[How to Fire Someone] Part 1: The Termination

 

The note from my cycling friend began: 

Fired red stamp

“Hi Mike

Part of my problem is that I’ve never fired (or even broken up) with anybody.

Could you call me at your convenience – perhaps this afternoon?  I can’t remember some of your keywords/points.

I would love if somebody could do this 4 me.”

Firing people from their jobs should be hard.Read the rest

[Life Back West] June 2009 – Step Up Day

Transition markers for the big things in life abound: diplomas from schools, birth certificates of children, employee of the year plaques and deal tombstones . All of them shout out “big step” congratulations.

But what marks the in-betweens – the minor and important accomplishments that put you in a position for those bigger deeds and accomplishments? How do you mark task well done , knowing that it makes you able to do job done well ?Read the rest

[Career Planning: Mergers & Acquisitions] What Do You Do When the Rumors Start?

Nothing’s guaranteed except change, and in business (as well as more than just a few non-profits) that means a churn of possible mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions. Across the country biotech companies, financial services firms like asset managers, hedge funds, venture capital and private equity firms, and any number of companies in other sectors are all scrambling – some to stay alive, others to grow by acquisition.Read the rest

[New Rules] The Pace of Change – Uvalde, Texas 1953

Learnings come at all times, and in all places. This trip to Texas was no different.

But first things first: people were polite friendly at the wedding and the events surrounding the weekend. No one was rude, or in any way inappropriate. The ceremony was nice, and the bride and groom looked great. Food – as part of lifelong quest for the best chicken enchiladas to be found – was good.Read the rest

[Choose Me, Hire Me!] Networking for CEO’s?

Headlines blare: “Why You Should Hire Me.” While times may be challenged, there is work (and jobs) to be had. I’ve been in the people (and teams) assessment business for over 25 years, both as a coach to managers and teams and as someone directly responsible for hiring thousands of people through roles running large staffing / recruiting operations. I’ve designed selection processes, designed and run interviewer training programs, and written and spoken on the subjects of recruiting and selection.Read the rest

[New Rules] Fortune Magazine’s “How to Find a Job” – What’s Working Now

This week’s April 13, 2009 Fortune Magazine (on newsstands now, online in around 10 days) identifies tactics that they believe work in the current job market. Many will sound familiar from readers of the nine-part  “Choose Me” Hire Me! series from the Life Back West blog.

Here are some of the job hunting actions Fortune identified that work:

  • Be thorough and methodical
  • Work your Rolodex
  • Target your search
  • Do your homework
  • Get the word out
  • (Be creative and) Get noticed and get your foot in the door
  • Build your network
  • Offer people intelligence on the competition
  • Fine tune your resume (include metrics and stats)

All of these ideas are really helpful and I think complement the type of know yourself, know your message, and build your network approached advocated by experts such as Richard Nelson Bolles .Read the rest