How Can I Impress My Boss During Probation and Suggest an Employee Survey?

Can I suggest my boss for an employee satisfaction survey as I handle the Nasik branch alone, and my seniors work at the Punjab branch while our main boss is in Bangalore? He is coming to meet me during my probation period for the first time. During this period, I am planning to show him all my work activities as well as make suggestions through a presentation. Is it fine? Also, please advise on what else I can do to showcase my abilities more effectively.

Well, you are right; you should try your best to impress, but please don't overpromise and underdeliver. Think twice about whatever you are going to suggest to him. Ensure you are able to handle it and will be able to continue the same in the future also.

As Mr. Simhan already suggested, please provide further details so that the suggestions we can give will be really helpful. There are no problems in conducting the survey, but you have to understand the company's culture before you suggest something. There are many companies that are not yet prepared for such surveys and are afraid of the outcomes.

Awaiting your reply... 

Company Overview

Following are the details of the company I am working for. It is a Thailand-based multinational corporation. In India, we have 16 branches, and I am responsible for handling the Nasik branch as well as sub-branches like Niphad and Malegaon. Here in Nasik, we started our plant just 6 months ago, and I have been working here for 3 months. We currently have 50 staff members in the Nasik branch, and within a few months, this number will increase to 200.

What did you do in these three months? What is your total experience in your current field? As you mentioned, your branch is currently staffed by 50 employees and will soon be ramping up to 200 employees. Are you in HR or Operations?

If you are in HR, focus on streamlining processes and creating new policies based on your branch's requirements. Approach the branch head and gather their input.

If you are in Operations, work closely with HR to better understand the processes and then provide your suggestions.

Key Area of Focus: Voice of Employee Program

One key area to focus on is that, with only 50 employees in the branch, you could initiate a program called "Voice of Employee." Conduct this program to gather feedback from all employees, share this feedback with higher officials, and propose solutions. When conducting this program, pay close attention to each employee's behavior and attitude.

I hope this works out, and I have many more ideas to share where you can excel. I wish you all the best for your future endeavors.

Regards,

Questions raised by Satya Penubothu clearly indicate that we need more answers before we can guide Pragati. In addition, Pragati, please tell us what qualifications you have, how much work experience you have prior to joining this company, and how much you know about Employee Satisfaction Surveys (ESS). Please see Why Employee Attitude Surveys Fail by Dr. William Steinberg - Employee Satisfaction Surveys for some problems with ESS. As someone has suggested, concentrate on what you have achieved rather than suggesting conducting ESS at this stage of expansion.

Have a nice day.

Regards, Simhan
A retired academic in the UK.

Thank you, Satya sir, for your good wishes and the valuable information. Yes, I joined this organization in December 2010 and have six months of experience in the time office only. Here, I have learned many things that I had not learned in my previous organization. I feel lucky to be working in an MNC company; both my previous and current organizations are MNCs. I have learned many things here.

Now, I am planning to suggest an employee benefit PowerPoint presentation to my boss, as well as an employee satisfaction survey. I have prepared a questionnaire and the PowerPoint presentation. I am now wondering what else I should suggest to my boss. I think these two things may not be enough. I am confused about my two suggestions, which are about the employee satisfaction survey and employee benefits.

If I suggest implementing these policies in our HR department, considering I am currently on probation, we would need to apply them to all 16 branches across India. Conducting such a survey would involve significant costs and be challenging. Should I suggest these two things or not? What else can I suggest to them? I am responsible for managing only 50 people in Nashik, so it wouldn't be difficult for me to handle it here. That's why I am considering suggesting these ideas to my boss. Sir, please guide me on this. 

Thank you for sharing insights about your experience in your current and previous companies. Let me highlight some areas where you can focus and stand out in front of your management. Conducting employee surveys and giving PowerPoint presentations may not be enough to make your boss happy; he should feel proud of you after your personal meeting with him.

1. Propose additional salary components that are non-taxable.
2. Propose Gratuity through LIC and include this in your CTC component.
3. Reduce man-hours and increase productivity.
4. Conduct internal employee surveys.
5. Foster a more friendly atmosphere within the organization.
6. Listen to the voice of employees.
7. Organize fun activities at work every weekend.
8. Invite guest lecturers from top universities.
9. Develop policies and discuss them with all HODs.
10. Enhance employee welfare activities.
11. Suggest a two-day workshop within the organization where you provide solutions for ongoing meetings.
12. Hold monthly meetings to discuss the organization's growth (small get-together events) and award the Best Employee Award for Attendance, Project Work, etc.

I am interested to know more about the content of the PowerPoint presentation you plan to show your boss. By considering the above points, you can enhance your presentation for your boss. I hope this helps you in preparing to present to your boss.