Profit, Growth and Happy Employees

My company was conducting a brand assessment for a client and we uncovered very deep, serious morale issues that their employees were up in arms about. It seems the employees felt unappreciated, under-compensated and looked down upon, and many were totally disengaged.

At first, that seemed crazy because this company was profitable, they were growing and they were well-known (positively). But just because you're profitable, it doesn't mean your employees are engaged.

The Roman Empire did pretty well for centuries by conquering people and putting them to work under their control. I'm guessing Rome's conquered peoples probably would have filled out surveys that were scathing toward "management."

So, how can a company be so profitable, yet have a situation like this?

Most likely, they must have one tremendous product, service or process--some brilliant concept that has allowed them to succeed despite facing this push-back from employees. And, very possibly, this company doesn't communicate well internally. They assume employees understand why they are doing what they are doing. Obviously there is quite a void in that area.

From our view, that company had a lot of good things going for them and would do even better if they tackled this problem with the same genius they did when they started the company with their brilliant ideas years ago.

Barry LaBov
www.labov.com
LaBov & Beyond