Right Size, Right Fit
November 21, 2008
If people are what make business work, why are they getting laid off while companies fail to cut back on other, presumably less important things?
As CEO, should you keep the corporate jet, continue to fly first class or bite the bullet and go coach?
What is the sound of one stock dropping?
Ah, modern day koans. There is no one right answer.
But apparently there is a “right size” for organizations, determined more, it seems, by the state of the economy than their – and their customers’ – needs.
I would venture that “right size” is not a very useful concept until you marry it to “right fit”.
One team of “right fit” people can do the work of an army of those who would rather be someplace else, even though they have the skills, abilities and resumes that get them hired.
What does a right fit team look like?
Come visit us.
Entry Filed under: Assessment, Economics, HR, Talent Management, Teams. Tags: business, koan, laid off. CEO, right fit, right size, team.
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1.
Marcia | November 21, 2008 at 9:21 pm
A wise HR teacher with many years in the Silicon Valley said that companies with series of layoffs in a decent economy are not well managed, and M&As rarely really work.
I’ve thought about that over my own 20 years in the Silicon Valley, through many ups and downs. I’ve seen, at many but not all companies, the ratio of executive comp and perques skyrocket whilst laying off individuals. I’ve seen poor management practices, and instead of honest performance appraisals and feedback, managers will use layoffs to rid themselves of problem employees.
There are some great managers out there with good products, and we should not forget that. Problem is: this economy is going to kill a lot of these businesses.
2.
drjanice | November 21, 2008 at 9:36 pm
So true, Marcia, and there won’t be a government bailout for those businesses and their employees that suffer due to the self-serving actions of others. It’s an old-fashioned value but I think we’ll all need some fiscal restraint to get through. And, especially my fellow CEOs, we’ll need more than a modicum of humility.
3.
Ed Callahan | November 22, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I had to look up the meaning of koan. Thanks for improving my vocabulary Janice.
4.
Gireesh Sharma | December 15, 2008 at 4:29 am
A very though provoking post Dr. Janice.
By the way your website https://www.rightfittoolkit.com looks great.