Animal Science Monitor – Issue 98

Welcome to the next installment of our “In Search of . . .” series. In the first issue of each month, we’ll highlight Dan Simmons and Don Hunter’s hottest job opening. The same job might run in consecutive issues, but our goal is to give exposure to as many openings as possible throughout the year. Below is the position that we’d like to highlight in this issue of The ASM.

ACCOUNT MANAGER – DAIRY NUTRITION

Location: California
Salary: Unlimited potential; target income is $200K

Contact Don Hunter:
don@bayresourcegroup.com

Leading producer of vitamins, trace minerals, and drug components for the animal feed industry seeks a sales consultant to lead their dairy business in California, Nevada, and Arizona.

6 reasons this is a great job for the right person:

1. Company has great science behind its products
2. Company is a respected, formidable player in animal nutrition
3. Unlimited income opportunity; target income is $200K
4. Company has distribution already in place in the region
5. Company is committed to growth
6. Base + incentives + benefits + 401K + generous car allowance plan

Responsibilities/Requirements:

• Develop relationships with leading Dairy Nutritionists and feed mills marketing the company’s line of quality products
• Support distribution of products in the field and at trade shows
• 50-75% travel
• To be considered for this job, you must have a five-year track record of success selling animal health or animal nutrition products to the dairy business in California
• You must be self-motivated, have a proven sales process, and be able to build relationships with decision makers.
• You must possess a B.S. degree in an applicable field.
• You must possess a solid understanding of dairy nutrition.

If you’d like more information about how you can give your open positions exposure in The Animal Science Monitor, contact Dan Simmons at dan@consearch.com. If you’d like more information about the position listed above, contact Don Hunter at don@bayresourcegroup.com.

About This Issue . . .
‘In Search of . . .’
Pro-active Ways to Combat Employee Dissatisfaction
Job Satisfaction . . . How’s Yours?
Coming Up in the Next Issue . . .

Early in their career, the rock band The Rolling Stones had a number-one smash hit with “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” Well, that appears to the theme song for employees in the U.S. workforce these days. In this issue of The Animal Science Monitor, we’re going to examine both sides of the employee dissatisfaction coin and analyze what it means for you. So kick back, relax, and play some Stones if you have to, but we hope you enjoy this issue of The ASM  . . . and that you get some satisfaction.

 – Dan and Don

Pro-active Ways to Combat Employee Dissatisfaction

(By Dan Simmons)

Sometimes, looks are deceiving, and that’s often the case in the job market. Things could appear to be one way, but in reality, they’re quite another.

Right now, the unemployment rate is high in the country. As a result, you’d think that those who are employed would be happy to have a job. Not so fast. The reality of the matter is quite the opposite. In fact, according to the Conference Board research group, only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work, the lowest percentage since the Board began taking the survey more than 22 years ago.

The real question is this: what does this mean for you? Well, first and foremost, you shouldn’t be naive. This means that there are some people on your team who are dissatisfied. They may hide it well, but you can’t beat the numbers. So what can you do about this? What should you do about this? Start with the steps below:

• Identify the members of your team that you want to keep above all others, your A-players, so to speak.
• Make certain these employees are counted among those who are satisfied with their job . . . the 45%, in other words. This might entail a frank, heart-to-heart conversation. Whatever it takes to know for sure is your best course of action.
• Upon discovering A-players who aren’t satisfied, find out what would increase their job satisfaction. In some cases, this might involve the elimination of sub-par players on your team.
• Of course, thee limination of sub-par players means that you will replace them with other A-players. This will only serve to bolster overall satisfaction, including your own. (Not replacing them, on the other hand, is a different story.)

Once you’ve addressed these issues, take additional measures to ensure employee satisfaction. These are ones that your A-players might not have mentioned, namely because they’re often overlooked. However, their impact can be substantial. 

• Besure to compliment good performance. This can include just a pat on the back, a verbal show of appreciation, or an email. People want to know that their work is valued.
• Take it one step further and recognize employees for performance with an award or plaque. Set up a rewards system for your department or team.
• Incorporate food days, a casual dress day, or a theme party every once in a while.You can’t underestimate the importance of having fun in the workplace. It helps keep spirits high and it builds camaraderie.

Don’t wait for employee dissatisfaction to erode morale and sabotage productivity. Take pro-active steps to ensure that your team is working at its peak, both now and when the economy has completely recovered. If you have any questions about this article or you would like to know more about combating the challenge of employee dissatisfaction, contact me at dan@consearch.com.

Job Satisfaction . . . How’s Yours?

(By Don Hunter)

It may seem odd to write an article about job satisfaction when so many people are unemployed. However, Dan and I are presently conducting many searches for clients that are looking for good candidates to fill their open positions. As a result, the subject comes up a lot with the candidates we’re interviewing. Some are dissatisfied with their job,but are afraid to make a change because of the economy. We felt it was time to address the issue.

Job satisfaction has been defined as a pleasurable emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job. This would indicate that we form attitudes about our job by our feelings, our beliefs, and our behaviors. According to several surveys, some of the specific aspects of employee job satisfaction – or lack of it – include the following:

1. Job security
2. Relationship with immediate supervisor
3. Flexibility to balance life and work issues
4. Management recognition of employee job performance
5. Compensation/pay
6. Overall corporate culture
   

For many, the concept of having a job where work doesn’t feel like work is pure fantasy when people are confronted with the cold, hard facts of reality. I have a hunting dog that I’ve trained from a pup. I wasn’t quite sure whether he was fully trained and would be considered a good hunting dog until I read an article by a professional trainer. The trainer said that “if the dog pleases you, he’s a good hunting dog.”  I think the key to job satisfaction is as simple as the trainer’s example. If the job doesn’t please you, then it’s not a good job, regardless of the economy. It’s based on your attitude and what you expect from your job.

If you’re not pleased with your job, you’re not alone. A recent survey stated that only 45% of people in America today are satisfied with their work, down from 61% in 1987. This cuts across all age and income brackets and appears to be a long-term, ongoing trend.

If you’re experiencing increasing dissatisfaction and feel trapped or are getting anxious about your career, begin scanning the marketplace for other opportunities. If you would like to be kept up-to-date on our present and future searches, send your resume to me at don@bayresourcegroup.com. Let me be your eyes and ears to the job market.

When you feel you have options, you begin to take control of your career and your life.

Anybody who’s familiar with The Animal Science Monitor knows that we often use Super Bowl commercials for our “Video Link of the Month,” especially around this time of year, when the Super Bowl is played. (Only makes sense.) Well, we’ll be publishing our video link later this month, and we invite you to guess which commercial we plan to use this year. You can send your guesses via email to matt@animalsciencemonitor.com. If you’re right, you might get special mention!

The next issue of The ASM is scheduled for publication on Tuesday, February 23.