In the constantly changing world of Call Centers, asking agents to adapt to ever increasing demands, responsibilities and performance can be a challenge to even the most involved of managers. Being able to create buy in is always challenging, but if you can answer the WIIFM question you will be ahead of the game.
While some people may think that the WIIFM question is selfish and self serving, I want to challenge that notion. Very few of us are willing to be completely altruistic in our daily endeavors. We hold down jobs and invest in careers for diverse reasons but the bottom line is that the work we do provides us the means to live the way we choose. When we can no longer see the WIIFM because we are bogged down in the challenges of our daily tasks, we no longer feel compelled to perform those tasks.
So, let me ask you a few questions. Why do you work? Is the work you do important to you or is it just the means to a different end? Do your goals include continuing to do the job you are currently in or do you intend to make a career change? How does the job you're performing now fit into your goals? In other words "What's in it for you?"
Now that you have thought about your WIIFM answers how can you provide the WIIFM for the people that work for you? I know that in a busy Call Center getting to know every employee's hopes and aspirations can be difficult at best. However, giving them the tools to ask and answer their own WIIFM questions can lead to a happier and more productive agent. When discussing new policies, coaching for better performance, or talking about the direction of the organization?keep in mind "what is in it for me (them)." They may not know the answer or they may not be able to see it during the discussions. Giving them the opportunity to ask the question or giving them examples of the WIIFM can make accepting change, or receiving coaching easier.
Actually, WIIFM is just another way to motivate your people that may or may not consist of monetary goals. Not everyone in your employment is motivated by more money, or it may not be their primary motivator. For example, I am completely motivated by praise. I can go a long way on an "atta girl". If you get specific about why and where you think I am doing a good job, I will double my efforts to be valued, appreciated and praised. I will even ask for praise when I need it. However, when I work in a situation where I don't feel valued or appreciated, all the money in the bank won't keep me satisfied. Do you know what motivates your employees to perform? Can your employees answer that question for you?
When your employees see the WIIFM they can make informed decisions about their contributions. It provides focus and can create target goals to strive for. Answering the WIIFM question can alleviate fears and frustration, help employees navigate change and even provide a reason to excel. If you could help every employee ask and answer the "what's in it for me?" question would it make your job easier? Would it give you the tools you needed to provide better motivational messages, contests, and benefits? Could helping your employees understand "what's in it for me" improve productivity, retention, or employee satisfaction? WIIFM can work for you; all you have to do is ask the right questions.
If you are interest in leadership theory and practices then you need to visit: http://www.righttolead.com. Carole Sue Jones is a contributing writer and thinker for our organization. In addition, as a leader you may be interested in http://www.righttolead.com.
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..According to the Oxford Dictionary of Current English, to speak... Read More
A tight knit team is a group of competent individuals... Read More
The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many firms.It's... Read More
The people in your team may feel a bit uncomfortable... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Young minds are quite easy to shape. International Terrorist recruiters... Read More
For a brief time, I tried to sell life insurance.... Read More
The Fantasy: Your marketing budget is packed to the brim... Read More
When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More
Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments illustrated a parallel... Read More
The ability to build effective teams is a must for... Read More
To be a success is not always to be a... Read More
12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their... Read More
Team Building Question:A team is full of animosity, pretended interpersonal... Read More
The rise of the internet has given businesses a new... Read More
Have you seen the tee-shirt with the slogan, "Talk to... Read More
When leaders, consultants and managers require ideas, they automatically tend... Read More
More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else... Read More
"Asking questions can be a means of establishing authority, fulfilling... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
Why do we human beings complicate things? Is it that... Read More
So much has been written on this subject; Team Work,... Read More
Team Building Question:Our office has recently learned that about 20... Read More
Any x by y matrix plan has one big risk...... Read More
Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More
residential cleaning services Deerfield ..Do you remember how you felt after your last interaction... Read More
Team Building Question:A team is full of animosity, pretended interpersonal... Read More
In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More
It's all about focusing on where the best value in... Read More
It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More
Recently while waiting for our lunch to be served in... Read More
Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those... Read More
Workplace safety is important to all businesses for ethical, legal... Read More
It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More
Survival: The Name of the New Economic Game People rarely... Read More
You're at a meeting with key staff. You want some... Read More
Teams don't have to be aligned with the goals of... Read More
So much has been written on this subject; Team Work,... Read More
Proactive High Performance Teamwork is made up of nine proactive... Read More
In the constantly changing world of Call Centers, asking agents... Read More
The other day I got a call from a friend... Read More
Once you've set a goal for yourself as a leader... Read More
Perhaps you're a small business owner wondering how you and... Read More
I declared a Communications Major two years into school, after... Read More
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
Let's look at the detail of giving feedback. Whether you... Read More
Internal business structures have been radically transformed over the past... Read More
Franchisors should also be heavy on the award side of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Team Building |