The Challenges of HR Management in a Global Workplace

Mr. Ron, I want you to send me to some training.”

Sure, I said. Tell me about what you do and what are some of your duties in your department? After listening to him or a while, I finally asked: what type training do you think you need?

His reply floored me — “I do not know. Just send me to training.”

The exasperated look on my face told the story. Another of my colleagues was in my office and he said that is a normal reaction in this country. People look to be directed; they are not into self-direction.

What do you need and want

The culture here in Saudi Arabia (where I work) is an everyday learning experience. Things that we take for granted in the U.S. are not as straightforward here. My friend told me that as children, they are taught that parents know best and the parents will make the correct decision.

One Decision That Clearly Shows Just What Leadership Looks Like

It is “inconsistent with our purpose.”

And with that, the ball dropped. CVS President and CEO Larry J. Merlo used that phrase to make an announcement that rocked the health care and business community.

He said:

The significant action we’re taking today by removing tobacco products from our retail shelves further distinguishes us in how we are serving our patients, clients and health-care providers and better positions us for continued growth in the evolving health care marketplace.”

What does leadership look like?

The Seahawks Showed It Pays to Hire People With a Chip on Their Shoulder

“It gives you more of a college environment, because guys are having fun. It is pretty cool. But I did sense that guys were hungry. I would say that the majority of guys are hungry.”

The gentleman that made this statement, Cliff Avril, is a veteran NFL defensive end who had just joined the Seattle Seahawks, and he could tell he was in a different place. He’d just spent five seasons with the underachieving, overhyped Detroit Lions, a team filled with first-round picks [his words].

Seattle is a team made up of retreads and rejects who are motivated to prove everyone wrong. Aside from quarterback Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and running back Marshawn Lynch, there’s a good chance you hadn’t heard of most of the other Seahawks before last week’s Super Bowl game.

What drives you?

Reporting Analytics and Why You Must Help Interpret It For Your Audience

“Every month, I send an analytics report to senior management. What is disheartening is that not once have they asked me what the numbers mean. They never show any interest.”

This past week I gave a presentation on workforce planning and analytics in Dubai at the Workforce Planning & Analytics Conference.

The quote was from one of the participants who was expressing her frustration on her deliverables. She was basically asking why is nobody was taking her work and role seriously.

I turned the question around and said, “Did you ask them that question?” The answer was basically NO.

A thing of beauty with no meaning

As she was talking, I was reminded of a friend of mine who would put all of his reports into Excel. He literally would spend hours crafting a spreadsheet –color coded, hidden columns, different fonts and background.