September 26, 2008

I wrote a post/article this week over at Careerealism.com on the difference between those who connect well in the workplace, and those who do not.

Check it out here to determine which one you are.

More importantly, if you like the post, be sure to subscribe to the blog to get our new posts by e-mail!

JT

September 3, 2008

Check out this post on how our egos impact our success in the workplace. A new book offers interesting perspective on egos as both friends and foes to our career advancement…a great read for employees and management teams!

Click here to read it on my new blog www.Careerealism.com.

August 5, 2007

G. L. Hoffman, author of the widely-successful blog, What Would Dad Say, and one of the early executive team members of JobDig, where job seekers learn to ‘dig their job,’ recently sent me several photographs of a typical summer morning at his company. The photos were of his employees competing in crazy contests at 9am in the morning. A pregnant woman rowing a boat across the floor had just won for her team. It was all part of a Olympic-themed sales contest he and his two fellow company leaders, Paul Moquist, the VP of Sales, and Toby Dayton, the President/CEO, created as a way to have fun and inspire their team to reach their goals. For many managers, the mere idea of holding weekly events during prime work hours seems ridiculous. Not to mention, the fact that they were acting like kids. So when I asked G.L. why they actually encouraged this activity when most others would shun it, he simply said - “I only like to work at places that are fun - and so do the people we hire.” GL, Paul and Toby are succeeding where many other companies are failing. With 90% of their team under the age of 30, these three executives have a keen understanding of how important building a ‘corporate culture club’ is to talent development and retention, and he’s got the stats to prove it. Turnover is low, productivity is high, and JobDig.com is place where young professionals feel they can really learn and grow. While further questioning of G.L. proved the executive team understands the strengths (tech savvy, multi-taskers) AND weaknesses (unfamiliar with business protocol and how to communicate in a professional manner) of Gen Y professionals, he gives one simple answer as to why (unlike many other frustrated managers of young talent) they are able to get this generation to take criticism, work hard, be resourceful and push to exceed expectations: “They trust us.”

If you are an HR executive or hiring manager, then you know all about the challenges of keeping employees happy these days. You can’t escape the extensive discussions around the impending talent (not labor) shortage. Meanwhile, employees, especially the younger ones, are job jumping more than ever. And let’s not forget that things like technology and generational differences are making employees feel even more disgruntled. (more…)

August 1, 2007

By J.T. O’Donnell

The word ‘entitlement’ is being used so much to describe Gen Y workers these days, to me, it’s now known as the ugly ‘E’ word. While not a part of that generation, I’m still tired of seeing Gen Ys get a bad rap for their professional attitudes. As the old saying goes, “Those who throw stones, shouldn’t live in glass houses.” Entitlement in the workplace isn’t a generational issue – it’s a societal issue, and it’s affecting every generation in the American workforce today. (more…)

July 29, 2007

Much has been written about Generation Y and their controversial entry in to the workforce. Viewed by many as spoiled, arrogant and ill-prepared, the newest generation to hit the job market is fighting back, vowing to change the way our society views work, and leveraging their tech savvy skills to do it. Sites like www.EmployeeEvolution.com are designed to voice Gen Y’s opinions about what they feel are the outdated approaches of corporate America. Yes, Gen Y appears determined to get management’s attention. However, they aren’t the only ones causing a ruckus. (more…)