Almost every company I have ever been invited to explore
has suffered from over employment. Whether so top heavy
bosses outnumber workers or where armies of employees
have virtually nothing to do.
Downsizing is not merely to save wages but to cut away the
dangers of "idle hands."
For companies in trouble it is not just the wages which
cut into profit it is the "unworking" that over employment
engenders.
At this restaurant are eight waitresses. There is no custom
to justify eight. Four would be useful at certain times,
where at others, two could adequately handle the work.
The eight sit around and talk and argue, and patrons, seeing
this, leave. As each one of the waitresses has to be fed,
those are eight meals the chef has to make. And there is only
one chef.
At this accountancy firm there is a "chain of command" in
which a worker reports to a Senior Worker who reports to a
Supervisor who reports to...
All of these "staff" positions; what is the purpose? People
are hired to perform work. They must know what work they are
there to perform. An office manager can route work and
whether it is a law firm or a data entry center, one manager
can be kept occupied.
I have sat in on meetings which argued over the protocols of
who complains to whom, and how the "chain of command" was
breached or not breached.
What is being produced during these meetings?
When workers are not fully employed, they fill their time
with their social life. They spend hours on the phone,
playing games on the computer, doing what they please. This
idleness produces unworking habits which, at busy times will
be extremely detrimental.
When downsizing; start at the top. Assistant managers who
act as megaphones can be replaced by megaphones. Everyone
must have an actual job.
When you reach the floor keep your eyes open for telephone
talkers, walkers, socializer. Don't be fooled by industrious
appearing people; often they are playing games on the
computer.
Do not attempt downsizing until you are so familiar with the
business that you could manage it. You must know every single
department, what each person does. Sometimes, streamlining an
area solves problems.
The mindset when you enter is that each worker has to justify
employment.
