This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Consequences of Virtual Meetings

The Herman Trend Alert March 18, 2009 HR Strategic Initiatives for Today and Tomorrow Recently the Human Capital Management Division of the IBM Institute for Business Value released a white paper with its recommendations for leaders coping with the global economic crisis. Implementing this advice, IBM believes that "organizations can use this downturn . . . to position themselves for future opportunities." First, they advise organizations should make informed resourcing decisions. Base those informed decisions on capabilities and gaps, including the costs of rebuilding resources, costs of lost productivity associated eliminating training, and even the opportunity to acquire entire divisions or companies. Second, and this suggestion echoes our book "Lean & Meaningful", focus on "core" versus "non-core" activities. Look for opportunities to outsource and in-source, concentrating on what the corporation does particularly well. These moves may, in fact, improve agility by creating a smaller organization that is better able to respond to changing market conditions. Facing imminent layoffs, organizations are most vulnerable to lose their best performers---those in the highest demand in the labor marketplace. These are people the enterprise can not afford to lose at this critical time. A clearly defined performance management process, coupled with "stay interviews" will help tackle this issue. Downsizing often affects informal social networks that are critical to the efficient operation of the organization. IBM's white paper also cautions employers to be careful with voluntary attrition programs, because they "tend to target those with the most experience and institutional memory"---special people who can provide better support through this period. These challenging times necessitate what we called in our book "How to Become an Employer of Choice" "enlightened leadership". Enlightened leaders are visible, accessible, engaging, and values-driven. These difficult times demand a higher level of strategic response. HR professionals can be instrumental in helping their leaders navigate these rapids---if they are equipped with the knowledge and have the respect of their organizations. Given the length of time this economic situation is expected to endure, wise employers will consider a variety of scenarios, looking at different options they could implement, depending on how the economy evolves in the next few months. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: RETENTION SPECIALIST PROGRAM A growing number of people have expressed an interest in attending our Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program. We'd like to schedule on that's convenient for those who want to attend, but need your feedback to do so. Please place RETENTION SPECIALIST in the subject line and Joyce will personally call you back to schedule the workshop. Or you can call Joyce directly at 336-210-3548 (PDT this and next week). BUSINESS IS PICKING UP Most employers are unprepared. The recovery will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL Discover what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. 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