You're Fired... Please Pass the Salt

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

How to Fire a Friend or Family Member

As a leader, one of the most difficult things to do is to release someone from employment. Whether it’s a for cause action or a no-hard-feelings-reduction-in-force, it can create sleepless nights and significant stress for all involved.

Bringing Home a Puppy

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

Choosing and Training the Right Employee for Your Business

You’ve finally done it. The constant begging, cajoling, and promise-making of your six year old has finally run its course. You’ve agreed to get a dog. While not fully appreciated by the child, you are painfully aware of the long-term commitment you’re about to make. Training, vet bills, frequent walks, lawn maintenance, kenneling costs, dog food, treats, toys, carpet cleaning…

Don’t misunderstand, despite the commitment, owning a canine is rewarding if you choose the right one for your specific home. Ironically, the same can be said of finding and acquiring new employees. The challenge is how to determine the balance between a candidate’s existing skills and his/her fit for your business culture. Which is more important: past experience and training, or the nature, disposition, and potential of a candidate to thrive in your environment?

Surviving the Storm

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

Staying Afloat During Troubling Times

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was common for a ship, in the midst of a severe storm, to throw all non-essential cargo and supplies overboard to in an attempt to stay afloat. Even very important cargo was abandoned in the face of disaster. Suddenly, priorities became very clear. Staying alive was more immediately important than treasure, canons, food, and even drinking water.

The Art and Science of Workforce Reduction - Part 1

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

Stopping the Labor Cost Roller Coaster

Workforce reduction is a painful reality for many in today’s tough business climate. Unexpected and underestimated economic downturns can cause even the best managed firm to find itself with a cost structure too large to support the realities of its revenue picture. All too often, a swollen workforce is a major contributing factor to cost structure woes. Eventually, the path becomes clear. Reduce or die.

The Art and Science of Workforce Reduction - Part 2

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

Stopping the Labor Cost Roller Coaster

“Downsizing”, “Rightsizing”, “Smartsizing”… Regardless of the latest create-a-word that attempts to make the unpalatable more appetizing, one thing is certain: Workforce reductions are painful, consuming, expensive, and complicated. It’s my hope that through new thinking we can also learn to call them a thing of the past.

Less Talk... More Action

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Written by Jeffrey De Wolf, Managing Principal

Is it Okay to Say "Please Shut Up" in a Meeting?

The other day I was being interviewed by a young man who asked me to describe which communication skill is lacking most in business today. I knew immediately what I wanted to tell him: Succinctness.

Ironically, he asked me to expand upon that...