Clocking On

The academic year is now in full swing and this week for most, observes the first half-term break of the year.

Christmas is hovering just on the horizon but so is a long overdue Au Revoir! But let’s not dwell or even mention the ‘B’ word that is due to manifest ‘sometime’ this century!

So, heading swiftly ‘back to school’, have you ever contemplated why most pupils are eager to return after their Autumn break, whilst teachers and supporting staff are less than, how shall we say, ‘enthusiastic’ about clocking on.

Hmm, the world of work, sometimes it’s about as attractive an option as meeting Jeremy Corbyn at the First Dates restaurant! Stuffy, tedious, regimented routines to look forward to, the same old, same old. A titanic effort is often obligatory in order to muster up the ‘zing’ required to take you through to the welcome sound of the 5.00pm klaxon!

Somewhere in between “school’s out” for good and the real graft begins, a dissatisfied worker appears…… and that’s just the boss!

All jokes aside, shouldn’t we expect to welcome ‘clocking on’, after all, we spend more time on the shop floor than we do anywhere else. This leads us to the question “who exactly is responsible for our workplace bliss” the Line Manager, the ‘Big Boss’, HR, ourselves or something else?

Maybe the ‘something else’ is what is missing from many shop floors.

The HR crew are traditionally the main port-of-call for all worker gripes but as with everything, having the appropriate processes in-situ in the first place, not only helps but makes an enormous difference.

Employees that are granted more responsibility and freedom of choice regarding shifts, flexible/remote working options, training and progression are, in the main, likely to be more content.

Happy workforce = increased productivity

Just maybe, the crucial element to true workplace happiness doesn’t lie primarily in the salary that’s earned but, in the opportunities available, opportunities to learn and grow.

School’s out doesn’t = learning stops

Whatever the workforce age there is always something new to be mastered. By observing the eagerness displayed by school children, who like sponges, happily soak up fresh ideas and new learning, we understand that different ventures should be embraced and not feared within the workplace.

With the times that now lie ahead and with the imminent onset of AI and digital transformation this has never been more crucial.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software suite, the only Biometric Time and Attendance system that you will ever need in order to facilitate all your Time Management requirements for your own ‘classroom’.

If you are interested in a Biometric Time Management solution for your workforce, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today and take advantage of a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Laissez-Faire vs Autocratic

With the 2020 Euro qualifiers now in full swing the England campaign under Gareth Southgate’s quiet, gentle leadership is as steady as ever. Since taking over the England reins, he’s emerged as the ‘Big Brother’ of the squad and that’s not only apparent with his laid-back approach to the line-up but also his backroom staff.

Is a Laissez-Faire style of management developing within the England camp?

Laissez-Faire, ah yes, the old ‘hands off ‘minimal micro-management, no daily meeting approach. Apple’s Steve Jobs was a committed believer…..apparently.

French for “leave alone” Laissez-Faire is to all intent and purposes the position to adopt if a ‘leave in peace’ method is required. It’s the most agreeable tactic to assume, so long as you’re happy allowing your line-up the freedom to rock out and be C R E A T I V E.

But does this mean that traditional management styles are no longer essential for success, have they become an out-of-date, unnecessary waste of time?

Like the ‘Beautiful Game’, are managers switching tactics at half-time if their time-tested leadership method is failing, particularly on the next generation of workers?

Let’s look at the top 5 recognised management styles.

Coaching
A coach identifies strengths, weaknesses and is effective at setting goals for the team. They understand how everyone on their team ‘ticks’ and recognises that everybody has something different to bring to the table.

The Visionary
A visionary will drive and inspire others, will always be looking ahead and will be creative with fresh ideas and concepts. A manager who looks at the bigger picture and how notions can be transformed for the better whilst understanding that new ideas take time to be perfected. Focus is given to the end prize not the current position.

Servant
Servant leaders are people-minded and invest heavily in personal development. They are particularly good with employee well-being, morale and satisfaction. Amiable, caring and agreeable whilst seeing both sides of the argument.

Autocratic/Authoritarian
The dreaded military style leader is focused purely on results and efficiency and will make decisions solo or with a small principle group. Workers subjected to this type of austere leadership believe they are just ‘a number’ and therefore not recognised as an individual. The autocratic leader usually sees the cost to the company and not the person behind it.

Democratic
A democratic leader will always ask for input. A manager who not only recognises that others have voices and opinions worth listening to but who is open to constructive criticism and who welcomes a two-way street approach within meetings, which, as every leader worth their salt recognises, is valuable.

Whatever management style you choose to adopt for your ‘squad’ Ceequel® Biometric Time and Attendance Management software will not only help you deliver the results that you require for your entire workforce but maintain and sustain them.

ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® software, reliable, steady, always developing and constantly improving.

For a closer look at Ceequel® contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.