Glue

Glue of course is something that bonds. Glue in the corporate streamlining sense are methods, tools and practices that bond people, departments and functions in a way that:

• Necessary data and communications flow between these entities in a clear and timely manner;
• Staff and hourly personnel know what is expected of them;
• Conflicting objectives are minimized or eliminated;
• Clarifies roles and responsibilities;
• Staff and hourly personnel know WHY certain things are required of them or done a certain way.

Here are examples of types of glues that hold the form of an organization:

Annual budget with monthly comparisons of actual to budget;

Monthly management reports from each department head;

Use of checklists;

Use of standards to communicate what is expected;

Written procedures that others have read and agreed to;

Approval requirements;

Use of forms, especially to gather or transfer data;

Company policies that give employees direction;

Worksheets that balance;

A feedback mechanism so employees know their concerns or opportunities are heard (be sure to acknowledge receipt of any communication received);

Training on what the company expects of the person and what tools the company has given the person to help him along;

Enforcement of compliance to policies and procedures by way of periodic reviews and by way of ongoing supervisor or manager observation with verbal requests to comply, then verbal warnings, then notes to employee files and finally discipline when necessary. What management expects of employees must be made real to employees, but on a gradient.

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