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| Joe has written many memos and articles during his forty-five year business career. Here are a few that have been the most often requested: |
| "POLICIES & PROCEDURES" |
Over my forty-five (45) year career in the construction equipment business many "interoffice" and "policy" memos were developed and written. Three Ring Binders - Several decades back we began to use the "three-ring binder" management system. As each policy was defined and eventually put in writing we would three-hole punch it and place it in our "Policy" binder. If someone came up with a good idea, or a better system, it went into the binder, sometimes replacing what had been the standard procedure in the past. In this way, when someone new came into the organization, it was a simple matter to make them a copy of the "Policy" binder and after a bit of study they would be up-to-date on all our current policies and procedures. Believe me, without this system, it would have been difficult to remember and explain our rapidly changing policies and procedures, much less for anyone to absorb all those policies and procedures unique to our particular business. |
| "REQUESTS FOR DONATIONS" |
| Employee's try their best, but the persistent professional fund raisers eventually get to the boss, or the decision maker, who then must also spend valuable time trying to make a quick decision or get off the hook. Why spend valuable time listening to donation requests? Why offend potential customers, who happen to be fund raising, with slim excuses or aggravating stalls? Why not put your hard earned money in the charities that YOU prefer? By forming a "DONATION AND/OR CONTRIBUTION COMMITTEE" you can turn down requests for donations and not offend anyone! The Committee should consist of yourself, your manager and at least one employee whose judgement you trust. The Committee should meet once each quarter to decide which, if any, donation request should be acted upon. Only written requests should be considered by the Committee. Each request should be placed in a file folder and the accumulated requests reviewed once each quarter at some convenient time - such as before your Safety Meeting. An arranged percentage or a specific amount should be set aside and the Committee should not exceed that amount for any reason. Then when requests are received you and your employees can use a "MEMORIZED RESPONSE": THE REQUEST: "A donation or contribution." MEMORIZED RESPONSE:
contributions. Each request must be in writing and turned in to our "Contribution Committee". They meet once each quarter to consider ALL the requests. I can't guarantee that your request will be approved, but I can guarantee that each request will be considered. So, if you will send in a WRITTEN REQUEST to our Committee, it will be considered." This response eliminates the "passing of the buck", the "wait a minute and I'll get the boss", the duplication of excuses, and the offending of legitimate requesters. Companies using the "Contribution Committee" system report less than fifteen percent (15%) of the requesters actually send in written requests. With this system you have not offended anyone, have cut requests by eighty-five percent (85%) and are contributing to the charities that you prefer. Less time will be spent by you and your employee's discussing requests. Requests for the sponsoring of ball teams, etc. could also be included under "donation requests" and not under advertising requests. |
| Some of most requested Memos written by Joe Baker were those that covered "Memorized Responses": |
MEMO'S by Joe Baker |
