(this post is a reprint of my article written Jan 2011)

 

The one thing economists seem to agree on is that people who already have jobs will get pay increases or bonuses this year. (Keep your checkbook ready.) But there are conflicting data in the news about how many companies actually plan to hire in 2011—and I’m not sure that it really matters. Whether it’s a bull or bear jobs market, companies that continually nurture their people will always maintain the…

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Of course you want the best talent available for your business, with the characteristics and personality that fit your culture. Hiring the “right” people is critical to every organization. In a recession the stakes are even higher: every smart idea to innovate or save costs matters more; and every bit of passion enhances…

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If you’re searching online for a blind date, you can narrow the field demographically to, let’s say, people between age 35 and 45 who live in Denver. And you can take a peek at the all-important photograph. But is that enough information to make even one valid assumption about someone? Before you commit to that blind date, you’ll want to know what kind of personality they have and what their interests and values are, among other things. That same kind of curiosity about your customers gives…

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I have to tell you, I’m done with the “new normal.” Let’s get back to business! It was in this state of mind that I recently attended a Colorado CEO Forum where I had the good fortune to hear speaker/author/trainer/coach Jack Daly. What a refreshing perspective he offered on the opportunities for robust growth in any market.…

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Leading authors are writing about it; conferences are featuring it; and many are calling on corporations to report on it. The triple bottom line—people, profits and planet—has unofficially become a leading indicator. Rather than being measured solely on profitability, companies, and their customers, are increasingly adopting “the three pillars” to define business success.

The term “triple bottom line” was first used in 1989 by sustainability consultant John Elkington to define…

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Probably the most common definition of an organization's culture is "the way we do things around here." If you're an executive describing your culture, you're most likely referring to your mission, vision and values; and your core beliefs and what they represent. Something like: "We have a culture of accountability, high quality customer service, respect for employees and a commitment to community service." And you, yourself, may exhibit and experience all of these characteristics. But what…

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Smart leaders know that strategic hiring and deployment of their top talent are essential to managing risk, achieving business outcomes and ensuring future sustainability. It’s the strength of your people that drives the rise or fall of your business—especially in hard times.



If your talent management philosophy consists of finding and hiring people when you need them, it’s time to make a paradigm shift. Capabilities and leadership gaps need to be filled in order to grow… Continue

Can you succeed in "the great recession" without engaged employees? Maybe, but only if your competitors' employees aren't engaged either. Engaged employees' willingness to give their all is what unlocks the greatest potential for competitive advantage. It's their attitudes and actions that make the critical difference, especially to your customers. The small percentage of companies that consistently delivers an exceptional customer experience will create a wide gap with competitors-those whose… Continue

Most boards focus on annual budgets and financial outcomes, often limiting their involvement in talent management to recruiting and hiring a CEO and managing his or her performance. Successful organizations know that's not enough. Talent is typically the largest single line item in an annual financial plan and the chief factor in achieving strategic objectives. Managing your talent is another critical aspect of asset management and merits the full attention of your board.



Eight… Continue

Recruiting strategies may flex and change with economic conditions and in reaction to competitors in the market. But there are certain best practices that are a constant benefit to every organization that adheres to them, whether the economy is up or down. Recruiting excellence has a direct, and positive, impact on the bottom line. Increasing revenue per employee and saving turnover costs are two important benefits. Here are six recruiting best practices that will make a measureable difference… Continue

You hire someone. They don’t work out. They leave. What is it that you remember and say about them in the past tense? It’s rarely the fact that they didn’t know how to work the numbers, or that they couldn’t put the pieces of a widget together. No, it’s almost always their soft skills that generate conversation—their personality, character and values.



Two recent scenarios from my personal experience serve as good examples: A multi-generation family-run, team-oriented company in… Continue

A recent Forbes article by Matthew Kirdahy titled “Filling the Talent Pool” begins: “The focus at private equity firms is shifting. Cash will always be king, but looking ahead, the most important type of capital may very well be human. It's a company's bold leadership that carries it into financial prosperity—not its product, services or numbers.” This new focus on talent will surely improve the success rate of acquisitions, which is typically rated at less than 50 percent.



Because… Continue

"I would rather be tied up to stakes in the Kalahari Desert, have honey poured over me and red ants eat out my eyes than open a Twitter account. Is there anything you can say to change my mind?"

-Maureen Dowd, New York Times Columnist



"Well, when you do find yourself in that position, you're gonna want Twitter. You might want to type out the message 'Help.'"

-Biz Stone, co-founder Twitter



Twitter, which allows you to send 140-character text messages, and other… Continue

Late at night...no one around for miles - and yet you stop at the red light and wait. Why? You stop because it's the ethical thing to do. We trust each other to stop, whether or not anyone is watching. You could say that trust is the outcome of ethical behavior.



It's difficult to define, exactly, what ethical behavior is; and it's impossible to measure. But we can sense when ethics are present in an individual or a company culture - and especially we sense it when they're not.… Continue

It's superstars who make the critical difference in your company's performance. Everyone wants the superstars, and you have to fight for them - both the ones you have and the ones you want. Winning takes a multi-faceted approach that includes building a healthy culture and involves everyone in the organization.



Profile of a Superstar:

The first step in the fight to win superstars is understanding who you are looking for and what they value. How do you recognize a superstar,… Continue