Topic for Discussion: How does Boardroom produce at nearly five times the rate of the typical Fortune 500?

Answer: Marty attributes the success mainly to their "I-Power" techniques. Every week he simply asks the employees to come up with two suggestions for making his/her own department's work more productive -- ideas that will enhance the whole company.

Topic for Discussion: Why does this simple activity have such a great impact on the business?

Answer: In general, the single largest budget item in a business is people. This may not be the case in some types of manufacturing concerns because the cost of materials could exceed the cost of employees. However, the true cost of paying people is much more complicated to calculate than is the cost of any other item in a business budget. Why? Because people are paid, often whether they produce a result or not. Measuring the results of work is difficult especially in a business like publishing. Marty has created an environment where people contribute more of themselves than people do in other workplaces. It may be as simple as: when people feel good they do good. Marty treats people with respect and rewards efforts. Because he expects people to contribute suggestions, they do. These suggestions then turn the organization into a more efficient place. You saw Marty sing to an employee and present an anniversary gift, then you heard the employee say, "This is the best place I have ever worked."

Topic for Discussion: Why don't more bosses and business owners use these same techniques?

Answer: Marty believes in human potential and he believes his number one job is helping others learn and grow. Most people don't really believe this, or, they think people ought to take care of themselves and not depend on a boss to build them up. Marty knows that most of us grow up with tremendous negativity. School teachers and parents spend too much time critiquing us rather than praising us. So, by the time we get into the workforce, we are insecure and have low self-esteem. Marty recognizes this and works to convince his employees that they truly are talented and together this group of exceptional people can do anything. Another reason more bosses and business owners don't use these techniques is that they are insecure and have low self-esteem themselves. Or, these bosses and business owners are selfish and too self absorbed to focus their energy on others.

You think about it: Could "I-Power" work for your organization? Do you really believe in the people who work for you? If not, why are you paying them?