Blog

Times are tough, there’s no doubt about it.  As always, some industries are doing it tougher than others but we know in business it’s all swings and roundabouts.

If your industry is hard hit at present, the management teams will have their nose to the grindstone focusing on where to cut costs and then reviewing how they can cut more from what’s left.

If your industry isn’t in tough times, the management team are probably still doing the same thing to ensure when tough times hit, and they will, you can weather the storm.

But what about the employees?  The ones left behind after the cuts? How are they feeling – unmotivated; shellshocked?  Perhaps they are relatively upbeat due to the fact they still have a job?

I was speaking with someone the other day who was moaning about being bored, as their hours had been cut back.

In a very diplomatic way I mentioned all the people who had lost their jobs completely and that having their hours cut back was a progressive move on the companies behalf.

Now I firmly believe everyone should be responsible and accountable for themselves – at home, at work and in the community.

But often they need assistance to become the best they can be, particularly in hard times.

My question to you is … as people leave the company and are not replaced, are you up-skilling your staff accordingly to cope with the extra work and stress.

Or maybe you’re just letting them fend for themselves, leaving the company open to unhappy staff creating a toxic environment where one may not have existed before?

What I’m trying to say is, in good times and bad, remember to develop your staff appropriately.  Statistics prove that, more than money, employees stay with their companies if they feel they are recognised for their achievements and regularly developed.

We all know it’s more cost-effective to develop than to recruit.  Here’s an opportunity to create more leaders throughout all the levels of your company.

On another note, I’m excited to say I’ll be travelling around Australia early next year for the Tonkin Corporation conducting one-day sessions on “Employing and Engaging Women in Low Diversity Environments”.  If you would like more information click here to view the brochure.