Vodafone D2, the largest operating company within the Vodafone Group, identified an emerging organizational issue that - if left unattended- could ultimately have affected its capacity for growth. The problem is common in the rest of the mobile industry, but was made all the more pressing for Vodafone D2 because...
Most HR organizations develop progressive discipline, job simplification and second chance opportunity programs for those employees that consistently fail, but offer little in the way of programs that support or improve the productivity of top performers. The problem is so widespread that it is next to impossible to find an...
One of the great things about a home based business is that a person can keep his or her day job while the person builds his or business as finances permit. The problem is that the person's day job must support the person and his or her new business until...
Effective Resource Management not only impacts profitability by optimizing utilization and minimizing bench time, but when done well, can generate goodwill and loyalty that translate to competitive advantages in recruiting and retaining the best talent. The problem is that with all of the inefficiencies created by the systems we have...
M.B.A. programs in America seem to be in excellent shape -- demand is high, with more than 130,000 people shelling out tens of thousands of dollars each to get an MBA (tuition alone at Harvard Business School is $41,900 for the 2007-2008 academic year). Many graduates of the best schools...
Most of us complain that there is just not enough time. Time hasn't changed though; there is still 24 hours in a day. The problem is that most of us just don't know how to organize or manage our time to our advantage. Remember that continual motion does not mean...
Effective troubleshooting is an important aspect to any job, but it is especially important in Information technology IT where problems are not always clear, and the impact of a "Fix" could have unforeseen ramifications. Typically it is a skill that is developed and honed over time. The goal of this...
When faced with a difficult or complex problem, it's easy to get caught up in a "fix it" frame of mind. This deficit-focused approach places problems at the center of attention, and such negative spotlighting can actually have a limiting effect on the potential for creative resolution. There is another...
What return does a company get on the investment it makes in its workforce, or 'Human capital'? Is it exceptional, marginal, or negative? Unfortunately, most companies seldom ask that question, or know how to answer it, and so it is frequently ignored. It is also why human capital is the...
It is essential that applications and infrastructures be considered together as a common "application infrastructure" that supports strategic business objectives. All too often application and network infrastructure groups blame each other for performance problems - application administrators identifying the network as the problem, and network administrators identifying the application as...
Although much is written about the relationship between financial reporting controls and SOX, the reality of accounting is that IT systems are an integral part of SOX 404 and 409 compliance. On the surface, IT controls must be in place to ensure the validity of information and in order to...
Keeping in touch with their field workforces is a major concern for utility companies and other network businesses. The problem is a cause of low productivity, and the lack of timely and relevant asset data from the field hampers maintenance planning. Mobile Workforce Management MWF offers a solution to these...
This paper focuses on Energy Star, which is the largest, most successful, voluntary energy efficiency programmed in the world. In order to remain effective, it must address both technical and administrative problems. Technical problems include reconciling programmers dealing with components and whole buildings; dealing with cross-fuel performance; and definitions and...
A study by human resources information provider CCH Inc. indicates employees aren't as ill as they let on. Only one-third of the time they call in sick are they ailing. Family issues and personal needs take up a lot of sick days. Taking an elderly parent to the doctor or...
Human resource professionals have a lot to be frustrated about. They have to fight the perception that HR should be at the disposal of all employees, and juggle roles as diverse as coach and counselor. The problem is that HR cannot afford to lose its cool, particularly in the heat...
"Although most companies that handle hazardous materials have implemented process safety management PSM systems, they are still having accidents. These same companies have good audit programs that verify compliance and implementation of good management systems, but hardly any look at the quality of the audited programs. A company can have...
From the executive summary: ‘Research reveals that while pay and benefits matter, an organization count on money to retain talented people who have employment options. Key motivators include challenging and stimulating work, a chance to learn and grow, a good boss, and great people to work with. Managers can influence...
From the executive summary: ‘Researches suggest that what employers offer is often the inverse of what employees want. The reason behind the aforesaid scenario is that employers look at this as a turnover problem. Turnover is viewed as a facts and figures number problem. Hence, the management tries to fix...
Ten percent of employees consume eighty percent of the health-care costs at most companies. They are the ones at the highest risk for common medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and are the least likely to change unhealthy behaviors. In order for a wellness program to...
It is important to have an employee acknowledge unsatisfactory performance and to help define both the cause and the solution to the problem. Use this template to get employee acknowledgement, which will let them "Own" their problems and have a more active role in correcting them.
