Astronology - Retaining Talented and High Performing Management Staff

Astronology Volume XII Issue 20 January 10, 2012 Dear Andrew, Astron Solutions provides high-quality, low-cost, innovative human resources consulting services to organizations like yours. Call us for advice, innovative program design, and user-friendly Web/PC based software.   What to Do With a Troublemaker Here comes trouble! Does your organization have that one person with the reputation of being a troublemaker? How are employees supposed to respond to such an individual?  And how can an organization protect itself from inadvertently hiring such individuals?  Astronology investigates the dynamics of the office troublemaker......more    Retaining Talented and High Performing Management Staff With the economy starting to pick up, proactive HR professionals want to make sure their key talent doesn't walk out the door.  But what are the most effective ways to ensure employee retention?  With all the motivational tools out there, it's hard to know which is the "right" one to use.  In this issue of Astronology we examine research results prepared by the Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement.  Not familiar with the Forum?  The Forum's goal is to generate a better understanding of how organizations can and should implement award / motivational programs for success.  Additional, the Forum strives to examine the extent to which these programs can achieve a broad range of organizational objectives......more      Have a Question? If you have a topic you would like addressed in Astronology, or some feedback on a past article, don't hesitate to tell us!  Simply reply to this e-mail.  See your question answered, or comments addressed, in an upcoming issue of Astronology. Looking for a top-notch presenter for your human resource organization's meeting?  Both Jennifer Loftus and Michael Maciekowich present highly-rated sessions on a variety of compensation and employee retention issues.  For more information, send an e-mail to info@astronsolutions.com.   The Fine Print We hold your e-mail address in trust.  Astron Solutions promises never to share or rent your personal information.  We also promise never to send you frivolous e-mails and will allow you to leave our list, at your option, at any time. To remove yourself from this list, please follow your personalized subscriber link at the bottom of your Astronology alert e-mail. Copyright 2012, Astron Solutions, LLC ISSN Number 1549-0467 Quick Links Client List Meet the Astron Team Contact Us   World of HR Blog Bringing you Human Resource news from around the globe...compliments of Astron Solutions. More

 

Going Abroad for Work

With the United States economy still in recovery and the job market still weak, many job seekers (whether they currently have jobs or not), find the prospects underwhelming and unfulfilling--at best. Sometimes there are no prospects to speak of and the search is just one, long frustrating march through resumes, cover letters, and interviews.

But, as the New York Times op-ed from yesterday described, sometimes it just takes thinking outside the box to find what you're looking for in your profession. And by "box", I mean "the US borders". While the United States and much of Europe is hurting for jobs, places like China needs people to come work. The author writes about how he decided to leave his dead-end job for an opportunity to work in a job that he felt would be more fulfilling.

He writes: "We live in grim times, but fortune favors the bold. So if you are reading this from some occupied encampment, a soul-crushing cubicle, your parents’ basement or anywhere else in America really, maybe you should consider paying me a visit."

After visiting New Zealand a few years back, loving the country, and finding out that they needed employees badly, I thought about leaving my unfulfilling, dead-end job for the beauty and intrigue of the land of the kiwis. In the end, though, it was too much of a sacrifice to make to leave my family, friends and life behind to pursue something of this magnitude. I had a student loan and a budding relationship, and although I think I could have convinced my fiancee (then girlfriend) to move with me, I'm not sure either one of us would have been happy with the impulsive decision now.

But the good part is to know there is that option. Life isn't about the borders of your town, state, or even country. Find what will fill your occupational needs and think outside the box to find it. But make sure you know exactly what you're getting into before you do so.

Celebrating a New Year

I want to start by wishing everyone a very Happy New Years and hope you had a very happy holiday season! The new year allows for a lot of new experiences in both your personal and professional life. Yes, your New Year resolution can be professional as well!

Some have taken that to the extreme. One of my friends gave her two weeks notice right after she got back from her new years break. She realized the job she was in was making her unhappy and she wanted to pursue her dreams. I wish her luck!

Changes don't have to be that extreme, though. A change in your cubicle layout or where you sit or the new co-workers you want to get to know can all help to make 2012 feel different. Figure out one thing you want professionally in 2012 and reach for it. I wish you good luck as well!