Managing People;

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If you want your people to focus on performance, you've got to figure out an effective way to tell them how the company is doing. Jay Johnson lets his people's palates do the talking. Every month, he holds a communication session for the 70 employees of Crest Microfilm Inc., in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If it's been a so-so month, he orders pizza and soft drinks. But if the company has done well, he lets the employees choose the cuisine. "In a bad month, we'll spend $75 or $80," says Johnson, "and in a good month, $250. At year end, we may spend $450 if we've had as good a year as we'd hoped for."

Food aside, Johnson uses the occasion to talk about company performance. "I give a summary of why we're eating what we're eating, and employees have an opportunity to bring up complaints and suggestions. . . . It's a way for me to share what I'm thinking. It's also an opportunity for me to say, 'Thanks.' When everyone works hard, they should eat prime rib rather than pizza."