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Hang on Loosely … Or You’re Gonna Lose Control

Oswald, CEO of BLR, offered his thoughts on “loose” control in a recent edition of The Oswald Letter. Look “manager” up in the dictionary, Oswald says, and you’ll find it described this way: “a person who has control or direction of an institution, business, etc., or of a part, division, or phase of it.” There […]

Conducting a Good-Faith Workplace Investigation

Employers all know the importance of investigating allegations of misconduct, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace. But even so, that practice sometimes falls by the wayside when times get busy. Here’s a look at a recent Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision on workplace investigations. Workplace Investigations: The HR Manager’s Step-by-Step Guide Making mischief […]

Sex Discrimination Guidelines: ‘Outdated and Inaccurate’

Existing sex discrimination guidelines (found at 41 C.F.R. part 60-20) have not been significantly updated since 1970. Since employer policies and practices—and the workplace itself—have changed dramatically since then, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has started action to update its guidelines.

How the Wizard of Oz Can Help Us Be Better Managers

Here’s what Oswald said: Recently, an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz was released. If you’re like me, you grew up watching the 1939 classic. The new film got me thinking about those wonderful characters created by L. Frank Baum. There’s the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and, of course, Dorothy. Each one […]

What the Modern-Day Barbie Movie Can Teach Recruiters

With the release of the first live-action Barbie film, Barbie is finally getting the attention she deserves. The summer box-office hit brings Barbie into the real world, where she presents us with a fresh take on diversity and empowerment for the recruiting sector. Mattel was hesitant about the film at first. The brand has worked […]

Understanding BATNA

Although many employees think only lawyers and salespeople are involved in negotiations, the reality is that these types of negotiations take place in the office all the time between departments, with customers and business partners, and between bosses and subordinates.

A Good Mentor Can Keep Your Potential Jedis from Turning to the Dark Side

As if that title didn’t give it away, I’m kind of a sci-fi nerd. I don’t speak Klingon, and I’ve never watched a single episode of Dr. Who, but my current reading list includes a revisit of Foundation, I have a Starship Enterprise pizza cutter, and I lose more time than I like to admit […]

You Can’t Change Who You Are by Flipping a Switch

You are who you are. I’m in my 50th year. I am who I am. If I were to take a personality test, it would tell me largely the same thing it would have told me 10 or even 20 years ago. Sure, things happen in our lives that can cause our personalities to change […]

3 Levels of Sales Jobs—3 Levels of Incentives

Cichelli, senior vice president at the Alexander Group, offered his tips at WorldatWork’s Total Rewards 2013 Conference and Exhibition. Here’s how he describes the three types of sales jobs: Job Level→ Factor↓ Territory Rep Account Manager Key Account Manager Customers Many/Existing and Potential Several (20–30)/ Existing Few (3–4) /Existing Orders Many/Small Average/Average Few/Large Sales Cycle […]

The DOL’s New Overtime Rule and Unintended Consequences

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a new rule that requires anyone who makes less than $47,476 annually to receive overtime pay. When a colleague suggested I consider this topic for my blog, I was reluctant. I’m not an expert on wage and hour issues. We have many people much more qualified than […]