What Exactly Is A Metric? Metrics are measures of output or results.  While some managers use “words” to describe results, metrics require the use of numbers to more accurately “describe” output or performance. When they are correctly developed, metrics take away all doubt about what was and was not accomplished …

Why it's essential to avoid layoffs Laying off thousands of workers is not only embarrassing, it's also expensive. Because the company has invested thousands of dollars in recruiting and training these employees, it makes no sense to release them in large numbers. The negative publicity related to the lay off …

Each of the ten distinct HR models that are outlined above has made a significant impact in some organization because they fit the need at the time. Its important to emphasize that there are no good and bad strategies, just ones that are appropriate for the organization and the goals that it sets.

"Leading indicators or precursors are events or data points that generally occur shortly before an event materializes.” There are two types of warning signs for indicating that there is a coming upturn in employment.  The first group contains precursors that are internal to the company.  These precursors are generally changes …

They Care About What Is Measured And Rewarded CEO’s are always impressed by people that understand what is important to them. And in all cases I’ve ever run across, what is important to them in business is reflected in their evaluation and bonus criteria. Yes of course everyone is influenced …

Most Recruiting Activities Are Not Strategic in Scope Almost everything that an individual recruiter does is intended to resolve an immediate need and is therefore operational or tactical in nature. Because the scope of the outcome is so limited, it is nearly impossible for any single instance to rise to …

Lots of Questions While we have written on this topic extensively, sharing what best practices have been observed, documenting what concepts from other functions can be borrowed to drive a program, and highlighting the firms that for lack of a better phrase kick butt, we are aware that program managers …

The Goals of a Recruiting Culture Recruiting cultures can only be effective if they are focused, and that means that they must have clearly defined goals that everyone understands. The goals of a recruiting culture should include: Demonstrating to all employees that it's in their own best interest to work …

Calculating the cost of a vacancy (COV) is a critical activity, one that’s necessary to determine the actual business impact of talent shortages that result from a gap between the time talent is needed and the time required by the recruiting function to supply such talent. As a metric, it …

In the Part 1 of this article series, I described the high failure rate of most new-hire processes and provided some basic tips on how to improve the assessment process during the interview. In Part 2, I will highlight some more advanced approaches that managers and recruiters can use to improve the …