Go Ahead, Pay More

by Chuck Csizmar - Aug 17, 2010

Everywhere you look these days companies are striving to find ways of doing more with less; jobs are eliminated and the survivors have to work harder, employee reward budgets are trimmed to the bone or frozen, and the concept of pay-for-performance itself is coming under challenge. Across the country you can hear the constant litany of cut, cut, cut.

Employee morale has plunged off a cliff.

However there is one reward strategy you can employ that doesn't involve following the popular drumbeat of negative messages and takeaways. Already other functional departments (i.e., Marketing, Engineering, Advertising) have taken a different tact from that "me too" philosophy.

Don't Use Pay as Your Babysitter

by Chuck Csizmar - Jul 15, 2010

Have you ever used a babysitter? This is when you have someone else assume your responsibilities while you take a break and focus on something else. The babysitter stands in for you, is you during the period of your absence. Someone else does your job.

Typically we think of babysitting when there's actually a dependent child involved, but it's not uncommon for ineffective managers in the workplace to use the same concept when dealing with their employees. These managers seek to use the pay that their employees receive as a surrogate for leadership - for keeping those workers complacent, retained and generally "in line."

Cover Letter and Interview Preparation

by Hal Thayer - Jun 18, 2010

Cover letter should not be just a generic letter but should indicate specific knowledge and interest in the company.

Spend at least 25% more time preparing for your interview than the time spent writing your cover letter.

Prepare your key message. Use SOAR stories (SOAR = Situation - Obstacle - Action - Results) to communicate your accomplishments. Stay focused on your key message.