Bonnie Harvey & Michael Houlihan: Finding & Building Great People in an Off Premise Work Environment

We are now remote.  And we are learning so much about what it takes to keep your people engaged and productive. The balance between communication and micromanagement is often the Biggest challenge. 

 

Here’s what we’ve learned: Consistent communication with ultra flexibility is working. Encouragement to take care of yourself first: ie: a walk, bike ride or step away is increasing productivity. Virtual happy hours are helping to forge team comradery. 

 

Our guests today: Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey, Founders of the world's top wine brand, Barefoot Wines

 

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. Michael & Bonnie pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and as a result were acquired by E&J Gallo.  Today, they offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) & Shelf Smarts courses to help consumer product brand builders achieve success by maximizing the value of their human resources. 

 

Today we are discussing:

Virtual challenges today
How to build company culture to an off premise workforce

Off Premise challenge today?

Disengagement
Not routine
Physical commitment
Daily encouragement

Why is this important to the company?

Two biggest hidden costs in every business! 

Reduce turnover
Increase engagement

Good people transform to great people through growth

Improve skill sets & relationships
Allow people to do the work they like to do and not do. Allow them to create their own roles. 

Rick’s Nuggets

Accountability & Productivity
Remote causes you to really put your business under the microscope
Cost of a Bad hire is 30% of individuals earnings (US Dept of Labor)
Does not include Morale & Productivity loss costs

How do we do it?

Find good people & build great people *****

Keep people from being isolated (Team based)
Culture of permission - make mistakes right. Don't hide mistakes.

Hiring tactics?

 

Overkilling Orientation

Over educate
Money map
About understanding how the money flows to get to your paycheck

2 division company
Getting into the cause & effect of the business
Sales & Sales support

Include people in the solutions

Everyone asked to contribute their ideas
Footsteps to the wine in stores from the receptionist! (recognition)

Throw problems out on the table and allow people to contribute
Promote the idea that everyone has a voice

Rick’s Nuggets

Finding good people requires work & a lot of conversations
Creative ways to encourage engagement 
Virtual happy hour

Key Takeaways:

You have a responsibility to improve your hires. Find their talents and expand upon them
All companies have 2 divisions- sales & sales support
All salaries start from the community not from the company!

Find Bonnie & Michael here:

Business Audio Theatre Linkedin 

Websites: www.thebarefootspirit.com & www.consumerbrandbuilders.com