Multiple times a week I find myself in conversation with talented people who cannot find their way through the maze of today’s employment process. They are eager to put what they know to work for an employer, but the “system” does not let them in. Let me give you a couple of personal examples. Those… Continue reading We are Leaving Talent on the Bench
Blogs
M Live Article- The Jobs Dilemma
I read an article by Melissa Anders from M Live The headline is “The Jobs Dilemma”. I must say it was a great job of reporting differing opinions without trying to drive the readers to her conclusion. Nice job Melissa Anders. There are two sub-headlines. “If Michigan graduates so many skilled students, why can’t they find… Continue reading M Live Article- The Jobs Dilemma
Should Interviewing be Interrogation or Conversation?
I have been trying to figure out why so many people find interviewing a stressful process. Having been a recruiter for over 15 years, I have been in hundreds of interviews. The vast majority of the time I find myself trying to help the interviewees relax enough that we could have a good enough conversation… Continue reading Should Interviewing be Interrogation or Conversation?
…But a Woman’s Work is Never Done
There is an old saying that says, “A man may work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done". Before we get all lost in being politically correct, remember it is an old saying. I wish men would recognize that managing a home is hard work. Combine that with the typical woman… Continue reading …But a Woman’s Work is Never Done
Learning from Those Who Disagree With You
It seems to me that most people do not like to listen to other people talk about a topic that they disagree on. In fact, it is a cultural norm not to discuss topics that might bring disagreement like politics, religion, sports teams, music taste, etc. with a new acquaintance, especially if you wish to… Continue reading Learning from Those Who Disagree With You
Coaching Those That Don’t Know Where They Want To Go
One of the things I have enjoyed most in life is coaching people to find their goal when they don’t even know what that goal is yet. This has happened as a father, as a coach for sports teams, as a business manager and as a mentor. The common thread is recognizing that everyone has… Continue reading Coaching Those That Don’t Know Where They Want To Go
Changing Employment Strategy; Becoming an Employer of Choice
I have been involved in the hiring process for over 30 years. I have managed small departments ranging from a staff of 2 or 3 to having been the Plant Manager of a 3 facility, 150 employee company. I have worked for companies from as small as 4 employees to as large as 200+ employees.… Continue reading Changing Employment Strategy; Becoming an Employer of Choice
A Candidate is More than a Resume
In the recruiting and interviewing process, why is a resume considered to be so important? Can you possibly understand if a candidate would be a great fit for your organization and for the position you are trying to fill from their resume? Most resumes are not written solely by the candidate. They have been “coach”… Continue reading A Candidate is More than a Resume
Too Busy to Get Better
I have spent most of my career improving processes. Early on I was an Industrial Engineer assigned to do time studies at Checker Motors, the taxi cab manufacturer. My job was to find the causes of “wasted time” throughout the company and determine how to remove them. Help people work smarter, not harder. Later in… Continue reading Too Busy to Get Better
Cooperative Collaborations
Company, university and student – what if there was a way you could all win in the game of business? What if a common denominator allowed companies to reduce cost and add creativity, while simultaneously helping universities move students into great careers where these students could thrive? Welcome to the world of Cooperative Collaborations. Cooperative… Continue reading Cooperative Collaborations
Our Employees are Our Greatest Resource…Really?
I have heard a lot of organizations make the statement, “Our People are Our Greatest Resource”. I believe they mean that. They recognize that their people are an integral part of their success. Without their years of effort and their collective knowledge the organization could not function. For 15 years of my career I was… Continue reading Our Employees are Our Greatest Resource…Really?
Internships- Paid versus Unpaid
I have been involved with internship programs for many years. I have managed the program for 2 companies and have helped many other companies start or improve their programs. In those years I have seen the tremendous positive effect an internship program can have on a company or organization. I consider myself a champion for… Continue reading Internships- Paid versus Unpaid
Who Are You Between the Pages of His-Story?
Over the years of reading the Bible I have become more and more aware of something. The actual percentage of the lives of Biblical characters in scripture is very small. Even the major characters like Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, Paul and even Jesus have a very small part of their life on the pages of… Continue reading Who Are You Between the Pages of His-Story?
People Development- Re-Recruiting
I was in a meeting talking about the best companies in West Michigan and their concerns and best practices. A word was used that really resonated with me; re-recruiting. It was mention in the context of retain your current staff. In this current “employment economy” where there are more openings than qualified people, retaining your… Continue reading People Development- Re-Recruiting
Communication Filters
Recently I have become extremely aware of how we all see any situation through the “filter” of our own experiences. I was reviewing a performance management tool with my partner, when he asked me, “In what type of customers would this tool be effective?” After 40+ years of manufacturing management experience, and with the tool… Continue reading Communication Filters
Talent Pipeline
Problem Description- Staff hiring seen as a task to be preformed, not a function of a long-term strategy, has a negative effect on the future functioning of an organization. Comparison to Purchasing- In my 40+ years of business experience, 20+ have been involved in Purchasing and Inventory Management. After having been involved in recruiting and… Continue reading Talent Pipeline
Can you afford NOT to have an Internship Program?
The business world needs a paradigm shift. We need to realize that a well designed Internship Program is not a charitable effort to help a few college students make a few dollars while completing menial tasks in our organizations. Also, it is not finding something to do for your employees’ college students, or college students… Continue reading Can you afford NOT to have an Internship Program?
Christian Life Coach 