Having set up various daily in-box updates, Seth Godin’s is one that is worth a peek each time. (sethgodin.typepad.com)
Short, snappy and to the point, this author of such books as; ‘Tribes: We Need You to Lead us’ / ‘Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing Out of Sync?’ / ‘Small is the New Big’ – to name but a few, always has a pithy comment to make…
The three elements of full employment (Friday 9 October 2009)
You will never be out of work if you can demonstrably offer one of the following:
- Sales
- Additive effort
- Initiation
Sales speaks for itself. If you can sell enough to cover what you cost and then some, there will always be someone waiting to hire you.
Additive effort is distinguished from bureaucracy or feel-good showing up. Additive effort generates productivity far greater than the overhead you add to the organization. If your skills make the assembly line go twice as fast, or the sales force becomes more effective, or the travel office cuts its costs, then you’ve produced genuine value. That surly receptionist at the doctor’s office–she’s just filling a chair.
The third skill is the most difficult to value, but is ultimately the most valuable. If you’re the person who can initiate useful action, if you’re the one who makes something productive or transformative happen, then smart organizations will treasure you.
