Bob Nelson - 1001 Ways to Energize Employees

PRAISE FOR 1001 WAYS TO ENERGIZE EMPLOYEES

We all know the power of a good story. A good example provides us with much the same. In 1001 Ways to Energize Employees, Bob Nelson has given us a resource that not only shows us what others have done to get the best from employees, but what we can do as well.

JACK CANFIELD, PRESIDENT, SELF-ESTEEM SEMINARS CO-AUTHOR, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Energized employees are a vital force in any successful organization. Bob Nelsons new book shows us how to unleash this power through a wealth of practical examples that are sure to inspire new heights of employee performance.

J.W. MARRIOT, JR., CHAIRMAN AND CEO, MARRIOT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Once again, Bob Nelson has cut through the smoke and mirrors, confusion, and double talk of an important area and given managers a useful tool kit. A must read.

RON ZEMKE, CO-AUTHOR, COACHING KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF SERVICE

Usually, I ignore books that claim 1001 anything. But as soon as I started reading Bob Nelsons new book, I found myself circling item after item that had great value for my work and my clients.

JOEL BARKER, PRESIDENT INFINITY LIMITED, INC., AUTHOR, PARADIGMS

I couldnt agree more with Nelsons findings, and his book backs them up with quick, usable ideas we should all consider.

HAL ROSENBLUTH, CEO, ROSENBLUTH INTERNATIONAL

Nelson has provided a catalogue of practical and do-able ideas and suggestions. Start anywhere in the book, but get started in enabling others to act.

BARRY Z. POSNER, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, LEAVEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

Bob Nelsons new book is filled with practical wisdom that can help any business become more energized, more successful, and yesmore fun!

MATT WEINSTEIN, FOUNDING PRESIDENT, PLAYFAIR, INC. AUTHOR, MANAGING TO HAVE FUN

This is a great book! It is a high performance handbook you can use to be a better manager in everything you do that affects other people.

BRIAN TRACY, PRESIDENT, BRIAN TRACY INTERNATIONAL, AUTHOR, ADVANCED SELLING STRATEGIES

BY BOB NELSON

Illustrations by Burton Morris

WORKMAN PUBLISHING NEW YORK

Copyright 1997 by Bob Nelson

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproducedmechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopyingwithout written permission of the publisher. Published simultaneously in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Limited.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

eISBN 9780761153528

Cover design by Lisa Hollander
Cover and interior illustrations by Burton Morris

Workman books are available at special discount when purchased in bulk for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising or educational use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Director at the address below or send an email to specialmarkets@workman.com.

Workman Publishing Company, Inc.
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4381
www.workman.com

Many thanks to the following for granting permission to use excerpts from their work:

Excerpts from Getting Employees to Fall in Love with Your Company by Jim Harris, Ph.D. Copyright 1996. Reprinted by permission of the author.

Excerpts from Eighty-Eight Assignments for Development in Place: Enhancing the Development Challenge of Existing Jobs by Michael M. Lombardo and Robert W. Eichinger. Copyright 1989. Reprinted by permission of Center for Creative Leadership, P.O. Box 26300, Greensboro, NC. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from Values for the 90s by Tom Peters. Copyright 1995. Reprinted by permission of Tom Peters Fast Forward.

To managers everywhere who arent afraid to try new ideas to get the best from others and themselves.

It takes many to pull together a good book. First Id like to thank the hundreds of individuals who have sent me items from their companies to use in this book. Im also grateful to David Witt, who assisted with extensive research for the project; Michele Jansen, who helped review that research as well as hundreds of business periodicals looking for appropriate items for inclusion; and my very good friend of 27 years, Peter Economy, who played such an integral role in bringing this manuscript to fruition.

Id also like to thank:

Ken and Margie Blanchard, cofounders of Blanchard Training and Development in San Diego, California, who have supported my efforts to publish resources to help managers.

My doctoral committee at the Claremont Graduate UniversityDon Gresinger, Harvey Wichman, and Joe Maciariellofor their support and for their discussions of the concepts and theories that relate to this work.

Workman Publishing and all the great people there whom Ive had a chance to work with recently and over the last few years, including Peter Workman, Sally Kovalchick, Margot Herrera, Jenny Mandel, Andrea Glickson, Bert Snyder, Pat Upton, Carolan Workman, Saundra Pearson, Carbery OBrien, Ellen Morganstern, Steve Tager, Janet Harris, Mary Kelly, Craig Hassler, Lisa Hollander, Lori S. Malkin, Annye Camara, and many others.

Other individuals who have been of great help and support to me in my professional life in recent years include my assistant, Julie Hemming; my newsletter publisher, Marilyn Harrison; my publicists, Patti Danos and Cynthia Kazan; and my agents, Margret McBride and Kenn Voegele.

Finally, I am ever so grateful for the ongoing love and support of my familyJennifer, Daniel, Michelle, and Peggyfrom whom Ive stolen time to work on this project.

We like things fast. We dont have time to study. The world is changing so rapidly that by the time we learn something, it has often changed in some way, shape, or form. We want information in small bites, fat-free doses that will give us a boost to a new level until the next new idea comes along. At the same time, we want satisfaction, proof that even though life is moving quickly, we are gaining on it and we are making a difference.

Well, help has finally arrived in the form of 1001 Ways to Energize Employees. A long overdue collection of ideas from people who have done simple things to make this high-speed race a little more manageable.

Bob has spared us from new theories, models, or paradigms, instead offering us insight into most energizing techniques that managers in companies across America are successfully using today. He cuts to the heart of the matter, giving us ideas that have worked for others and will work for you if you take the time to give them a try.

Organizations need energized people. Open-book management, employee empowerment, continuous improvement, participative management, and self-directed work teams are all concepts that seek to energize employees by making them a more integral part of the workplace. Bob has researched the most practical elements of these concepts and put them into a form that makes sense and that can be put to use right away.