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    Monthly E-Tip                                                                                                                    July 2009
This Month
Tough Questions for Tough Times
Upcoming Events
Recommended Reading
Readers Respond
Where's Marnie?
Quick Links
 
 

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Greetings!
 
mailing list 2009 Last month I met with a group of Human Resource professionals who understood the reality of today's workplace. There's a lot of uncertainty out there, no matter what kind of organization you work in. Most of us are wondering what the future holds and some are even asking challenging questions about it. Being able to respond to uncertainty with confidence and dignity is the mark of a strong leader. Are you prepared to answer the tough questions? This month's e-tip allows you to consider your own preparedness. As usual, I'd love to hear what you think.
Tough Questions for Tough Times  
                                                                                                        
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We are facing workplace challenges many of us have never faced before. If your organization is facing layoffs, reorganizations, or other upheavals, you are probably spending your days looking at budgets and planning for a new reality. You are working hard to make the best decisions to get through this period in a stronger, more nimble position.

While you are focusing on the future, others in your organization may be struggling with the present. How you respond to questions about organizational changes, regardless of the nature of the change, will impact how you are perceived now and in the future. While employees may be asking questions like, "will I have a job?" "who are the decision makers?" and "what options do I have?" you should be asking yourself and your organization's leaders questions like:

� How will we communicate the message of change?

� Where can employees get answers to their questions about organizational changes?

� How will we say goodbye if people will be leaving our organization?

� How will we greet new employees who may be joining us due to restructuring?

� How can we convey compassion and respect for employees who may be facing a loss?

� What resources will be made available to employees who may be laid off?

� How can we refocus the workforce on critical activities like maintaining customer loyalty and
  increasing productivity?

� How can we show appreciation to employees who go the extra mile during tough times?

Regardless of your organization or industry, you are probably facing challenges that you've not faced before. Have you covered all of your bases and considered the impact changes will have on the people you depend upon most?
Upcoming Events
 

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Stephanie Eubanks Business Writing Workshop
July 29, 2009
Live over web and phone

Write for Success: Live, online business writing class

Join our colleague, Stephanie Eubanks for a cost-effective training opportunity.
Perfect for busy employees and entrepreneurs who write e-mail, letters, and memos.
Receive 50% off for the second person attending.
Go to: http://www.eubanksbusinesswriting.com/online-business-writing-classes.htm to sign up!

BLAT! Put your bottom line at the top!
You'll get faster, more accurate, and nicer response if your bottom line's at the top. If your bottom line's not at the top, your readers are very likely to miss it. Or they'll misinterpret it. Or they'll ignore the entire message.

Write for Success gives you the tools to BLAT easily and quickly. It will change your relationship with your readers forever.

For more information visit: Eubanks Business Writing
 


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Arizona SHRM Conference

2009 Annual Arizona SHRM State Conference
September 1st - 4th, 2009
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, AZ
 
Don't miss AZ SHRM's 2009 Annual State Conference! Focusing on HR leading in difficult economic times, we will have two and a half days of excellent general session and breakout session speakers, wonderful networking opportunities to talk with your peers in the HR profession, and a larger-than-ever exhibit hall offering opportunities specific to the HR profession. And, come see Marnie's session on September 4th: "Painless Performance Conversations: Helping Leaders through the Hard Talks."
 
 
 
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IPMA-HR Conference
2009 IPMA-HR International Training Conference & Exposition
September 13-16, 2009
Nashville, Tennessee

The 2009 IPMA-HR International Training Conference & Exposition and the 2009 IPAC (formerly IPMAAC) Annual Conference will be held jointly in Nashville, Tennessee, September 13-16, 2009. The joint conference will provide enhanced networking and professional development opportunities.

This year's conference features hands-on pre-conference workshops and three full days of sessions that offer real world insights, techniques, and methodologies pivotal to the increasing demands on the HR professional and the selection professional. You'll have more than 35 sessions to choose from that will cover a wide range of topics.

For more information visit:


Book CoverRecommended Reading
 
The Practice of Adaptive Leadership
by Ronald Heifetz, Alexander Grashow & Marty Linsky

A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend an executive education program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Under the tutelage of Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, I was exposed to the concept of adaptive leadership-a groundbreaking approach to solving organizational problems that have no technical answers. Never before have we faced more adaptive challenges in our world. Luckily, these great minds have just released a field guide for learning to think more clearly and execute more effectively in a constantly changing environment.

The book is grounded in the concepts of adaptive leadership but goes beyond the theory to provide practical examples, diagrams, techniques, and activities to help you assess and address the toughest challenges ahead. Taking a view from the balcony and naming the elephant in the room are just two of the concepts that will rock your world as a leader.

This book comes out at just at the right time. Read it now.
Readers Respond
 
Our June 2009 e-tips received a greater positive response than any previous edition of this newsletter. Thanks to everyone who sent comments related to the article "Are you a Feedbacker or a Judger?" Here are a few of the warm comments we received:

I enjoy your reports and find them helpful. Your book has been a great help as well. I have been practicing moving to feedback and away from judgments. The results are the feedback is received with less defensiveness and that make the process less emotional as well for me. Thanks again for your help.
- C. Michael Johnson, CFP� President & Founder, Wealth Planning Corporation, Cincinnati, OH

 
What incredible timing! How did you know? I have to give an employee some feedback today, so thank you for this reminder. I want to think I give feedback rather than judgment, but I am pretty sure it is a mixed bag. So, thanks again and I will make my notes for my meeting according to your newsletter.
-Lauri Yarwasky, Therapeutic Supervisor, City of San Jose, CA

Marnie Green Head ShotWhere's Marnie?
 
My summer tour heats up in July with travel from coast to coast. Check out my schedule and follow me on Twitter. It's going to be an adventure!


Sincerely,

Marnie Green
Management Education Group, Inc.
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