Can we get an “amen” for fundamentals?
Big Red Car here while The Boss is hanging loose in Steamboat. So, I got together with a cute Mercedes Benz from the next block over. She’s a diesel and I like exotic cars, so we had a chat. Her boss owns a business which he started and grew from a gleam in his eye.
“What’s the secret to your owner’s success, attractive MB?”
“He understands, sticks to, and executes on the fundamentals.”
“Can you give me an idea of a specific one?”
“Sure, Big Red Car, how about performance appraisal?”
“OK, tell me.”
“He does his performance appraisals for his senior folks — the only people he personally appraises — between Christmas and New Years. They’re in writing. He obtains input before he begins the process. He has a fact-to-face initial meeting to present it and then a follow up after the “victim” has had a chance to absorb it and he always takes compensation action at the same time.”
“Wow,” I said, “that sounds like a fundamentally sound approach.”
“Yes, most importantly, he’s been doing it every year for more than twenty years.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes, my boss ensures the big questions get asked and answered:
1. Should I expect to be fired in the next 90 days?
2. Should I expect to be fired in the next 12 months?
3. Should I expect to be promoted in the next 90 days?
4. Should I expect to be promoted in the next 12 months?
5. Is my compensation fair?”
“Wow,” I said, “I guess that smokes the issues out, no?”
“Yes, indeed, Big Red Car. Two more things. My guy also tells his people where they stand in regard to their peers and whether their performance has improved or slipped since the last performance appraisal. That’s always useful to know.”
“By the way, Big Red Car, has anyone ever told you that you’re a muscle car? I adore muscle cars, so fundamental.”
“This is a G rated blog, MB. Call me later.”
With that the cute MB and I were content to move on to other things with the knowledge the fundamentals can be found everywhere. Don’t be trying to inject the latest, pop-psych, business babble if you haven’t mastered the fundamentals.
But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car.
