Re: Network Engineer Bonus Program

[Neal Mowery <rnm@ornl.gov>]

Steve Wetherell asked:
>How would you propose to cut this program out or phase it out, considering
>Deming's methodology?  Cut it completely and raise their salaries by their
>average bonus over the last 12 months?  Or have a meeting and ask them how
>to fix it?  Or cut it out and have a meeting with them to identify the top
>three things that would help them to deliver a better (service) product to
>the customer? Or...?<

I have observed that people - myself included - are always skeptical of
motives when it comes to changing their pay, even when well intended and
well explained.  Any solution you pose will be subject to intense
criticism.  Whatever approach you use, I suggest that you let them - the
workforce- come up with what they think is a fair approach, within
parameters that suit your needs.  Explain the objectives - fair pay with a
focus on the customer relationship rather than just volume - and ask for
ideas or present your options.  This should also solicit their ideas for
the phase-in process.

Be very aware of the emotions of individuals in the group.  This is their
livelihood you are messing with.  Take as long as it takes.  A period of
weeks might be appropriate before arriving at a decision.

Finally, go for consensus agreement rather than majority agreement.  In a
"majority rules" setting, those dissenting in the minority lose, and just
because a majority believes it doesn't necessarliy make it right.  Win/win,
where all decide and agree on what constitutes a win.

I believe that this is one case in which how the decision is made may be
just as important as what is decided.

Neal

*********************************************
Neal Mowery
Statistician - Lockheed Martin Energy Systems
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
rnm @ ornl.gov		Voice (423) 574-0796
*********************************************

Moderator's $0.02 USD...  Neal's post, to me, highlights the systemic view
of using Deming's SoPK (and in slightly different form, Bill Sherkenbach's
PLE factors) and how using these as guides in thinking and decision making
assist us in seeing more of the potential interactions.
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