Blogs / 2008 / December

"My life is my message." -- Mahatma Gandhi George Bailey always works his way into my life at this time of year, and I'm always glad to welcome him back. You know, George, the character portrayed by Jimmy Stewart in the Frank Capra film, It'... More...

This has been called the most challenging economy and the worst recession in the past 34 years. In fact, the World Bank released a statement this week that suggested the economic fundamentals of the current recession had greater similarity to those ... More...

I was looking at issues of overtime today and this really blew my mind. It appears as though a company went to amazing lengths to avoid having to pay overtime and now it will bite them in the rear, to the tune of $850,000—wow! Here is a link to th... More...

Why is mentoring important? Over the next three years, more than 19 million American workers will reach 65, the traditional retirement age, causing the Bureau of Labor Statistics to project that there will be a shortfall of more than 10 million skil... More...

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (“the Act”) was signed into law on October 3, 2008, as part of H.R. 1424, the Tax Extender’s and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008, ... More...

A Happy New year to all. This entry is very Asian and is reflective of my views in the asian environment. Its the end of the year and the dawn of a new year. Its reflection time. I have been on the sideline for sometime now and Its very sad to hear... More...

Is it tougher getting laid off or left behind as a survivor when a company starts cutting jobs? The simple answer is a no-brainer. Losing a job is harsh reality; it can be catastrophic. But there is a problematic shadow that often hangs over survi... More...

“Is HR (function) on the table or at the table?” To my mind, the above statement says it all about the relevance and credibility of Human Resource Function. While “on the table” situation means that HR is a problem or the pain area in the organizati... More...

So here you are, at the place where you never wanted to be. You have taken all the steps you can take to reduce your costs, such as freezing hiring and travel, reducing training budgets, banning overtime, or offering early retirement. Business ... More...

So you've got an employee who is chronically late. How do you deal with that? I'll tell you what some managers do. They schedule a meeting with that person first thing in the morning. But I don't think that's the best approach. You've got somebody wh... More...

Its just after Christmas and New Year is just round the corner. Ah..another year have passed and another year is starting. What do we have to look forward to and what do we have to do to make it through the coming year. All around, we hear words ... More...

Many managers are investing huge money in sales and marketing while blindly throwing money at technology and maybe a bit left over for training. Very little serious attention or investments are made in improving the organization’s effectiveness... More...

Excerpted from West Virginia Employment Law Letter written by attorneys at the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that almost 70 percent of employers aren't in compliance with the Fair Labor Standar... More...

One of the luxuries of the work I do is that I get to be constantly learning -- reading, researching, talking to people, trying to find new ways of looking at old problems, and drawing unique connections between all the diverse threads that weave my ... More...

When my son, Sean, was 3 years old, he asked me a question that 17 years later still rattles around my head almost every day, and reminds me of how important it is to keep questioning the status quo. A Question that Grabs You By the Seat of Your ... More...

I'm not making any resolutions heading into 2009, but I am pulling out a favorite quote to pin on my wall. It's from Hunter "Patch" Adams, the unconventional doctor who founded the extraordinary Gesundheit Institute. "When a dream takes hold of ... More...

We've all heard the notion that money is not a primary motivator of people. We're here to dispell that notion, especially as it relates to your sales force. While a number of factors enter into the motivation equation, compensation certainly ranks ne... More...

Employees now have an increased role in developing strong customer relationships that inspire loyalty and performance. Therefore, employees need to have the best skills, use sound judgment and feel competent in their jobs. They need information about... More...

The beginning of the year is a good time to review existing goals and modify them as necessary. Geoff Colvin writes on page three of his book Talent Is Overrated that “extensive research in a wide range of fields shows that many people ... More...

It hasn't been a pretty picture. Like most Americans, some of my retirement savings were wiped out. Like you, I seemed to find nothing in the media except how much fear we ought to be in - to the point that many Americans are in a panic mode. Fear no... More...

Amidst news of cutbacks and layoffs, some companies are taking drastic measures to hold onto valuable talent and minimize the number of employees affected by layoffs. An increase in the use of performance management systems may b... More...

Whether it is company-wide or affecting the IT department alone, reorganizations are a fundamental step in managing growth and remaining flexible in today’s competitive marketplace. A successful reorganization can save money and offer new caree... More...

Did you know Mick Jagger is 65 years old? It’s hard to believe, but the lead singer for the Rolling Stones is old enough to be on the cover of AARP magazine. The Baby Boom generation, those children of the psychedelic ‘60s, the kids th... More...

Recently, due to economic pressures in the U.S., we’ve seen a tendency for executives to lean toward new international career opportunities which they perceive perhaps as less problematic and more fertile ground for future career growth. Per... More...

The services of many charitable organizations are in great demand today, yet, the economy has had an impact upon the ability of the donor population to contribute financially towards these organizations. Today, it may be easier for donors to give a g... More...

Tags

News

What's Your Message...

How to Survive the Job Market in 2009

Talk about payback!

Improving Mentoring and Communication through Online Programs

Equal Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits Realized

Reflections- HR community

What's Worse: Losing a Job... or Keeping One?

HR Credibility

Terminations & Downsizing in China

Dealing with an Employee Who is Chronically Late

Que Sera Sera, What will be will be.

Most Brand Management is Misguided and Makes Things Worse

Make Sure Your Payroll Practices are Compliant

The Luxury of Learning... and the Gift of Sharing

Why Daddy?...

When a Dream Takes Hold...

Design Sales Compensation Plans Carefully

Give Feedback; Get Performance

A Case for Performance Feedback

Surviving Tough Times

Drastic Measures

Stay Competitive While Managing a Successful Reorganization

The Boomer Brain Drain

Greener Pastures? Look Before you Leap!

A Gift of Time

	Good Guy = Bad Manager :: Bad Guy = Good Manager. Is it a Myth?

	Base Pay Increases Remain Steady in 2007, Mercer Survey Finds

	Online Overload: The Perfect Candidates Are Out There - If You Can Find Them

	Cartus Global Survey Shows Trend to Shorter-Term International Relocation Assignments

	Rewards, Vacation and Perks Are Passé; Canadians Care Most About Cash