New Year's Resolutions for Corporations

As a former corporate executive, investor, and potential loyal customer, I have witnessed some unfortunate decisions, policies, and behavior norms within large, reputable businesses. Wouldn’t it be nice if more corporations would set higher standards by which they would operate? Here are some ideas for New Year’s resolutions that would generate admiration and loyalty in the heart of employees, customers, and investors: · We will unfailingly treat our employees with the respect and care that reflects our public statements about how important they are to the success of our company. · Our advertisements and marketing will be devoid of mean-spirited humor and demeaning sexual stereotypes. · Motivated, responsible, innovative managers will be consistently recognized and rewarded over those who spend energy posturing and positioning themselves politically. · Our working relationships with vendors and service providers will not only be respectful, but also productive, beneficial, and financially attractive for all parties. · We will always be open to new ideas that make our company, our products, and our work environment better. · Our collective energy will be consistently focused on things that truly matter, as clearly stated in our mission, values, and goals. Please comment and share your ideas for other Corporate New Year’s Resolutions.

The Humanity of Leadership

A question endlessly explored by MBA programs, training seminars, self-help books, and (lately) LinkedIn postings is, “What makes a good leader?” An answer rarely seen is, “Humanity”. The end of the year is a good time for leaders to open up a little more than usual, and show a less officious side of themselves. Set the tone for the coming year by being thoughtful, demonstrably appreciative, empathetic, and truly interested in those around you. This is a busy time of year, for everyone – including businesses. There are performance reviews to conduct, budgets to balance, annual goals to appraise, and expense reports to file. In addition, everyone has personal activities distracting them, including the holidays, family gatherings, shopping for gifts and special meals, and dealing with what Mother Nature chooses to deal out. It’s easy for everyone to be so busy that the year ends with only a collective exhausted sigh. As soon as it’s over you are leading the charge toward new goals, fresh projects, and more pressure. True leaders must halt the wheels of industry long enough to show some humanity. Make sure your team’s accomplishments for the year are applauded. Celebrate the achievement of goals. Take time to visit with individuals. Ask them about their family, their health, and how they are celebrating the holidays. Thank them for something specific they did this year that made a difference. Reach into your pockets (not company coffers) and give gifts, host a meal, or invite your team to your home for a gathering. This is the time of year to pull out the stops and show you care. These kindnesses, this humanity, will go a long way toward building a connection with your work colleagues, your persona as a leader, and loyalty to your company. Last week, my husband and I went to see a stage version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. As always, we smiled throughout Fezziwig’s joyous office party. It was enthusiastically enjoyed by the young Scrooge, and wistfully recalled by him in his travels with the Ghost of Christmas Past. In contrast, there was Scrooge’s business partner Jacob Marley. Remember this?: JACOB MARLEY: In life, my spirit never rose beyond the limits of our money-changing holes! Now I am doomed to wander without rest or peace, incessant torture and remorse! EBENEZER: But it was only that you were a good man of business, Jacob! JACOB MARLEY: BUSINESS? Mankind was my business! Their common welfare was my business! And it is at this time of the rolling year that I suffer most! Apply a good dose of humanity to your role as a leader, during the holidays and throughout the year.

A Unique Marketing Vehicle

Yesterday I was on an el train in Chicago, headed home a bit cranky after some unsuccessful Christmas shopping. Suddenly, across the tracks at the Belmont stop, what to my wondering eyes should appear but a special train decorated with colorful lights and holiday greetings? And that’s not all. Between two passengers cars, on a flatbed, was Santa and his reindeer! Cheerful seasonal music could be heard emanating from the train. What really surprised me was my reaction. I’m 54 years old, but I reacted like a kid. Whipping out my cell phone, I called my husband to excitedly describe what I had seen. He said, “How cool! You saw the Holiday El Train.” Here’s the deal – each year, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) decorates one train for the holidays and runs it on various regular routes. They post the schedule on their web site. Santa is a CTA employee who volunteers his time. Cost to the city is minimal. What is the benefit? Look at it from a marketing and communications standpoint. As a marketing vehicle (pardon the pun) – it must appeal those visiting Chicago. Imagine if you just arrived at O’Hare Airport and this is the train that took you into the city. Your fellow passengers are in a good mood, and in addition to an efficient means of transport you have a memorable experience that puts a smile on your face. You probably tell others about it as well. Chicago residents enjoy the Holiday Train too. Surprised commuters get a wave from Santa as his sleigh goes by. Children ride public transportation too, and this does not fail to delight thousands of youngsters every day. From a communications perspective, the CTA maintains that it’s a morale booster for their employees. The train is decorated by volunteers, and staff vies for working on that particular train. What a lift they must get from rider’s reactions! After my personal sighting, I searched the internet for information, and got 58,400 hits. YouTube had 57 videos. Google images yielded over 21,000 photos. If you could calculate the number of impressions (mostly very positive) generated by the CTA through the Holiday Train, it would be - well - impressive. Grinches will argue the details and the PC-ness of this Chicago tradition. But it’s hard to deny its brilliance as a marketing/communications initiative. Besides, it’s just fun.

Looking for a Job? Don't Panic - 10 Things to Do Instead

With the unemployment rate hovering around 10% nationwide, probably every one of us knows people who have recently lost their jobs. Companies are trying to remain profitable (or at least lose less money) during a serious recession. Salaries are a big part of overhead. To the executives, it’s business. To those directly affected, it’s their career and their life. First and foremost, DO NOT panic. Panic tends to hamper the ability to act with purpose, and it is a time for focused action. If you didn’t see your job loss coming, you may not have been well-prepared for a job hunt. So get prepared now, and fast. 1. ASSESS YOUR FINANCIAL SITIATION: How long will your savings last? Depending on the type of job you seek, you could need 6 to 8 months of money to pay living expenses while you are unemployed. (For senior executives, 1 to 2 years is more realistic.) 2. POLISH YOUR RESUME: Be sure it’s current, complete, professional, attractive, compelling, and error-free. Get help from your friends or an expert to make sure it’s the best it can be. Once you have your base resume, it can be easily tweaked when applying for specific opportunities. 3. UPDATE LINKEDIN: Be sure the information on LinkedIn is consistent with your resume. 4. FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT: The best case scenario is that you won’t need it – but it’s there to help you through exactly this type of transition. 5. NETWORK RELENTLESSLY: Let your personal and professional contacts know that you are available for a new opportunity, and that your contact information has changed. Most positions are acquired through networking – not advertisements or public job postings. Get involved in community and professional organizations, where you can meet new people and learn new things. The bigger your network, the more chance you will be in contact with someone who can help you. 6. PURSUE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS: You have time now that you can use to enhance your skills and make you more attractive to potential employers. That sort of initiative makes a good impression. 7. CONTACT YOUR COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION: Some schools have Career Services departments that help alumni as well as students. Ask for help and get involved. 8. PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEWING SKILLS: Ask a friend or mentor who has hiring experience to conduct a mock interview and give you honest feedback on your “performance”. If you get your foot in the door for a real interview, you want to be poised and prepared. 9. RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS: If you know what company you would like to work for, do your homework. Scour their web site, read their annual report, be familiar with related recent news and current events. Your obvious interest will be apparent in an interview. 10. ASSESS YOUR APPEARANCE: While we’d like to think people don’t judge us by our looks, that’s not entirely true. Do you need to drop a few pounds, get a good haircut, buy a new suit, have your nails manicured? Whenever you go out networking, make sure you take pains to look your best. There are jobs out there, but you need to do more than passively sending out your resume. Keep taking positive action, and opportunities will appear.