The uncertainty caused by layoffs can impact both companies and employees in many ways, most of them negative. During large-scale layoffs, morale and productivity can plummet. Even more importantly, it’s common for firms to lose their focus on the customer. If a firm is to avoid the need for future …

Layoffs are coming…layoffs are coming. We all know that it’s true, but few firms really want to confront the layoff issue until it’s too late. When they do start, most firms don’t really know how to do them right or when to begin layoff planning. I’m secretly a layoff strategist …

If you are going to start (or improve) a college recruiting program, it’s essential that you look at what most firms do with a cynical eye. Almost all college programs follow a cookie-cutter approach. They are run on emotion and tradition. Few, if any, have any hard evidence that they …

In a tight job market many corporate recruiting functions are strained to the limit. One option is to “outsource” your higher-level searches to executive search firms. Unfortunately, because of the large number of firms, it is often difficult to decide which firm to choose. Should it be a small “boutique” …

There are literally thousands of articles written in HR about the need to become a “business partner.” What is unique is that there is not a single article on what specific things a recruiter must do in order to become a business partner. This article walks you through the 14 …

If an airline bought a new 747, and then let it sit for two months on the runway because they didn’t have a pilot, what would the cost be to the airline? In other words what is the cost of a vacant position? Many firms calculate the cost of a …

One of my pet peeves in HR is the “overuse” of hiring freezes. All too often, senior managers respond to a minor budget crisis by immediately putting on a hiring freeze. In some companies the freeze seems to be a predictable practice that is repeated once or twice a year, …

A lot of professionals are missing the boat when they look at retention as a single issue.

Most employment systems were designed in the “dark ages” when business moved at the “speed of rock.” In the past when people resigned, a requisition was created and after a relatively long lag time, another person was hired. If the new hire required initial training at the time of their …

HR people are constantly looking for new tools. Attached is a list of proactive HR planning tools that might help you to improve your companies competitive advantage. Share it with your VP HR.