Corporate application processes on-line are just as frustrating as the job boards. They lure you in with “Upload Your Resume”. Then you find the upload was unable to pre-fill the needed information so you must input additional data. More often than not, you must input all data. This is fine however; it takes away all the creative effort we have traditional used in searching for jobs. The art and/or science of writing a resume is dead! Not to mention the now nonexistent cover letter. All your creative efforts are translated into data. This makes it extremely efficient for a human resources clerk to quickly match up basic job requirements and screen out those that do not qualify. Although, based upon my years as an executive, it is also very easy for a  human resources clerk to file away applications and send “Thank you for your application however. . .” letters to people that should have been considered.

Unfortunately, hiring good people, something that I believe is a talent or art form, has been reduced to a science. A science that will not identify the best, most passionate people. It will produce average employees that posses the basic requirements necessary for the job. It is a process that is very cumbersome and annoying for anyone looking for a job.

Laid Off And Looking – WSJ

As an executive of one of these companies I found the best strategy to build positive experiences for employees was to spend meaningful time with them. Surveys indicated that satisfaction levels were high at senior management and middle management levels. The satisfaction rates began to decline at line management and were even lower for front line employees. My colleagues wrote it off to career aspirations of entry level vs. management level people and/or the difference of Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y. I determined it was because they do not get exposure to the executive and senior management teams, other than email or second/third hand information from their managers. This lack of exposure left all perceptions of the company to a group of people that may or may not share the total vision of the organization. As such, the mission could be watered down or relayed with less passion.

I began spending the majority of my time out in the field meeting with the employees. Many executives do road shows. The problem with most of these is they are highly choreographed shows designed for executives to deliver a message to the troops. In most cases they try to build excitement, then the executive in charge gets up and pontificates. I found it more beneficial to sit down in small groups, usually around 12 people, share some thoughts regarding our key objectives, then ask questions regarding what they thought stood in our way of accomplishing our key objectives or what they thought people meant based on the responses in our surveys. What were their general responses?

1. They were unhappy with the lack of communication they got from their direct supervisors/managers.
2. They get annoyed with people that quickly tell them what they are doing wrong but never say “Thank you”.
3. They wanted to feel valued and valuable.

If you are looking to create a positive experience for your employees, just spend some time with them, sharing, listening and caring.

Why Google Employees Quit

Everyone is feeling the pinch. As people cut back, they will start to drop other services and the economy will continue to worsen. It would appear we have entered an economic death spiral.

Companies have faced this challenge for years, driven by the need to increase profit. Only two ways to accomplish this task, increase revenue or decrease expenses. When revenue is decreasing or holding constant, the only option is to cut expenses.  And the cutting of expenses creates less potential revenue. The death spiral!

Outsourced Chores Come Back Home – NY Times

So, what has 2008 taught us?

1. Companies are only concerned about employees, if it can help them make more money!
2. Companies are only concerned about customers, if it can help them make money!
3. Companies are only concerned about making money!
   
4. There are evil people in the world.
5. There are good people in the world.
   
6. As much as you would like to help, some people are helpless.
   
7. Looking out for yourself, and those you care most about, must be priority number 1.
   

Hard lessons learned through life experience! As much as I would like to help you avoid the situations that led me to these conclusions, I realize that you may need to experience them for yourself. Over the next few days/weeks I will go into more detail regarding each of these items. Perhaps it will help someone. If not, it will at least keep me from getting bored!

]]> http://theexexec.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/lessons-learned-in-2008/feed/ 0 The Ex-Exec http://theexexec.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/companies-make-deals-taxpayers-subsidize-risk/ http://theexexec.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/companies-make-deals-taxpayers-subsidize-risk/#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:49:01 +0000 theexexec http://theexexec.wordpress.com/?p=6 ]]> I am unsure when this became the new business model in the US business market? The problem is firmly planted on human greed! The biggest mistake occurred when we shifted from a focus on financial performance or return on investment and began to focus on shareholder value. Today companies make every decision based upon shareholder value. Since executives live on stock options and RSUs, it is in their best interest.

Today’s economic difficulties are built upon the notion of every year you must produce more. Some very successful companies have figured out their unique niche and focus on serving that market. In fact, they sometimes create a strategic plan targeting to maintain the status quo. Outsiders view these companies as lacking a vision or short on ambition. I believe their vision of small gains, focus on the niche, while decreasing maximum earnings potential, has avoided the major problems other companies face. How can the companies that took greater risk, also providing greater financial rewards for executives and shareholders, now be held harmless in this financial crisis!

Government bailouts may be good for the immediate economic crisis (although this will take several years, perhaps decades, to prove or disprove). Government bailouts are not good for the companies that are prudent in their fiduciary responsibilities! The prudent executives that made sound decisions will now suffer as the egotistical giants are given more capital to continue building their empires risk free!

Bank of America to Receive Additional $20 Billion (NY Times)