If an alien were to look down from his UFO at the balance of power in today’s organizations, who would carry more weight: employees or bosses?
Think about it.
Bosses hold a vision, create a game plan, and put the power into the employees’ hands to implement it correctly.
It’s not the football coach who wins games, it’s the players.
Just like it’s not the CEO who brings in the most sales, it’s the employees.
The other day, I got sucked into watching an episode of The Deadliest Catch – a true-life show of crab fisherman working for weeks… with almost no sleep… risking their lives… for the promise of a comfy paycheck.
Clearly, the captain is nothing without a dedicated, hard-working crew.
And at the end of 2 weeks, one boat earned an astounding $42,000 per deck hand! Not bad for just 14 days of work…
But can you imagine asking your employees to:
- Work 20 hours straight with no sleep and limited food?
- Suffer through a bloody injury until the work is complete?
- Stand outside in subzero temperatures, soaking wet?
- Stay away from their families, miss their children’s birthdays, and skip anniversaries for at least half the year?
- Risk their life for the sake of their job?
I once asked one of my subcontractors, who was behind on his work, to work over 4th of July weekend – needless to say, that conversation went just about as well as convincing my 6-year old to eat all his broccoli.
So what’s the secret on The Deadliest Catch? How do they get their team members to do the impossible?
The answer: Performance.
When you expect above average effort, and want your team members to go above and beyond for you – pay them on performance.
Create a plan whereby they will be compensated in direct proportion to the results they achieve.
Some companies offer this benefit with profit sharing and revenue sharing, some with company options or commissions.
The way I work with my private clients is that I get paid a handsome percentage of the upside profits I bring to them – if I don’t make them any money, I don’t get paid.
One of my clients has a team of 7 people – all of them are paid 100% on performance!
As a result, it’s not uncommon to hear of his team members working weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights. Nobody complains because they’re not asked to put in those long hours – they willingly choose to go above and beyond because the more they perform – the greater the compensation!
The team comes together, offering one another tips and advice for excelling at their job. It’s rare that I come into a company and the entire team gels together perfectly.
They operate like a sports team – everyone helps one another out so the entire team wins.
They truly embody the concept of together we are better – and together they have accomplished growth and overcame feats few people ever believed were possible.
Just like in The Deadliest Catch – yes, the Captain definitely pays their crew a lot more than they otherwise would have paid with an hourly wage – but if performance is important to you, the best way to spark a surge in motivation for your team is to compensate them according to their contribution.
Believe me, when you have a team completely vested and sharing in your vision for growth, the exponential benefit is game changing.
In your corner,
Charlie
P.S. Give your team the power tools required to make a big difference in their performance. Join the Predictable Profits Insiders’ Club and learn working strategies for dominating today’s marketplace!
