In the age of rapid technological advances, digital transformation has become a must-have rather than an option for businesses that want to remain competitive. Nevertheless, launching into a digital transformation journey is a complex venture that demands strategic planning, a clear vision, and a comprehension of opportunities and challenges. Recommended steps basis my experience. Defining... Continue Reading →
Chapter 26: Incentive Plans – PLIP
A profit-linked incentive plan is a compensation strategy designed to motivate employees by tying their financial rewards to the profitability of the company or their specific business unit. Here's an explanation of its key components and benefits: Key Components: Profit Targets: The plan is based on the company's specific profit targets. These targets can be... Continue Reading →
Chapter 25: How to read a financial and a profit and loss statement
Reading a company's financial statements can provide valuable insights into its financial health and performance. Here's a general guide on how to read them: Understand the Components: Financial statements typically include three main components: Income Statement: The company's revenues, expenses, and net income over a specific period. Balance Sheet: Provides a snapshot of the company's... Continue Reading →
Chapter 24 : Risks – inclusions and the need for mitigation
In a corporate sense, risk refers to any potential event or circumstance that could have a negative impact on the achievement of an organization's objectives. Risks can arise from various sources, including internal processes, external factors, and uncertainties in the business environment. These risks may affect different aspects of the organization, such as its financial... Continue Reading →
Chapter 23: Behaviours, Values and Etiquette at Work
Recommendation - (use this as a checklist till it becomes a part of your DNA) Corporate work ethics are essential for keeping yourself on track for longevity and success while fostering a positive and productive work environment. Here are some key ones: Integrity: Acting with honesty and integrity is crucial in the corporate world. This... Continue Reading →
Chapter 22 : How to effectively manage performance in a matrix organisation
Managing performance in a matrix organisation, where multiple stakeholders are involved, requires a comprehensive approach that emphasises clarity, collaboration, and accountability. Here are some strategies to effectively manage performance in such a setting: Clear Performance Expectations: Establish performance expectations for all individuals involved, including reporting and functional managers. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives... Continue Reading →
Chapter 20: Improving Profitability
Cutting costs and enhancing profitability are vital to any business's success. One of the highest costs in any P&L is staff costs, which again links back to the conversation around culture and how it impacts retention of employees, thereby enhancing credibility through the high quality of work, leading to higher CSAT and, thus, improved revenue.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 19 – Why is a Great Culture so necessary?
Culture curation is central to designing a Great Place to Work because organizational culture largely determines workplace environment and employee experience, which eventually defines the overall success of a firm. We all know culturally aligned organizations are more successful in terms of financials, customer satisfaction, new product innovations, employee trust and more; therefore, if rethinking... Continue Reading →
Chapter 18: How Effective Are Internal Transfers?
I once ran a successful sales program for a telecom company in the USA. I managed 8 teams of 15 members each, while my peers managed 4 teams of 15. My teams had the best sales and were constantly topping the charts. One day, my director asked me to release 1 of my best sales... Continue Reading →
Chapter 17 – Sensitivity around employee exits
Have you received requests where managers have asked you to shorten an employee's notice period and postpone the exit due to perceived damage to the team's structure created by an unresponsive existing employee? Have you also heard of employees not adhering to notice period norms and requesting an exit before their commitments to the organisation,... Continue Reading →
Chapter 16 – HR Technology and Automation
Human resource technology and automation have totally changed the way organizations manage their human resource activities, which include processing, making them efficient, and developing strategic decisions. From hiring and orientation to performance evaluation and staff engagement, technological solutions have become indispensable tools for HR professionals. One of the major advantages of HR technology is its... Continue Reading →
Chapter 15- Embracing Remote Work
In recent years, remote work has evolved significantly from a niche advantage to a common working arrangement. The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened this change, with companies worldwide having to implement remote work policies quickly. Therefore, companies must establish proper practices and policies that ensure employees' productivity, collaboration, and well-being as remote work becomes more popular.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 14 – Assessment Centres
Assessment centres evaluate people’s skills, competencies, and potential within a simulated, controlled environment, typically for selection, promotion, and development purposes. They employ various exercises, tasks, or simulations to measure job applicants' performance in scenarios mirroring real-life situations, assessing dimensions like interpersonal skills, leadership, problem-solving, and communication. Research indicates their high predictive validity for job success,... Continue Reading →
Chapter 13 – Fair compensation and benchmarking
Fair compensation practices are essential for attracting, retaining, and motivating talented employees as they ensure that employees feel valued and respected for their contributions, leading to increased job satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty to the organization. Compensation benchmarking is a crucial tool for ensuring fair pay within organizations. By comparing salaries and benefits against industry standards... Continue Reading →
Chapter 12-Rewards and Recognition
Rewards and recognition are key to employee motivation and engagement, leading to overall job satisfaction and success. To drive desired behaviour in organizations, rewards offer tangible acknowledgements for individuals or teams exhibiting preferred performance levels and behaviours. They act as mechanisms for reinforcement reinforcing any behaviour that aligns with the organizational goals, values and objectives.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 11—Goal Setting
In the journey towards personal or organizational success, annual goal setting can be a compass that directs efforts toward desired outcomes. The two main perspectives of the goal-setting process are the top-down approach and the bottom-up approach. Employing each one of these approaches has its own strengths and insights; however, combining them delivers powerful results.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10A – The Performance Review Timelines
Performance review frequency differs from company to company. Some complete this quarterly, some bi-annually and some once a year. While some try to do this monthly, it is not a good experience as the quick turnaround can impact the quality of the interaction. It is often felt that a quarterly review with a bi-annual rating... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10 – Performance Reviews
Performance reviews are important for several reasons. They formally assess an employee’s work performance over a specific period. They are also a mechanism for discussions, feedback, setting future expectations, aligning objectives, identifying areas where help is wanted, and providing a guide for supporting professional development. For a review to succeed, it starts with the performance... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Career Development
When recruiting someone into your organization, you must check their readiness level. Any knowledge gaps should be addressed through training, mentorship and support. As an employee continues working with you, connecting his aspirations or desires with outcomes that make him long stay within the organization is important. Indeed, managing an employee’s development and career needs... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – The Start
The time between an offer and the candidate joining the company is delicate, and needs to be handled with utmost care. In today's market conditions where employees often have multiple job offers, and have long notice periods means employees can pull out at the last minute leaving you in a lurch. However, it is not... Continue Reading →