The Status Quo Has Risks. Protect Yourself.

It is not good to get too comfortable with and reliant on the status quo. Things change, risk is ever-present, and Sh!+ Happens. Sometimes we can ride out the changes, and sometimes we are blasted from our safe perches and required to take action and move on to create our own new norm. The challenge is to gauge the timing to our best advantage.

Today, the Eqyptian government led by President Hosni Mubarek is faced with a wide-spread, chaotic and violent rebellion demanding change. We provide an average of 2 billion dollars a year in aid to Egypt (second only to what we give to Israel) – primarily to bolster U.S.-Egyptian military cooperation. Imagine the changes required to U.S. policy if Mubarek’s rule is overthrown and a new ruler is disinclined to be allied with the U.S. The balance of power in the Middle East might change overnight. Mubarek is 83 years old. What was our plan for mitigating the risk of a change in leadership in Egypt that had to happen soon?

This isn’t a political blog, so let’s bring the subject matter closer to home with a different and more familiar scenario:

You’ve worked for the same company for years. Suddenly, the company is sold. Leadership changes. Over time, it becomes evident that values, priorities, philosophies, and other important aspects of your situation have changed as well. Your position is threatened by reorganization and outsourcing. Should you hunker down, take evasive action, conform to the new norms, or look for greener pastures? It’s a tough call to make – and harder to take steps when emotions intrude.

Be prepared for change, because change always happens eventually. You can’t always know or guess what is going to happen, and you need not always be looking over your shoulder, but you SHOULD:

STAY IN GOOD GRACES with your current employer. You will need the reference if you decide to move on. Be ethical. Be productive. Don’t let circumstances paralyze you and adversely affect your performance.  Rather, strive for new ways to make yourself indispensable.

KEEP YOUR RESUME CURRENT. Update it at least once a year, or more often if you gain new responsibilities, experience, or credentials.

CULTIVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK. The majority of new job opportunities are found through networking – not through job listings. Creating a healthy network of people who know you and your work is vital to the health of your career – even when you are not looking for a new opportunity.

LEARN AND GROW. The world keeps turning. You’d better not be standing still. Stay current in your field. Read. Take classes.

EXPLORE THE JOB CLIMATE. Discreetly explore opportunities with other companies, through your trusted network, with the help of a search firm, or through job postings. Go on an interview. (It’s good practice, if nothing else.) The best time to look for a job is while you still have one. If you discover that you are lucky to have your current position, that’s good to know too.

When Hiring Contractors Makes Sense

You are faced with a project and a deadline that cannot be accomplished with the resources you have on staff. It doesn’t make sense to hire full-time team members to meet that need, only to lay them off after the crunch is over. In this type of scenario, as in some others, temporary contractors are the answer. How do you know when you should consider adding contractors to your team to achieve your goals?

• You are managing a project that requires skills you don’t have internally (and you don’t have time to learn them).
• You simply need more hands and heads than you have, due to time constraints.
• There isn’t anything to be gained by your team doing some tasks themselves (their expertise adds no specific value), and your people’s time is better spent on other things.

• It’s cheaper to hire help than to pay your people to do the work. Remember, you pay 20% + for benefits for your full time employees.

• Your project requires a spike in activity that doesn’t continue later into the schedule.

• When you want to “audition” a candidate for a permanent position.

But BEWARE:

• Don’t spend time and money educating contractors to do things that would enrich the skills and experience of your team – unless your team can partake in the education as well. Otherwise, your people will resent the heck out of the situation (and you).

• Avoid giving contractors work that your team considers “choice”, like working with new, cool technology, traveling to exotic work locations, or getting exposure to executive management.

• Don’t give contractors the same benefits/privileges as your employees, unless you want to risk a lawsuit.

• Don’t treat your contractors like slave labor. They are people too and deserve your respect. Besides, you may need them again someday.

• Be sure there is a transfer of knowledge/learning from your contractors to your employees before the end of the contract. Don’t let the knowledge walk out the door, or you may have to buy it back again later.

From Success to Success

The Seattle Seahawks surprised many football pundits over a week ago when they beat the New Orleans Saints in a Wild Card game, winning a berth in the playoffs. They played over their heads, behind their veteran quarterback Matt Hasselback, who had a career-defining kind of day. As a lifelong Bears fan, I was hopeful that after the Seahawks’ efforts and emotional high last week, they would suffer a letdown and play badly. I was not disappointed. Yesterday at Soldier Field in Chicago they took a beating by the Bears who ended their season. Lovie’s Bears played really well, and Seattle didn’t have enough gas left in their tank to rise to the challenge.

Corporate leaders are responsible for managing their teams in a way that encourages a string of successes. It’s important to celebrate and acknowledge wins earned by individuals and groups, but there must be a calculated focus in how this is accomplished…with an eye on cranking up for the next challenge. Played correctly, the momentum from one success is fodder for the next.

First… The team culture should include a group understanding of their purpose and long term goals. Each individual should believe in where the team is headed, and be able to visualize and articulate what success would be.

Second… When important successes are realized, take time to celebrate. Recognize the specific achievements of the team and individuals – loudly and publicly. Thank them for their work. Be sure that the “Powers That Be” are aware of what has been accomplished and its contribution to larger corporate goals.

Third… Stop patting yourselves on the back and dissect your success. Discuss it, analyze it, and criticize each step. Acknowledge where you could have done more/better. Counsel individuals that didn’t carry their weight during the project, and ask for greater effort next time. Make this motivating.

Fourth… Plan how to take the skills and experience of the team and apply them to the next challenge. Define and document what success will look like. Set new goals. Make sure people know what is expected of them. Cheer them on their way to their next celebration.

Don’t forget to provide leadership along the way. The best coaches are able to change the game plan during halftime if the original game plan is going awry. Be flexible and adapt quickly to changes. Recognize your “Player of the Game” and find a way to make the most of their skills while they are hot.

Now get out there and win one for the Gipper.

Respectful Coexistence

The terrible events in Tucson this past weekend have made many of us think about our desire for peaceful coexistence. We wish that our differences could be expressed and debated in a civil manner, without vituperative spewing, threats, and other extreme and violent behavior. Let’s let tolerance and respect for other people and their views drive our behavior and interactions. Overcome polarization with open-mindedness, thought, and an eye on important goals. I’d like to see us apply some values, intellect and effort to minimize conflict over differences and find common ground that allows us to move forward constructively.

Our challenges are broad, in our personal lives, in business, in our communities, and politics. But we have choices we can make in all of those arenas. We control our own behavior and are responsible for our actions. We choose to participate in our communities and shape them into places we can be proud to live. We elect our politicians, and are entitled hold them accountable to represent us conscientiously.

The business world is reflective of many of the issues exhibited in our world today. In a well-run corporation, ethical leadership, effective management, clear goals, policies and procedures, the application of laws, and human resources programs help govern the chaos. Individuals mostly “behave”, at least in part because they don’t want to harm their careers, lose a paycheck, or be humiliated in front of their peers.

Each of us can make a difference at some level. Be caring in your personal relationships, respectful and constructive in your work environment, cooperative with community efforts, and active to make your voice heard in politics. Let’s all lead by example, and make clear what we expect from our fellow civilians and our governments. We’re smart enough and good enough to make some changes.

Differentiate Yourself to Win

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2011. The U.S. economy continues a slow rebound, but the general consensus is that the recovery won’t be truly complete until the unemployment rate is reduced to a healthier (lower) level. For many companies, a new calendar year brings shiny new budgets and staffing plans. People return from their winter holidays ready to tackle a whole new set of challenges…and they may need you!

Job hunting today is a very competitive activity. So many qualified people are looking for good positions. Tension is high for those who have been unemployed for any length of time. It’s a “buyer’s market” right now, and employers can be choosy to make sure they hire the right people.

A friend of mine is currently competing with three other finalists being considered for an attractive position. They have been asked to prepare a presentation for the management team of the hiring company. Although the situation is a little nerve-wracking, she has been given a great opportunity to differentiate herself from the other candidates.

If you are up against multiple candidates, what might you do to differentiate yourself?

• Research, research, research the hiring company. Scour their website, the annual reports (for a publicly-traded company), blogs, reviews, and product descriptions. If your network contains anyone already employed by the company, take them to lunch and pick their brain. Use the information you gather to insert knowledgeable commentary during your interview(s), and to ask informed and insightful questions.

• If asked to do a presentation, don’t just do a boring PowerPoint presentation with a bunch of bullets that you read! Try something different, such as all graphics as a mere backdrop for you (which is where you want them to focus their attention anyway). Or introduce yourself using another presentation product, like Animoto (animoto.com), where you can create a free 30-second presentation with original music and photos you choose. It’s easy, and different.

• Think about ways to showcase your unique personality. You want to draw people to you so they can imagine how pleasant it would be to have you around. Tell an engaging story, spice up your interview suit with a colorful tie or scarf. Don’t forget to smile! Appearing too serious, or even grim, can be a real turn-off.

• Be sure to tell your prospective employers how excited you are about the opportunity, that you appreciate their time, and that you really want the job. They have the gift of employment to give, and expect a little appreciation and enthusiasm.

• Follow up any face-to-face interaction with a “Thank You” communication. Hand-written notes are still always appropriate, and I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with a creative digital thank you sent via email.

Good luck, and keep your chin up! There’s a good job out there for you.