Why would anyone work for free …
I am writing this on a Saturday. I did two hours of work today and two hours last night. I have already worked many hours over my allotted workdays this week. It is unlikely I […]
Tag: Tools Everyone Can Use
Seeing all the people, seeing all the possibilities
When you or your organization goes looking for new people, what do you see? Do you see everyone who could meet or exceed your requirements? Do you include people from different backgrounds, ethnicity, cultures, people who experience barriers to employment. Hiring people is about seeing people without bias, misconceptions; it is about seeing the humanity behind the cover letter or resume.
I was involved in Human Resources for most of may career, I made mistakes; but with help I learned some lessons that might help you and your team.
Stepping back from the edge …
I have been here. Painfully unaware that I was teetering on the precipice. I was lucky, I had good mentors, I had key people who took a chance and told me what I needed to do and gave me the space to change. It wasn’t always smooth but I listened, I learned, and I became better.
As managers and supervisors, we will all eventually find ourselves in this position; how we react determines if we can step back or if we will plunge into the abyss.
What follows is what I was taught, what I learned, and what I continue to use. I hope it helps you.
An Insider’s guide to being a good Career Advisor
There is a special group of people who are making a difference to help people help themselves. I would like to dedicate this post to them, what they have taught me, to the people they help, and to the employers who work with them.
A far too common reality …
In Canada this weekend was for Thanksgiving and I thought reposting this story would be appropriate. The person in this post may be fictional; however, her story is one that is playing out daily in every community in Canada. People who are struggling need our understanding, our help to survive, and for us to provide a framework so they can have their lives back.
Each of us can help, we have a responsibility to make a difference.
What ailments are you causing or ignoring?
Organizations experience major and minor ailments just like people do. Many are the result of external pressures; however, some like “Meeting Narcolepsy” are internally generated. Left undiagnosed and/or untreated these ailments can limit growth, cause decline, and even cause the organization to “die.”
Simple Truths – Nobody is born with a good work ethic.
This past week I attended a meeting where some people were lamenting that their new hires didn’t have a good work ethic and they seemed not to know how to function. Their comments inspired this post because “work ethic” is a learned skill and knowing what and how “to work” is also something that organizations should teach rather than assume.
You may not have noticed … but it has already begun
As a merchant this was always the busiest time of the year. The Christmas and Holiday shopping season can be just as stressful for merchants as it can be for customers; however, for customers I can provide a guide to helping you navigate all of the sales and advertising to reduce your stress and help you obtain better value for your time and money.
An Insider’s guide to preparing for winter.
Today was a hot humid day in mid-September … not a day many people are thinking about winter. It doesn’t have to be today, but before the month is over, consider your plans for dealing with winter for your people.
Yes … you will use algebra after graduation – 10 things you should know before graduating
Twice each year I present a workshop on “How to Keep a Job” for high school cooperative education students. The one piece of advice that was shared with me before my first one was “Don’t be boring.” I keep getting asked back so I must have succeeded.
Each time I speak to students I feel invigorated by their attention and their questions. Last week I spoke to approximately 150 students and their questions inspired today’s post. I wrote this with them in mind, my own three children, and what I had wished I had learned when I was their age.
Please read this, share this, and add your own comments.
It is not too optimistic or too negative, I have tried to balance both so each reader can take some tools away they can use.