Let’s say you have 20 employees who take away 10 minutes each day to do personal things on the computer. That equals a total of 2 hours each day of lost productivity

I think the culture it would lead within the organization would be far more valuable than the occasional discretionary use of their computers for whatever they like.

Vidyut

If we are talking about protecting company information and keeping time wasters at bay then I have no problem with that. Just knowing that “Big Brother” could be watching helps to keep much of that at bay.

Now when you monitor your staff (in the same way you wouldn't mind having someone watch you) and combine it with the rest of your list, then it makes sense. And most likely, that was your intension.

Productivity must always be addressed with both the short term and long term gains in mind.

If we are talking about protecting company information and keeping time wasters at bay then I have no problem with that. Just knowing that “Big Brother” could be watching helps to keep much of that at bay.

Now when you monitor your staff (in the same way you wouldn't mind having someone watch you) and combine it with the rest of your list, then it makes sense. And most likely, that was your intension.

Productivity must always be addressed with both the short term and long term gains in mind.

I disagree with you. Being able to monitor your employees is just a way to make sure the company's information is protected. Yes everything can be fun, productive, etc., and at the same time professional and precise.

I worked with a company that sold monitoring software, so I was exposed to several thousands of companies who WISH they had that kind of software because some employee for one reason or another stole some pertinent data.

Going to work should be fun yes, but it is also work that your getting paid to do. If one spends that time during work hours on facebook, games, etc, well than they are violating rules anyway.

Stay balanced when excessing your right to monitor your staff. The short term gain in productivity may be a long term loss in moral, passion and innovation.

1. sharing is great, but when you have people working without commission, there needs to be an incentive.
2. You make a valid point, I don't disagree with it.
3. Monitoring your employees is a must, especially when you have valuable customer data. Too many cases of inside-hacking happening now-a-days.
4. Spending time with your employees is important, why wouldn't you spend time with them to get to know them? Especially considering that you want to “treat your employees as associates”
5. From my exposure to several large companies, team work and competition is a very healthy environment.
6. As long your speaking is the truth and not a bunch of crap, your great!
7. Great catch on the language, but the fact of the matter is, many leaders/managers have taken it away.

Yes I have ran a company bro, for about 2 years. I've also observed, studied, and coached several companies from all over the US and Canada.

Your advice is absolutely fantastic and some of it is perfect to add. I'm not saying what I wrote is brand new, in fact, you may have read it some where else, but what I wrote works.

This is inhumane, my friend. It is cool you've put a picture from the Office Fever movie. Your article is so in the tone of the annoying manager Bob – “Hi, ya! Whaaaat's happening?”. I hope you haven't just quoted “How to Run Enterprises in the mid 50s (for Dummies)”.

These are my notes on your points:

1. Emotional Incentives.
Treat all of your employees as associates, and go even further by making them associates. So they'll be personally involved in the company's growth. The key is sharing over exploitation!

2. Create a positive environment.
What's positive and what's negative? Getting feedback is not enough. Scientists are unearthing tantalizing clues about how to design spaces that promote creativity, keep people focused and alert, and lead to relaxation and social intimacy. The results inform architectural and design decisions such as the height of ceilings, the view from windows, the shape of furniture, and the type and intensity of lighting. Check this out – I'm sure you'll find it very interesting http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?i...

3. Monitor Your Employees.
This one thing can be damaging for productivity like nothing else. A better approach is to give your employees information on their performance, so they can see directly how their work is affecting the company. Give them information on how do others perform as well.

4. Communication.
Personalizing your relationship with your employee is not spending 5-10 minutes each every week talking about their challenges, hopes, and dreams. This is so so far away from the truth. Anyway, why would anyone want to create a company so big where he don't know anyone?

5. Create Teams.
Create teams, because collaboration increases your productivity exponentially – eat-what-you-kill mentality can help you grow at best linearly. Check this out: http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/...

6. Learn the Power of Motivational Speaking.
Usually there's a mismatch between words and deeds. A better advice is – serve as a personal example. (check your post on Practice what you preach – great piece)

7. Give Employees a Say in the Company.
This should be: NEVER TAKE AWAY YOUR EMPLOYEES VOICE.
Giving implies that you've taken away something from them prior to giving it back.

AJ, have you ever ran a company?