Over the past month, technology has been challenging me… and winning. A week ago my computer crashed and, by then, I wasn’t even surprised to have one more challenge thrown at me. The only silver lining (other than my shiny new computer) was the fact that my computer files are automatically backed up daily.
In my case, the needed backup was my computer files. However, what about in your business? Are you cross-training employees so your business isn’t hampered by someone’s absence? Are you ensuring your methodology or information is stored in multiple locations, documented in detail, and/or known by multiple people?
I’ve known companies who have felt blackmailed by employees. In one case, it was a scientist. Through a series of changes in the company, this scientist ended up being the only employee remaining who knew the full range of the company’s scientific history and knowledge. Senior management only really understood the danger in this when the scientist became unreliable and failed to meet deadlines and wouldn’t show up for work until several hours after his subordinates started working. Nothing could be done about the scientist until they hired another person who quietly started the very long process of learning what the scientist knew.
Employees don’t deliberately decide to hold a company hostage; the company allows it to happen. Are you ensuring the smooth continuation of your company? Or are you setting your company up for a hostage situation?
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