American Gas - March 2010 - (Page 12)

news The Recession-Proof utility: Focus on leadership working, others will notice—and they will be resentful. But worse than test of time do so for one reason and merely causing contention in the one reason only: consistently excelranks, turning a blind eye to poor lent leadership,” says Quint studer, performers squelches profitability. author of the new book Straight A Leadership: Alignment, Action, Account- middle performers get pulled down ability. “Products and services change to the low-performer level, while high performers either disengage or leave. with the demands of the market. individual leaders come and go. The “Too many of us give low performkey is to create an organizational ers a pass,” says studer, whose remedy culture that ensures great leadership involves implementing a structured today and tomorrow.” series of high-middle-low performer conversations. “The low performer is in a recent news release, studer an anchor holding everyone else back. recommended five strategies that will make this year the year you quit lookhelp companies do just that: ing the other way.” ax low performers. Now. Despite the layoff ax so many compaaccentuate the positive. The nies wielded during the past year, low next time you’re having lunch in a performers still work inside many orrestaurant, listen in on the conversaganizations. And they are causing big tions at nearby tables. chances are, problems. if an employee consistently you’ll hear people griping about their comes in late, takes long lunches workloads, difficult clients, annoying 51342_NRI_TrdntWrpSl_HP_AG.qxd 12/18/09 3:55 or the ridiculousness of corand spends more time chatting than coworkers PM Page 1 “Solid buSineSS results that stand the industry porate policy. everyone does it, but if they realized how harmful it is to their company, perhaps they’d think twice. The solution, says studer, is to hone the fine art of managing up. “managing up means positioning your people, products or company in a positive light,” says studer. “Help employees understand what can happen when negativity is allowed to breed—good people quit and customers leave—and they’ll be more likely to stop doing it.” make a real connection with employees—every day. studer is a big proponent of what he calls “rounding for outcomes.” Think of a doctor making her daily rounds to check on patients; “rounding” helps you com- LEAK CONTAINMENT IN MINUTES RESTORES CORRODED RISERS TO CODE Permanently repairs leaks on threaded fittings, pinholes, T’s, elbows, and straights Eliminates re-piping, customer disruptions, and relights • Over 3,000 operator qualified applicators nationwide • Thousands of permanent repairs completed in the field • Can be applied on wet surfaces and in adverse field conditions Innovative Composite Solutions NEPTUNERESEARCH.COM 1346 S. KILLIAN DRIVE • LAKE PARK, FL 33403 USA • 561.683.6992 march 2010 AmericAn GAs http://www.NEPTUNERESEARCH.COM http://www.NEPTUNERESEARCH.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - March 2010

American Gas - March 2010
President’s Message
In the Know
Contents
Industry News
Safety First
To Be the Best
It All Computes
From Volatile to Variable
Vendor News
Advertisers' Index
Places to Be
Marketplace
Jobline
Noteworthies
Facts on Gas

American Gas - March 2010