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Has anyone read this book?
I've got it yesterday and couldn't put it away since I opened it. I'm almost through and I'm impressed with the concept.

I was wondering what other opinions are on this, as it is quite a different approach and I can imagine there to be a lot of resistance in top management in companies, to try this out.

The book is not too well written, I have to admit, but it doesn't spoil the reading experience, since it's about the message.

[quote]The fable Kelly tells is based on a true story in which a janitorial services company had a chronic annual turnover rate of 400%. The fictional General Manager, Simon, is frustrated since he is operating more as a full-time "lead recruiter" rather than GM.

After numerous unsuccessful studies to define the problem, Simon's senior assistant suggests they learn what the employee's dreams are then find a way "to connect their job today with their dreams for tomorrow." Making money without a dream to fulfill is pointless and obscene. "Life is about living our dreams."

The company goes on to implement "The Dream Manager" program (the program's implementation and evolution is described in detail). The program results in improved morale and loyalty, and a drop in the annual turnover rate to 12% while gross revenue tripled.[/quote]

They create a role called "The Dream Manager", which is basically a cross between a Life Coach and a Financial Advisor in the company. All employees have one session a month with that person, talk about their dreams and make a plan how to achieve them. This results not only in descreased turnover, but also in less sick days, less lateness and a sense of connectedness of the employees with the company - they start referring new employees and even clients and so contribute to the growth of the business.

svgates's picture

My company dabbled with this. Didn't ever get traction. The core prinicpal looks like an extension of a core M-T value: great manager's care.

kdeano1's picture

Read it. Thought it was great. I'm the Director of Field Marketing and an internal trainer for a 38-store, fast-casual restaurant chain in the Southwest. High turnover and high training costs represent a problem in our industry, one that relies on a large number of hourly employees to fulfill many operational tasks daily. Six months ago, we made a start at implementing a Dream Manager program via an outside consultant who has also trained our assistant managers and general managers in money management principles.

It is beginning to catch on. As the book mentions, it is critical to have a BIG win early in the process to make believers out of the nay sayers in the organization. We just had one lower level manager, minority, accomplish his dream of owning his first home (very much like the story in the book). Our outside Dream Manager worked with him to help get his debts prioritized and paid, his financing arranged, etc. Obviously, we now have our biggest advocate of the program and others are beginning to pay attention and seek help toward achieving their dreams.

The Dream Manager is probably a very real position that we will bring in-house within the next year.

terrih's picture

I can't stand management fable books. IMHO they amount to a magazine article's worth of ideas padded with bad fiction so they can charge $14.95 for it in a bookstore. No, I haven't read this one, and from your description, I won't.