their competitive advantage within their perspective industries. In the current economic downturn, organizations have come to rely heavily on the competitive advantage they receive from their employees, or human capital. Organizations are investing more of their funds towards satisfying and motivating employees in the hopes that these employees will create satisfied and loyal customers. To ensure employees are satisfied and motivated, organizations may recognize employee contributions with pay and a package of employee benefits. These forms of compensation work to ensure increased employee satisfaction and motivation, decreased voluntary turnover, and, therefore, the overall success of the entire organization. In Corporate America, organizations vie to maintain their competitive advantage within their perspective industries. In the current economic downturn, organizations have come to rely heavily on the competitive advantage they receive from their human capital. Human capital is defined as â€Å"an organization’s employees, described in terms of their training, experience, judgment, intelligence, relationships, and insight† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 3). Highly skilled and developed employees are an organization’s most valuable resource in the fight to maintain their competitive advantage. Therefore, organizations are investing more of their funds towards satisfying and motivating employees in the hopes that these employees will create satisfied and loyal customers. In an effort to satisfy and motivate employees, organizations may recognize employee contributions with various forms of compensation including pay and an employee benefits package, and through recognition pro grams. These forms of compensation and recognition work to ensure increased employee satisfaction and motivation, decreased voluntary turnover, and, therefore, the overall success of the entire organization. â€Å"If we take care of our employees, they will take care of our customers.† During the current economic downturn, many organizations have experienced decreased sales and profits. Many of those organizations responded with spending cuts, which included layoffs and decreased investments in employees. The restaurant chain, Texas Roadhouse, was not immune to the economic downturn and also experienced decreased sales. However, the chain did not respond with spending cuts aimed at employees. In fact, the chain continued its existing spending relative to employee satisfaction and motivation. The text indicates, â€Å"Spending to promote job involvement and organizational commitment remained intact† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 319). The decision to maintain spending relative to employee satisfaction and motivation reflects the chain’s commitment to their employees. The chain’s commitment to their employees has been best expressed by Texas Roadhouse Chief Executive Officer (CEO), G. J. Hart. Hart, who realizes the value his employees bring to the organization, has stated, â€Å"If we take care of our employees, they will take care of our customers† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 319). Hart’s phrase may seem like a common clichà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ in Corporate America; however, organizations focused on satisfying and motivating employees are actually gaining the competitive advantage that only their employees can provide. The text indicates, â€Å"Every organization recognizes that it needs satisfied, loyal customers. In addition, success requires satisfied, loyal employees† (Noe et al., p. 293). Texas Roadhouse is not alone in its commitment to its employees. SAS, a privately owned software company, is also highly committed to its employees. Bev Brown, who works in the company’s external communications department, indicates â€Å"People do work hard here, because they’re motivated to take care of a company that takes care of them† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 385). More organizations are beginning to realize the advantages associated with satisfying and motivating their employees. And, as the realization becomes more prevalent in Corporate America, more organizations will begin to demonstrate their commitment to their employees by offering generous rewards and recognition programs. Alternative Motivation Methods Their Effectiveness Texas Roadhouse uses money as a primary motivator for its employees. The chain holds a yearly competition to identify its best meat cutter, who is awarded $20,000. The chain’s managers are allotted $500 to host barbecues or outings for their employees. The chain also holds an annual motivational conference to recognize and reward its top performers. The text indicates, â€Å"The company invites about a thousand employees, managers, and vendors to bring their spouses to a four-day conference as a way to recognize and reward its best people† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 320). The retreat was costly; and, the chain’s CEO, Hart, was publicly criticized for such lavish spending. The text indicates, a reporter â€Å"†¦ criticized Hart for wasting $2 million on luxuries during lean times† (Noe et al., p. 320). However, Hart stood firm in his commitment to his employees as he replied that â€Å"†¦ the effort to inspire employees was precisely the kind of investment that enables his company to succeed† (Noe et al., p. 320). Texas Roadhouse’s strategy is certainly effective in ensuring they retain their top talent. The text indicates, â€Å"†¦ turnover among the company’s on-site recruiters tumbled by two-thirds after the company put in place a program to recognize and reward these employees† (Noe et al., p. 320). Pay is certainly a motivator for employees; however, organizations may also utilize employee benefits as a means of motivating employees. Employee benefits are â€Å"†¦ that part of the total compensation package, other than pay for time worked, provided to employees in whole or in part by employer payments† (Milkovich Newman, 2005). The text indicates that benefits serve functions similar to pay in that benefits â€Å"†¦ contribute to attracting, retaining, and motivating employees† (Noe et al., 2011, p. 384). For instance, SAS offers a generous employee benefit package as a means of ensuring their employees are satisfied and motivated. The company’s benefit package includes access to the on-site recreation and fitness center, a subsidized day care center and summer camp, and a subsidized cafeteria. The company has established an on-site lactation room for nursing mothers, and an on-site health care center for employees and their family members to have medical concerns addressed at no cost. The text indicates that these generous benefits are â€Å"†¦ part of a strategy to hire and keep the best people without paying top dollar in salaries† (Noe et al., p. 385). The SAS strategy is certainly effective in regards to ensuring the company retains its top talent. The text indicates, â€Å"Compared with 22 percent employee turnover in the industry, SAS reports turnover of just 2 percent† (Noe et al., p. 385). The SAS strategy is also effective in ensuring the company remains profitable. The text indicates that every year the company has been in business â€Å"†¦ it has turned a profit† (Noe et al., p. 385). Transferring the Texas Roadhouse Motivational Methods The Texas Roadhouse method of using pay to motivate its employees is certainly transferrable to other organizations in Corporate America. Organizations should demonstrate their commitment to their employees by offering competitive and rewarding pay and recognition programs. Doing so will ensure the organization has the ability to attract and retain top talent, which will provide the organization with a definite competitive advantage in their perspective industry. References Milkovich, G., Newman, J. (2005). Reward systems: Theory and administration. (8th ed., p. 400). Mc-Graw-Hill. Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., Wright, P. M. (2011). Fundamentals of human resource management. (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Wired Politics :: Internet Web Cyberspace Essays

The Internet is a unique global communications medium used today by billions of people all over the world. It is the same observation of Steve Case, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of America Online as reported in the article titled AOL Chairman: Web Shapes Politics, by Eun-Kyung Kim, an associated press writer for the Los Angeles Times. Steve Case stated that the Internet plays the role of a catalyst for real social and political change in a worldwide scale. One of its great strengths is the ease with which it spans the globe. Information flows as effortlessly from Washington to Russia as from one building to another in New York, and through five or more countries all in one day. No one can imagine that five years ago, the World Wide Web barely existed and that e was just the fifth letter of the alphabet. Case predicted that the times have changed and that the next U.S. president will launch the Internet Century and that it is the presidents job to make sure the era helps make lives better around the world. Case emphasized the importance of reinventing the governments policies on issues affected by a newly connected nation. Free expression on the Internet, if protected and maintained, enhances democracy, culture and economy not just in the United States but also in a global scale. The Internet is a democratizing medium, uniquely suited to the promotion of human rights, but threatened by governmental restrictions. These observations by Steve Case can be compared to Jon Katz article, The Netizen: Birth of a Digital Nation, where they both shared the same opinion on the issue concerning the publics right to know about information collected, disseminated and maintained by the government in order to increase public accountability and awareness. Unfortunately, in the United States, domestic policies have not been fully supportive of these rights. The US Congress has enacted censorship legislation attempting to control the content on the Internet and limit the freedom of communication through the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Fortunately for the new digital nation, these laws have been ruled unconstitutional by the courts yet members of Congress continue to press other restrictive measures and proposals. Both Case and Katz believe that government-mandated use o f blocking and filtering can restrict freedom of expression and limit access to information. Katz emphasized freedom on the Internet more than anything on his article.

Concert Review

Despite slavery legally ending in 1 865, African Americans still didn't have the same rights as white Americans. â€Å"Jazz was music that both black and white people could enjoy. By the 1 sass, jazz was growing in popularity and included influences from Europe as well as Africa† (Washington post). The Jazz Band featured a series of special guests such as Johnny Gonzales (Saxophone), Dennis Dotson (Trumpet), and Bobby Guess (Bass Trombone). High's Blues is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis.The primary instrumentalists were Jeff Lam with he Vibes, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ray Hills with the Piano, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. This piece's dynamic or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. The melody seemed to have been fairly conjunct with metered rhythm. The texture was apparently homophobic with a thick texture. Cantaloupe Island is a tune that was composed by Hancock. The primary instrumentalists were Each Outlander with the Trumpet and Tory Zimmerman with the Fullerton. The Fullerton is defined as a brass musical instrument like a cornet but with a mellower tone.The use of the Fullerton in this piece demonstrated the wide dynamic range the ensemble had. The dynamics or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. Candy Dancer is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis. The primary instrumentalists were Marcel Primes with the Bass, Michael Williams with the Piano, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. Horn of Pungent is a tune that was composed by Goodwin. The primary instrumentalist was Ashley Mowers with the Trumpet. This was one of the first solo performances that the band completed.The trumpet, being a brass musical instrument with a flared bell and a bright, penetrating tone, influenced the dynamic or volume of the piece to be fortissimo or very loud. The rhythm was also metered and the Timbre or quality of sound was very clear. Another piece t hat essentially managed to do the same thing was Top Dog. Top Dog is a tune that was composed by Yeastiness. The primary instrumentalist was Each Outlander with the Trumpet. Both solos demonstrated both virtuosity and expression, along with some humorous moments. Solo's serve to highlight performers' ability to playOff each other, while allowing his or her individual strength to shine through. Aaron's Blues is a tune that was composed by Chip McNeill. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Eel Baker, with the Alto Sax, Bobby Guess with the Bass Trombone, and Denny Willie with the Trumpet. This piece contained a strong melody with a Forte or loud dynamic. Magellan is a tune that was composed by Strongmen. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet, and Bob Peel with the Tenor Sax.This piece seemed to be a bit distinct or â€Å"jumping all over the place† because of the unusual instruments that w ere combined. For the most part, this piece's dynamic was fortissimo or very loud while the timbre or quality of sound was clear. Jeannine is a tune that was arranged by Taylor. The primary instrumentalists were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece reminded me of â€Å"Hot Jazz† that was played in Jazz Houses by imitators of New Orleans. There's Only So Much Oil in the Ground is a tune that was arranged by Tomato.The primary instrumentalists were Johnny Goggles with the Sax and Michael Williams with the Top Organ sounds. This piece seemed to be fortissimo or very loud. It seemed to be Polyphonic by containing multiple melodic lines of equal importance. Finally, Rock This Town is a tune that was arranged by Dave Wolfe. The primary instrumentalists Were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece was fortissimo or very loud. This piece also reminded me of the â€Å"swing† era where music was performed i n order to encourage dance. They called this era the â€Å"binge band RA†.

Social Work and Adult Health Care Essay - 1823 Words

Introduction Social work is a service that provides universalist services outside the market on the principle of need (Titmuss, 1974, p.146). It maintains welfare of the public, and its basic role in adult social care is to focus on individuals, families and communities, and to ensure their well-being. By doing so, social workers improve quality of life, and serve for betterment of the whole community, thus enabling a social change. Today, much of these social work services is guaranteed by social policies and laws, which ensure delivery of social care to different individuals. However, there are significant drawbacks in social work practice, and issues that need to be addressed by the public and by social workers themselves. This essay†¦show more content†¦It also operates on a larger scale by educating, engaging in social and political action to impact social policy (The International Federation of Social Workers, 2014, p.n.g.), and by involving the right people and organisations. A l egal framework for these services is based on the Health and Community Care Act 1990 and the Health and Social Care Act 2012. These acts define rights and responsibilities for social workers in adult social care and associated services. They state that local authorities are in charge of social care provisions, having relevant services at hand, and supplying adequate support (Department of Health, 2010). Section 47(1) of the Health and Community Care Act 1990 requires councils to provide assessment for potential social care and support, and to provide a suitable service to eligible individuals, according to section 4 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986. This shift in power from central to local authorities creates a market, where NHS trusts and other organisations provide services, and the local authorities choose and market these from their budgets. 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