Archive for August, 2008
« Previous EntriesHappy Labor Sunday!
Sunday, August 31st, 2008That’s right - Happy Labor Sunday! In 1909, the American Federation of Labor declared today as Labor Sunday and dedicated the day to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
Unfortunately, 99 years later, the labor (manufacturing labor) movement has been in a different direction - offshore.
Not to worry - like most federal holidays, we don’t do [...]
When I Laid Myself Off
Saturday, August 30th, 2008Yes, I laid myself off. We closed the plant; I walked out, locked the door and threw the keys into the bushes. Over 300 people lost their jobs that day. We were in High Tech in a city which was outside Silicon Valley. Most people had to move in order to find new jobs. I followed [...]
More Lessons From The Convention
Friday, August 29th, 2008
I’m not talking about ideology here; I’m talking about running a great show.
Yesterday, I documented 3 lessons learned from the Convention. In retrospect, what I had identified were key Leadership Traits of Teamwork, Political Savy and Inspiration.
If you have been watching, what you have also seen is great Management in action. In fact they pulled out the [...]
3 Lessons We Can Learn From the Democratic Convention
Thursday, August 28th, 2008We in HR worry a lot about our stature in the organization. You have seen the posts about the trials and tribulations of HR getting to the “table” and staying there as equal participants. Too many times, we feel that we are the “voice in the storm,” or being viewed as an overhead function.
Well, I [...]
HR at Home
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008“You treat the people at work better than you treat me,” said my wife a number of years ago. These words sunk in; she was right. “You Always Hurt the One You Love,” is the title of and old song and another reminder that I’m not always the best Human Resources Manager at home.
I know why [...]
The Only Communication Techniques You’ll Ever Need
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008Whether on the job as a Human Resource Professional or talking with your Significant Other, you can be the best communicator around if you follow these 2 rules:
1. Maintain or Enhance their Self-Esteem. We may not be responsible for how other people feel, but if the other person walks away from our conversation feeling “less than,” we [...]
Forget My 7 Presentation Pointers - Talk From Your Heart
Monday, August 25th, 2008
While reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, “Know HR,” I was thinking about the zillion presentations I’ve suffered through in the workplace.
The one thing you could count on in the electronic industry were countless meetings and presentations. I have always had a hard time sleeping at night, but the minute the lights dimmed and some [...]
Reinstate the 6 Week Vacation in the U.S.!
Sunday, August 24th, 2008Reinstate? What the heck are you talking about Ron? Well, it is true. At one time, every American took off 52 days a year…
When I was a young lad, Sundays were truly days of rest. Everything was shut down. People took leisurely “Sunday drives,” laid around or had picnics. We literally relaxed one day a [...]
Go Ahead and Throw Out That Baby With the Bath Water
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008When “The Secret” was at the height of popularity, you could walk around the company and see Vision Boards everywhere. $100,000 bills were tacked up in cubicles. The dreamers were dreaming. Now, most of the people are scrambling to pay their mortgages. The vision boards are gone and so are the dreams.
Pity. When the fad is over, people throw [...]
Putting the “Human” Back in Human Resources
Friday, August 22nd, 2008My mother went to college in the late 1920’s. Quite a rarity in those days, huh? Here are photos of my mom and her friends. What’s the common denominator?
The common denominator is the automobile, or as my grandmother used to call it, “the machine.” I have many other pictures like this and it occurred to [...]
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