"The excellent companies are marked by very strong cultures,
so strong that you either buy into their norms or get out. There's no halfway house."
Tom Peters & Robert Waterman

In Search of Excellence

Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity is understanding that the first time you accept mediocrity is the last time you will see excellence. Growing and retaining quality self motivated employees will be the key to success in the new millennium. YK2 compliance will be the least of your concerns if you are still working with "non-compliant" marginal employees. Zero Tolerance says that managers have respect and empathy for the employee ... while expecting them to perform to the best of their abilities....and never let them settle for less.

In this highly interactive and energetic program Rick will demonstrate the logic of the three basic principles of Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity.

Talk to any MBA student and he or she will tell you that there are two styles of management Theory X and Theory Y. Under Theory X management, it is assumed that if brains were gunpowder, then the average employee couldn't blow his nose.

Theory Y managers seek open communications, invite employee participation and feedback while providing clear direction and enough empowerment to grow and make mistakes if necessary. The Zero Tolerance manager comes from Theory Y and says that you respect and have empathy for the employee ... while expecting them to perform to the best of their abilities....and never let them settle for less. Zero Tolerance says that the manager (or the work team itself) sets the expectations and passes them on in such a way that people know the expectations are not punitive but not arbitrary or debatable either. "When you join the team, you understand that you have to live up to these expectations or you are not a part of the team."

Managers can lead people into excellence and self pride by coaching them to understand their best is the only thing that is acceptable and that "we expect everyone on this team to excel."

Three Basic Principles of Zero Tolerance

1. You can never not lead. Your employees watch your feet not your lips. Managers must be aware that they set the culture for the entire organization in every action they take.
2. Do unto your employees as you would have them do unto your customers. In word and in action the leader must recognize that the most important people that come through the doors of the business each day are the employees that make the business operate. We long ago discovered that the lowest paid employee can run off more business that the highest paid employee can bring in.
3. Never Settle! It is possible to expect " Unreasonable Results" when we give people an " Unreasonable Vision." Once the vision is established, nothing less can be acceptable.

Presentation Method:

Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity is a results oriented program which utilizes a fast paced instructional format. The program features participant interaction, meaningful content, appropriate humor and specific examples rather than motivational generalities.

Recommended Participants:

Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity is directed toward business owners and managers. Front-line supervisors will appreciate and profit from Zero Tolerance for Mediocrity where there is upper management support for the principles of the program

Presentation Options:

• 45 minute; This option is an after-dinner style of presentation with very little group participation.
• 90 minute to 3 hour; This option features far more group participation and normally includes brief exercises and a workbook to help the participant see how the material may be applied.

"Our chief want in life is to find somebody who
will make us do what we know we can."
Ralph Waldo Emerson