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- Deere: "People-powered" for continuous improvement
John Deere said its 6,000 employees at its site in Waterloo, Iowa, have been a large part of its success. And the company works to get the talented workers it needs. It works with the local community college on curriculum design, gives back to the community and encourages volunteering. "All those machine tools? Our competitors can buy the same stuff. The difference is our folks. We know we have a competitive advantage because of that," said Thad Nevitt, factory manager of the site. Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Iowa)
(1/31)     
| Industry Buzz | | |
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- Diversification can keep your company alive
Some landscapers that offer snow removal services in Janesville, Wis., have diversified to keep their business afloat during weird weather spells, from drought to lack of snow. Todd Elrod, co-owner of Nature's Touch, finds that the company's garden center and landscaping services help when grass cutting and plowing don't fare well. Similarly, Joe Paniagua of Joe Paniagua Enterprises, finds that offering landscaping, mowing, plowing and salting services can keep him busy year-round. The Janesville Gazette (Wis.)
(1/31)
| Economic Indicators | | |
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- Initial unemployment claims edge up in U.S.
First-time jobless claims in the U.S. rose 38,000, to 368,000 in the week that ended Jan. 26, the Labor Department said. Economists anticipated 345,000 initial claims. The four-week rolling average viewed by many economists as giving a more accurate picture of labor market conditions rose only 250. Google/Agence France-Presse
(1/31)
| Inside & Out | | |
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- How company leaders can encourage innovation
Ideas from lower-level employees can be key to successful innovation, writes Erik Sherman, drawing from a Harvard Business Review blog post. "Use only the insiders and you greatly limit the new combinations of ideas and experiences that you need because those people become used to each other," he writes. But employees won't be able to innovate if they aren't allowed time to do so, Sherman writes. Inc. online (free registration)/Techtown blog
(1/28)
- 3 reasons you shouldn't flip out
Too many bosses throw epic tantrums when things don't go their way, writes Scott Eblin. Freaking out will certainly get your workers' attention, but at the cost of lost productivity, a more toxic business culture, and a sharp decline in your employees' enthusiasm and energy. "When the freakout is an executive's go-to move, the people around him or her eventually disengage," Eblin warns. EblinGroup.com/Next Level Blog
(1/24)
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