Performance review = A continuous feedback and development process

In the last three years that I’ve managed performance evaluations of support engineers for an IT consulting firm, I’ve been wary of assuming a judgmental stance – either directly or through the feedback process I’ve helped manage. Performance reviews are known to be tedious exercises for all concerned so my objectives for them have been … Continue reading Performance review = A continuous feedback and development process →

Typewriter—now only an artefact

This announcement from Mashable that Godrej has formally stopped its manufacturing of typewriters didn’t upset me at all. I’m afraid I never did care for typewriters…whether manual, electric or electronic… I began using a typewriter in the year 1983 while acceding to self-induced pressure to acquire job skills. The first I got to use formally … Continue reading Typewriter—now only an artefact →

New Hire Orientation

This aspect of an organisation’s processes is close to my heart as a well-executed new hire orientation helps build a special bond between the two sides. My own first experience of an orientation program goes back some 25 years. The organisation was big and used to seeing people rolling in and out. Its program conducted … Continue reading New Hire Orientation →

Flex the Workplace

About two months ago, I chanced upon Women’s Web and quite liked the easy read its blog and articles offered for an Indian woman multitasking in her numerous incarnations. Then, at some point, I heard about its contest on Twitter that invited ideas on what organisations should do to make their workplaces more flexible. I’m … Continue reading Flex the Workplace →

Importance of Work Culture

Does your work culture promote a respectful dialogue in situations of strife or is it common for you to see colleagues letting their tempers have the better of them in disagreements? How do you handle your interaction with a young colleague who’s joined your small team straight from his management school so is accustomed to … Continue reading Importance of Work Culture →

Resume Writing or Stop it?

This month an assignment meant appraising profiles for an IT support engineer’s role, so much time was spent scanning resumes, talking to applicants, and, gratefully, finalizing hiring of a candidate. The experience has made me appreciate challenges recruiters must face in preparing interview shortlists. Why only interview shortlists? Well, if this first step can be … Continue reading Resume Writing or Stop it? →

Work-life balance…

…is an aspect of professional life where I thought I’d long held a consistent opinion – that it was important for individuals to experience their weekends as just that -- end of a work-week. So they could recharge their energy levels for the week ahead. I hadn’t ever thought, however, that the end of a … Continue reading Work-life balance… →

How to manage employee exit interviews?

Now that the important ‘whys’ of instituting a planned exit process are covered (in the previous post), I’d like to share my views on the process itself: Short internal (online) process: An online questionnaire on the company intranet or via email should capture feedback on the overall experience, and this segment of the exit process … Continue reading How to manage employee exit interviews? →

Are you managing your employee exits?

One of my assignments sees me having conversations with employees exiting a company. The discussions happen mostly over the phone, and I’ve to admit that barring a couple of cases, till now I’ve enjoyed the experience of being a confidant to unknown and unseen professionals. I’ve also been amazed to see the difference in the … Continue reading Are you managing your employee exits? →