Archive for November, 2009
« Previous EntriesCollege Ain’t What It Used To Be
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009If you’re wondering why your new college grads can’t spell or write coherent emails, wonder no more. A recent survey revealed that half the students in College spend more time drinking than studying. You may also get fooled when hiring them because of grade inflation. Don’t be too impressed with a good GPA. From 1991 to [...]
Why It Is Almost Impossible To Change HR
Monday, November 23rd, 2009We continue to try to reinvent ourselves. Sometimes it works, most times it doesn’t. So, why is this?
Reality tells me that HR is a blank screen. Everyone outside HR projects their image of what they think we are. What do “they” see?
Or… Social Services? Bureaucracy? Benefits Administration? This is an interesting challenge – how do you [...]
Changing Titles Is Not Enough
Thursday, November 19th, 2009I recently was in a store that we all know and overheard the sales personnel calling each other “Team Members” and the shoppers “Guests.” I smiled and thought about how good these terms sounded. I also remembered an earlier time when many companies started calling their employees associates. This was another good idea except…
Just changing [...]
More Adventures With Stacy And Jean In HR
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Jean: Stacy, I have an idea.
Stacy: Oh, I can’t wait to hear it.
Jean: No, seriously Stacy, I just want to talk like we used to. You know, when we used plain language. I also think it might help us with our coworkers in the other departments too.
Stacy: What in the world are you talking about?
Jean: [...]
Back To Stacy And Jean In HR
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Meanwhile back in the Human Resource Department with Stacy and Jean…
Jean: Well, Stacy…quite frankly, sometimes I don’t understand what you are saying.
Stacy: Jean, it is simple. In fact, it is totally seamless and transparent.
Jean: Okay…
Stacy: For example, remember when I told you that you were having a problem with Project Governance while you were working [...]
HR: “No One Understands Us”
Monday, November 16th, 2009Overheard in a Human Resource Department near you…
Jean: No one understands us.
Stacy: I hear you. The other day, I was talking to our CEO and told her about our new HR transformation project and she looked at me with a blank stare.
Jean: Oh, I know. I tried to explain to her about our new thrust [...]
I Told You So
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Remember when I told you that some great companies avoid layoffs by freezing or cutting employee pay and they still are able to maintain good morale? My example has always been Hewlett Packard in the good old days of Silicon Valley. Currently there are three more companies who engage in this practice and they are on Fortune’s [...]
Managing By Gimmick #4
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009The manager who uses Management Gimmick (MBG) #4 spoils his/her employees just like an indulgent parent. I call this “Laissez-Faire Management.” We in Human Resources know these managers well. We can spot them easily because they…
have departments with high absenteeism and tardiness
have lower productivity due to lax supervision
want to be liked by their employees
write surface performance appraisals with [...]
Management By Gimmick #3
Monday, November 9th, 2009This gimmick may not be a biggee, but I’ve seen it used many times. C’mon, you’ve heard it too…
“We run this operation by food.” When the boss says this, everyone laughs because they know that it is true at some level.
There are managers who supply an endless parade of food… donuts, bagels, pizza, etc. as [...]
Managing By Gimmick #2
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
Managing by Gimmick (MBG) is a technique used by managers and supervisors everywhere which is the antithesis of using good leadership principles. It is using a gimmick instead of sound management. It encompasses bribery, promises, blame and deflection.
If I was writing a book about MBG (Management By Gimmick), Chapter One would be about MBG 1 - the [...]