I’ve survived 6 recessions without laying anyone off and you can too
My thanks to Pat Welch, CEO and co-founder of Boly:Welch for this blog. After nearly 50 years in this industry, here’s my advice on how to navigate a recession: Don’t lead with fear.Keep a positive mindset. Recessions happen — but they always end eventually. In my experience, they’re an opportunity to lean into your values, […]
#16 Just Be With Me
My friend Mary will probably die within a week. At 96, she’s lived a rich, full life. When I visited her yesterday morning, I asked if she would like me read scripture, or sing to her, or whatever. Barely audible, she answered, “Just be with me.” We were reminiscing and I mentioned Judy, who had […]
Creative Muse Is On Vacation
My creative muse is on vacation. My blogs will resume September 19. Thanks for understanding. I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer. Gary
#14 Trust
If levels of trust were a stock market indicator, we would say we are in a very bearish market. A March 2021 Gallup Panel survey found that only 23% of U.S. employees strongly agree that they trust the leadership of their organization. This affects us all. When people lose trust in leaders, their decisions are […]
#13 Unplug!
Are you as addicted to being connected as I am? I’ve always got my phone with me, and I check messages and e-mails frequently. On a recent vacation in Hawaii, I took my laptop and checked e-mails and messages daily. “So that I don’t have a mountain waiting for me when I get back” is […]
Where Did All the Workers Go?
There are not enough traditional workers to fill the needs of employers any more. McKinsey research shows that only 35% of people who quit their jobs in the last two years remained in the same industry! 48% moved to a different industry, and 17% did not return to the workforce. So where can you find […]
#11 Employee-Friendly Schedules
Some employees do not have predictable schedules, which prevents them from planning their personal lives. After we moved to Oregon, my wife enjoyed working retail at a women’s clothing store for several years. Unfortunately, the store refused to schedule employees more than a week out. Her shift varied from one day to the next. Some days […]
Ride of Paul Revere
“Listen my children, and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…” Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. However, the shooting revolution started 15 months earlier, April 19, 1775, with the battle of Lexington and Concord, as commemorated by Longfellow’s poem. On that day, 700-800 British […]
9 People Are Not Machines (and that’s good!)
I had a really good blog all ready to send today. Then I tested positive for COVID yesterday, and my carefully scheduled life got completely unscheduled. We count on machines to always be ready, always available, and they usually are, as long as we maintain them properly. Given the huge strides by the quality movement […]
8 – From Programmer to VP Sales and Marketing
One more way to retain and attract people: a “grow your own” process. You ask each employee what they’d like to be doing 5 or 10 years in the future, then actively support them as take the risk of trying something new. You can help them get the education and skills and training to be […]