Fall arrived about 10 days ago, but with the arrival of October, it psychologically seems to be more in tune with the season. Depending on how you look at your calendar, fall can range from a “back to school” vibe to the jolt that there are only 90 remaining until the end of the year.
As this year continues to be unlike any we’ve ever experienced, I challenge you to think about what you’d like to accomplish between now and the end of the year and then commit to action.
Last time we looked at issues related to virtual hiring and today’s topic is what to do after someone is hired. Virtual onboarding is obviously a little trickier than onboarding in person, so here are some tips. Some of these are obvious, but who hasn’t had a time when the obvious was forgotten?
+ Replace a job description with a statement of roles and accountabilities. Clearly identify what is expected and identify the accountabilities. Accountabilities are important because it demonstrates from the beginning that you expect the person to be responsible for outcomes. Review this on the first morning and check back during the next few weeks to make sure the person is clear on these responsibilities.
Are you in hiring mode? Even if you’re not at the moment, as we are six months into the pandemic at some point you’ll need to add some staff, especially if you have strategic or even immediate needs.
Not all companies have returned to their physical places of work, and as a result, your interviews and hiring decisions are likely to be made based on video calls.
I can’t believe that Labor Day is around the corner. This was a milestone for many people earlier in the pandemic, then it fizzled to “ho hum” as the summer wore on and the economy didn’t return to its former vibrancy.
Take a moment to remember why we celebrate Labor Day. Everything from a five-day workweek to paid vacation time has roots in the labor movement, which spawned huge changes for working people.
You know the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. We all succumb to this from time to time. And when it happens, it’s not always easy to snap out of it.
During challenging economic times we don’t have time to be “insane”. We need to do. We need to be productive. We need results.
The days of in-person cocktail parties, lunches, coffees, or association gatherings are distant memories. While it may be a while before we again break bread with clients or colleagues, you can still nurture your network virtually.
Some people are reluctant to stay in touch, concerned that they may hear some bad news, creating an ackward moment for someone. You won’t know if you don’t ask. And the longer you wait to reach out, the harder it will become.
Many managers – especially inexperienced ones – suffer from resistance to delegation. They often declare that it’s easier to do it themselves than to ask someone less experienced to handle it.
The challenge is, of course, that if you don’t delegate, you’ll suffer from perennial mountains of work and your “delegatees” will never get the experience.
A recent Gallup article discussed ways that companies can continue employee development in spite of tighter budgets. Among the many good points raised, the author emphasizes that leaders could focus on the development of behavioral skills that are key to high performance.
Some leaders express frustration over the need to consider employee development when there are so many “more pressing” issues to consider. This is short sighted.
The answer to this question requires action! Reflect on the conversations you’ve had recently with your clients or customers. Do you really know what’s on their minds, or are you making assumptions?
Often, we project our opinions onto our clients. If we are struggling with COVID related problem X, we assume that our clients are also struggling with the same problem.
Creativity is so important for businesses, now more than ever during the pandemic. Leaders who have taken the position of “we’ve always done it this way” have found themselves in dire conditions. Revenue that plummeted is taking far longer than ever imagined to return.
Most companies that find themselves in this situation have made at least some efforts to modify how they do business to generate new sources of revenue. But small changes aren’t enough to keep troubled companies in business for the long term.