Why your company must have a designated nudge

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., where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online through automation. Attend Dr. Lant's live webcast TODAY and receive 50,000 free guaranteed
visitors to the website of your choice! Republished with author's permission by Dallas Cousins http://FunEasyHomeBiz.com.