Workforce Development - A Good Investment?

The Upside to Assholes in the Workplace

Our colleagues over at Management-Issues always provide insight into the most compelling issues in todays workplace.  A recent article, entitled "Is there an upside to assholes" cited the contentious question posed in a thought-provoking manifesto by Robert Sutton, a professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford Engineering School and author of (the excellent) The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't (Warner, 2007).

The article discusses the unfortunate truth, Sutton concludes, is that, yes, there are advantages to acting like an asshole (just ask such famous assholes as Steve Jobs of Apple).  As sad as that is, it reminds me of a time when I as a typical precocious and somewhat rebellious teenager was confronted by my Dad who hit me with "Even though you're acting like a total asshole, I don't want you to think you're completely useless."  I couldn't believe in the middle of this verbal attack that he was actually making a supportive statement.  It didn't last however as he continued:  "You can always serve as a terrible example to others."  So, I discovered that being an asshole did in fact have a redeeming side to it.

Unfortunately, Sutton didn't appear to cover THAT specific aspect in his book.  Sad.

Don't Overlook Seniors in the "War for Talent"

It has always been assumed that hiring older workers would be more costly, what with more medical problems and missed workdays. More and more companies are realizing that that is not the case.

• Training, recruitment costs and time spent learning are much lower for older workers;

• Older workers are more prone to staying with a company—not quitting after a few years;

• Turnover rate for workers over 50 is just one tenth that of those under 30;

• Older people these days, especially baby boomers, realize the importance of keeping their minds active and alert

Obviously, you have to be careful about ensuring that they are physically up to the job, but many still have a lot of good brain-matter to put to use...

 

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Six Sigma at the North Pole

Sue Kozlowski, a noted Six Sigma expert, has published a timely view of process efficiency in her recent publication of "A Visit from Sensei Nicholas".

You will not want to miss these perspectives, especially relevant at this time of year as production and supply chain concerns concerns take center stage at the world's pre-eminent manufacturing and distribution enterprise.  Check it out !

Staffing Crisis: What Would Santa Do?

    Everyone in the finance and accounting business knows how hard it is to recruit and retain good professionals. There just aren’t enough to go around. But it doesn’t seem to be a problem for Santa Claus. He employs an army of elves, working year-round for who-knows-what in wages. So why do the elves stay?  These issues are discussed in the article "Staffing Crisis: What Would Santa Do?"

    Rick Telberg, an impressive author for CPA Trendlines, puts retention into perspective this time of year by asking WWSD (What Would Santa Do?).  Rick is President and CEO of Bay Street Group LLC and has some considerable insight and experience in retaining qualified professional staff.

    Check out this insightful article and see what we can learn from the "Jolly Old Elf" himself.

What Naysayers Want for Christmas . . .

    Gianna Clark, as always, has come up with an insightful piece and time-sensitive piece, entitled "What Naysayers Want for Christmas . . ."

Believe it or not, naysayers all over the world are frantically writing letters to Santa.  So what are they asking for?

    Here's a preview :

• Number 8:  A "Harry Potter" invisibility cloak to help them move about the office undetected.

Check it out !  It's full of laughs!

South Pole Elves: An Overlooked Element of Santa's Global Workforce

For decades, Americans and the better part of the Christian world have spread tales of vibrant elves aiding Santa Clause during the holidays. "But the real story hasn't been told," says Peter Wiggley, a South Pole Elf and employee of Santa's global workforce Happy At Work.

In Melissa Arnquist's recent article "South Pole Elves: An Overlooked Element of Santa's Global Workforce" the truth behind the timeless success of Christmas is exposed.

You won't want to miss the details on the details of how work really gets done in preparation for this annual festivity.

Want to Skip a Day at Work? Use an E-Alibi

Alibi Network is a cutting edge full service agency providing alibis and excused absences as well as assistance with a variety of sensitive issues. We view ourselves as professional advisors who understand our clients ’ unique situations. We explore various approaches with our clients and implement the best solution based on the individual case.

read more | digg story

The Forbes Richest 15 Fictionals include plumber who built a $1 billion fortune

This year's selection includes a duck, a wizard, a Nigerian prince and even a plumber. Aggregate (fictional) net worth? $111 billion.

read more | digg story

Redefining Engineering Indeed !

In David R. Butcher's post on ThomasNet's Industrial Market Trends blog article "Redefining Engineering for the Year 2020", he cites not only the present malaise of the Engineering discipline, but discusses the resources and initiatives already looking at this problem, and evaluates a popular approach under consideration:

a Renaissance Man type of engineer. What attributes will that engineer of 2020 have? The NAE report says he or she “will aspire to have the ingenuity of Lillian Gilbreth, the problem-solving capabilities of Gordon Moore, the scientific insight of Albert Einstein, the creativity of Pablo Picasso, the determination of the Wright brothers, the leadership abilities of Bill Gates, the conscience of Eleanor Roosevelt, the vision of Martin Luther King and the curiosity and wonder of our grandchildren.”

Perhaps we will be able to create an army of such super-engineers by 2020, perhaps not.  I personally find the idea fascinating, but likely impossible to acheive. 

I'm reminded of some of the "sage wisdom" I received from my elders as a child.  (Some of these may ring familiar)

• "Keep Your Eye on the Ball"
• "Keep Your Shoulder to the Wheel"
• "Keep Your Ear to the Ground"

I'll repeat the same question I asked when I heard all of these "suggestions" for being successful:
"Will somebody please tell me how in the hell I'm supposed to work in THAT position?"

The Things You Learn After You Know It All

One of my favorites "Silent In the Morning" just did a great job of putting this whole work-life balance thing into perspective with "An Open Letter to Twenty-Somethings" . 

Doesn't matter if you're 25 45 or 65 you'll love it.  If you do, let me know.  If you don't - deal with it !

The real question is:  What makes life worthwhile to you?  Isn't that after all, the ultimate reality in our world?  Is it the work, the stuff, or lifestyle that makes you do what we do?

P.S. My Mom tried to tell me these same things but as I knew the whole deal at the time, I politely listened and then blew off the whole conversation at the time.  Amazing just how smart she turned out to be.