Now this is something I have not seen yet – loaning out your employees during slow periods. Inc.com provides the article: How it works: On the StaffShare website the “seller” company lists the employee’s skills, daily rate, and availability. The cost is £50 (roughly $81.70) a year per candidate. The “buyer” company searches the database, uses the website’s message system to vet candidates and iron out details with the seller, and then a contract is sent electronically. The background behind the idea: “The companies had these redeployment pools of 1,000 people who needed to find other work within the company,” Flaxton says. “So we thought, ‘What if there was a… Read More
Continue ReadingThe Key Word Is Hiring
You don’t have to look far to find disconcerting news about the present economy. This AP story from one of our local papers lays out numbers that paint a vivid picture (emphasis mine): There were nearly 6.4 unemployed workers, on average, for each available job at the end of November, according to Labor Department data released Tuesday. That’s up from 6.1 in October, and a record high. There were 1.7 jobless people for each opening in December 2007, when the recession began. Job openings fell sharply to 2.42 million in November from 2.57 million in October, according to the department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. That may sound like… Read More
Continue ReadingRetention Horizon
Employment in this economy is a wonderful asset, to say the least. However, this abcnews.com story points to an impending problem – retention. Even Americans who are lucky enough to have work in this economy are becoming more unhappy with their jobs, according to a new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work. That was the lowest level ever recorded by the Conference Board research group in more than 22 years of studying the issue. The economy will eventually turn around though it appears it is going to be a slower process in comparison to historical recoveries. When it does turn and hiring picks… Read More
Continue Reading2010 Predictions
This is from the Herman Group as they make their predictions each year. I can attest to the first point being valid – I have talked to a handful of salespeople who are waiting out the economy to jump from their current position. These guys have a wonderful grasp of new words and phrases. I always learn about some relatively new word from them. I have taken the liberty of bolding some of them in the pull quote below. 1. Cutbacks and Re-Engineering will continue into 2010 Expect ongoing reductions in force as some employers continue to optimize their workforces and eliminate “redundancy”. We caution these employers to be very… Read More
Continue ReadingA Fantasy Football Firing
As a long-time fantasy football player, I am terrified by this story of a termination that occurred in Texas (one of the football capitals of this country). The quick details: Pettigrew and three other Fidelity employees were fired for playing fantasy football. “Firing a guy for being in a $20 fantasy league? Let’s be honest; that’s a complete overreaction,” said Pettigrew, who lives in Grapevine and has an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. “In this economic time, especially. To fire people over something like this, it’s just cold.” Said Fidelity spokesman Vin Loporchio: “We have clear policies that relate to gambling. Participation in any form of gambling… Read More
Continue ReadingThe Slow Fade Of Strong Salespeople
It has been a hectic week of crashed computers, new blogs set up, new video integrations, business deals, etc. Suffice to say, I have been worn out by the myriad of tasks. In the middle of this busy week, I talked to a strong salesperson I know who has been quite successful in an industry that normally would suffer during this economy. Unfortunately, he is starting to fade in his current position. What I mean is that the company is grinding him down to where he is looking for another opportunity. The main reason is disgustingly simple – he can successfully close deals in this economy, but his company struggles… Read More
Continue ReadingTerms Of The Recession
Here is one from the weekly Herman Trend Alert of which I was not familiar: “corporate cocooning” – staying put out of fear A rather appropriate construction for today’s economy, wouldn’t you say? Here is the paragraph from which it is used: Due to “corporate cocooning” (staying put out of fear), the “unprecedented churning” of the labor market we have forecast in the past has not yet happened. Now, we again see a high level of expectation of job hopping. Wise employers will heed this warning and take steps now to engage their valued employees and avoid this unwanted turnover.
Continue ReadingHow To Lose Your Job
Chances are if urination is involved, you will lose your job. From SalesHQ.com’s article 15 Stupidest Ways to Lose Your Job: When April 15 rolls around, urinating on the IRS might be on top of your to do list. But be careful—like audits, the IRS does not take peeing lying down. As first reported by The Smoking Gun, an IRS employee relieved himself in the freight elevator “on numerous occasions.” After the signature scent was noticed, a federal agent installed a surveillance camera and caught the urinator in the act. Did the culprit have a bladder problem? No, he said he “did this because he felt he could get away… Read More
Continue ReadingFor Gen Y, Jobs Are Secondary
I’m beginning to think Gen Y is the most overanalyzed generation in…a generation. BusinessWeek.com offers up this article – Why Certain Cities Attract Gen Ys. The big city has a general appeal to the Millennials which is probably true for most young generations. However, Gen Y does face a difficult career path due to tenure. Here is a surprising graph (emphasis mine): The appeal of big cities stems from a simple economic fact: They offer thicker labor markets with more robust job opportunities across a wide number of fields. Getting ahead in your career today means more than picking the right first job. Corporate commitment has dwindled, tenure has grown… Read More
Continue ReadingGet The Culture Right…
everything else falls into place. -Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com Now that is an interesting position, isn’t it? The article is from Human Resource Executive online and features a brief look at Mr. Hsieh’s “unorthodox” HR strategy. “We do two [job] interviews — the first for skills and the second for cultural fit,” he said, adding that the company has opted to not hire many talented candidates and has fired employees because they didn’t fit the culture or weren’t passionate enough about customer service. Fifty percent of the company’s performance review focuses on culture fit, he said. To ensure employees are committed to Zappos’ core values, it offers new hires… Read More
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