Biz Org & Management..?

When I was in college I took a phenomenal course which had everything to do with Business and nothing to do with emotion.
Business Organization and Management.
The professor looked more like a gym teacher, complete with bald head and parachute pants, but he was a seasoned man of the business world, who had the good sense to achieve the credentials to also teach college level business courses.

"The mark of a successful company is the bottom line, yes, but a successful company must also take into consideration its level of turn over and true overall employee satisfaction. Question for you future college graduates."
I remember that he stopped to adjust the whistle that hung around his neck, yes, he wore a whistle.
"What makes a company truly successful? If their employees stay while stocks are up? While the money is flowing in, while the bottom line is rising and the goals are being reached?"
We stared as a class.
"So what happens when there is a slump in the economy? When the goals are missed due to an economic downturn? When employees are still producing but customers aren't really spending and the money isn't really flowing? How should the company treat those same employees? Company ABC does need to stay a float. They still need to pay the expenses, pay the paychecks, keep the vendors in the black. So Company ABC begins taking away merit raises, bonuses previously projected, stock options, & end of the year parties to keep the bottom line and keep the shareholders happy. Salaried employees are downgraded to hourly and hourly employees must now begin to clock in and out as opposed to their standard 8 am to 5 pm schedule previously worked.
What happens to the employees? How do these changes effect their job performace? How does it effect their attitude? What do employees begin to think about? Guess who starts updating and circulating their resumes, economic downturn or not? They may stay for the time being. They may stay during the downturn... or will they? What happens when the downturn turns upward? Business is cyclical. There are algorithms that can dictate if the winner of the Super Bowl will or will not effect the stock market the following day, so guess what other calculations exist? The trends in business rise and fall like the waves on Seaside."

Thought provoking.

"So," he finished, "Case Study for next class, based on what Company ABC has done, What happens to the employee population once the downturn turns upward? Do they stay? Do they not? What could Company ABC do to preempt the largest turn-over they've seen to date in their workforce? Can they do anything? Have the dice already been cast regarding their employee level of satisfaction and feeling of employee worth? Keep in mind that each time a company loses an employee, it costs them money. Each time they need to hire an employee, it cost money. In the upwards of thousands per interchange. So, what is more cost effective? Leave the bonuses, the stocks, the niceties and deal with the shareholders or take away take away take away, and then spend money, recruiting, hiring, training and waiting for the new employee curve to diminish? 3 possible solutions for next class."

I began thinking about that class earlier this week after speaking to a few people who are in the midst of finding to employment and also after my own few weeks of job searching and interviewing.

Although my case study has since been submitted and graded, received an A by the way, I have experienced the above and would have to say that the workforce is being ruined by the workforce itself. A form of cannibalism almost. Companies are hurting the very lifeline that is keeping them a float. No one is talking about reckless spending to compensate employees, but keeping the employees that are keeping the companies a float is more than just a novel idea.

These are the people who know the company systems, how to handle the difficult clients, the important information that hasn't been documented yet, the name of the head of Customer Support, the personality of the VP and the birth date of is assistant. So when the economic downturn turns upward, and it will, the employee who knows so much and you can't live with out, could be handing in their notice and scheduling their exit interview.

Also, in conclusion, small bit of advice for employers who are seeking to locate and hire new talent:

Please stop using the following terms, phrases and or questions when posting positions, pre-qualifying or qualifying possible hires and interviewing talented, eager, interested, intelligent people for jobs.

#1. Are you interested in unlimited compensation potential?
Translation: OFcourse! Everyone is interested in unlimited compensation potential. BUT be honest, this is a commission paid position only. There is no base to rely on, you are only paid by commission and therefore will be taxed as so and probably receive less than reputable training in how to sell Knives, Bulk Frozen Food, Cleaning Supplies, Water Filters... or whatever other random set of items that can result in unlimited compensation potential.

#2. We are looking for energetic, self starters who want to make 6 figures with in their 1st year.
Translation: Well I HOPE you want an energetic, self starter, what is the other option? Lazy, lacks motivation & needs constant supervision.
This is also a commission paid only position. There is no base.
But unlike unlimited compensation potential, you are required to sell to everyone you know, and then strangers, the ladies at the nail salon, the man behind the deli counter at Stop and Shop. The interview will consist of you watching a video about unlimited potential, no salary caps and somehow the setting of the video will involve a boat, a beach, beautiful people carelessly wearing non-descript styles of clothing with a touch of the early 90's. The person interviewing you will talk about how they reached 6 figures their first year no sweat. The person will be dressed somewhat casually but a tad professional.

#3: Would you like to work at home and earn up to 1k from the comfort of your home?
Translation: Who wouldn't wanna work at home in their pajamas? You will make a small investment to work at home, then begin to stuff envelopes perfectly, as directed by the guidelines included in the package you received because of your small investment, only to never actually have stuffed the envelopes perfectly. You will not make your 1k from the comfort of your living room.

#4: Here at Company ABC we are interested in you being your own person. Being a 'hunter'. Being a force to reckon with. We need a self starter. An independent, yet team player.
Translation: Cold Calling. You need to cold call. You need to collect business cards from office parks that have signs up which say 'No Solicitation.' And unless you are planning on riding a woolly mammoth and carrying spears, really should professionals be referred to as a 'hunter'? How about we call it what it is... Persistence, tenacity, won't take not for an answer?

#5: How do you feel about being a contract employee?
Translation: How do I feel... well there are no health benefits, no 401k, no stocks, there is no longevity, there is no loyalty and there really is no solid future with this position. Also you will need to use your own resources, car, laptop and supplies. You probably will not be reimbursed. When the contract ends, so will the position, obviously. Also, beware that may times, a staffed employee was let go and this 'contract employee' position was generated to replace the staffed employee. Except 'contract employee' costs less money to employ.

All in all, employers can be as selective as they would like to be. That is their right, as they are the employers, but your company is only as successful as the workforce that keeps it going.
That is the same workforce that keeps the money coming in and in turn keeps the company in business and with out them, well the bottom line of a company with no workforce doesn't really make anyone any money, does it?

The Rule of 3rds.

In the last few months I have been exploring new avenues of employment and in many ways, going back to the world from whence I came from.

I missed working in a creative field.
Not that I didn't enjoy the 4 years I spent surrounded by office supplies and technical integrations, it was educational at best and I met some really outstanding characters along the way.

No, now though, as I have voluntarily re-entered the ranks of interviewee after 4 years I am struck again by something that I have known all too well for all too long...

People DO NOT listen when you speak.
They may HEAR you, but this, this, is MUCH different than actually LISTENing.

Online application for a Digital Retoucher position.
I apply. I have retouched, retouched again and touched up peoples retouches, I am qualified. I have had my resume reviewed and it reflects all my qualifications in this regard.

I submit my resume and appropriate cover letter.
Two weeks pass. The phone rings.

My latest experience. Earlier today, middle of the afternoon.

"Hello." I answer.

Silence.

"Hi, this is Lauren." I say again.

Delay, papers shuffle, "Hhhello?! I am looking for Lauren Hill."

"This is she." I reply.

"Hi, Ms. Hill, I am calling from 'Enter Recruiter/HR company here' you recently applied for a position with our company."

"I believe that I did."

"Ms. Hill, I said, you recently applied for a position with our company."

I reply again, "Yes, I believe that I did."

Recruiter/HR person continues, "Would you like to know more about continuing your education?"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"We are a career counseling service that can also set you up with a college of your choice."

I reply, "Uhm, well I would like to hear a little more about the position I applied for first."

HR/Recruiter, "SO you don't want to know more about how you can receive your Associate's Degree."

"I actually already have my Associates Degree. You do have my resume, yes? I can resend it if necessary?"

"Well if you would like to continue your education and receive your Associate's Degree I would be happy to assist you with that."

I sit down and readjust the phone on my shoulder, "I have a question, are you in fact a recruiter?"

"I am a recruiter sir."

"Sir?" I respond.

"Ma'am, we can also offer you a credit counseling service along with job placement."

At this point in the call I was not sure if I was signing up for a credit check, going through a phone interview, speaking with a call center or what...
"No thank you, I am not interested. I would like to hear more about the Digital Retoucher position that I applied for though."

Recruiter. "The position? Yes. The position is in Morristown, NJ. Are you familiar with the field of Digital Retouching?"

"What? Yes. You do have my resume don't you?"

"Your resume says here that you have an Associates Degree in Commercial Design and Photography. Can you describe further what Commercial Photography is?"

"Sure, it is really photography and design that is meant to sell a clients product or service. As opposed to creating for yourself you are creating for a client and/or their vision."

"I see. And the commercial aspect, I have never heard of that before, is it, for both photography and design?"

"I'm sorry?" I respond puzzled. "Yes. I am sorry, you are a recruiter for Creative Staffing, correct?"

"So do you also have experience in this field?"

"Yes. As outlined on my resume, I have over 7 years of experience."

"I see and how many years experience do you have?"

Silence. "7 years."

"I see." Pen clicking in the echo of the phone. "Ms. Hill, I think you could be a good fit for this position."

Excellent, I think. Maybe this conversation has been some sort of Meyers Briggs personality test... maybe this is the way the recruiter weeds ppl out?

"Ms. Hill can you send me a copy of your resume and cover letter?"

"Of course, but if I may ask, what have you been reading off of? "

"Your resume and cover letter."

Silence.

"Oh, I see, yes, we won't be needing that I suppose."

The conversation went on in this fashion for about 10 more minutes. It's culmination was the icing on the cupcake that was this conversation.

"So Ms. Hill, do you have plans on going back to school for you Associate's Degree?"

"As I stated before I already have my Associate's degree. If you don't mind me asking, are you reading from a script of sorts?"

"No, Lauren, I am most certainly not."

In my head, I was hoping for a response of at least a, 'I do have a list of questions to assist as an outline for these types of conversations...' or maybe a 'We like to be prepared with questions to assess out candidates...' but no, I received a 'most certainly not'.

Frightening. I thought, maybe this poor recruiter has sifted through so many applicants that now all the responses roll together.

"Ms. Hill, my last question for this preliminary conversation..."

And here it was.

"What commercial experience do have if any in this field?"

Yes. This was my conversation.

I realize that in this day and age of text messages, emails, blogging, such as this one, Skype, tele-conferencing... you get the point, in this day and age, shouldn't our reading and hearing skills be improving as opposed to regressing?

I mean, we as a society are smarter than we ever were in times past, children as young as 6 are able to log on to their iBook play a customized Dora game, build a farm online and then print our the coloring book pages they want to color. SO why are conversations, especially professional ones, becoming harder and more frustrating.

I submit the rule of 3's. An idea, memo, statement, direction, finding, suggestion, answer and any other synonym you can think of for the above words, should be repeated at a minimum of 3 times to ensure the recipient not only hears it but LISTENS to it.

This submission could be in an either written form or verbal but 3 times. I am sure if a scientific study was done, the rule of 3rds would hold true. 3 times is the charm. 3 times is the minimum, 3 times and you may get a response.

Yes, listening doesn't mean that you are hearing and this is becomming more and more evident as each day progresses.

Good Morning Maui!! Maybe I should've stayed in bed?

I awoke this morning to the heavy clouds that blow through Napili from time to time. They are dense but only appear for a few minutes as they pass through the stratosphere.

I watched in amazement as the dark of the early morning gave way to the light of the now pale blue sky above. It was as if an artists was painting away the white canvas in front with the pale blue mixed off their pallet.

The sunlight rays made the scene next. Casting oranges, pale pinks and hues of warmth across the landscape. Again the painter making adjustments to the canvas before him. Light strokes of color offsetting the white of the canvas.

Watching as the sky took on the painting session before me, I stumbled for my camera sitting on the table. Newly cleaned, dusted and reassembled. I grabbed a pair of flip flops and the car keys, making my way down the street in our rented Chevy to the beach entrance below. I hurried out of the car, locking the doors behind me and walked through the early morning calm to the shoreline rock wall.

Before me was the canvas of painted sky alive with the glory of morning, the ocean below, as turquoise as a crayon and the noise of crashing waves all around...

The air makes me giddy as I take my camera out of my bag - I raise it... frame a perfect landscape through the view finder and then click.

Click. Click? ?

Nothing. Huh? Why nothing? I bring the camera down to have a look. New lens is working... lens cap removed... but I have forgotten the battery.

An essential part of this entire time... a battery. The battery. Still sitting on the table.

Ugh. Maybe I should've stayed in bed. Shooting this landscape this morning, just not meant to be.

But I make the best. There is always tomorrow, there is always another morning... and the next morning, will be different from this morning... the canvas re-painted, the waves re-crashing and me, rethinking the importance of bringing the battery as well as the back-up battery.

Ah inspiration!

I quit.

"thank you for the opportunity, training & education over the last 4 years. I have chosen to pursue another avenue..."

So went a part of my resignation letter to my team manager and Implementations manager. Yes, amid the financial crisis that surrounds us, the economic decline, the media driven panic that has been the 2009 fiscal year, I quit.

I quit my "stable" 8:30 am to 5:00 pm job. I gave up the health benefits, the 401k with 3% match (was 6% at one time), Employee stock purchase plan, Stock grants (already taken away by the company share holders, due to economic times), the Keurig K-Cup coffee machine, the 45-minute paid lunch, the 2 15 minute a day breaks, the 2 weeks paid vacation, the 5 personal days, 3 1/2 walled cube and laptop, for what?

For what? For... for... for... finding out if what I want and what I need can be the same thing. Can what I want support what I need? Can I find employed fulfillment by being fulfilled by my employment?
As the question of the chicken and the egg has plagued mankind... the question of employment fulfillment through being employed doing something fulfilling may be the chicken egg of the 30 somethings in the workplace now.

"So, WHAT are you going to do?" I was asked. "Where are you going to work?" "How are you going to buy food?"

My response, I shrug, "I am going to do something creative. I have money saved." Here is the secret to the shock factor, "I have been living simply, I have SAVED money... in preparation of something big." Something like this moment, I think to myself.

So I did, I quit. I have a preliminary plan. I have a plan - I have... a plan.

I have moved to Hawaii. I live on Maui. And I am figuring it out.