Archive for December, 2005

Dec 31st 2005 Assessments: Connecting Employees With the Performance Improvement Process

Source: Workforce Performance Solutions / William H. Berman, Ph.D., John C. Scott, Ph.D. & David Finch, Ph.D
Read this article: http://www.wpsmag.com/con…iewer.asp?a=223&print=yes

While most corporations use some form of structured performance appraisal system, use of structured self-assessments of performance is much less common. Some systems include an objective self-evaluation as a part of the process. Others capture the data, but do not provide explicit self-other comparisons. Still others offer employees the opportunity to reply in a letter or through open-ended comments. Many do not include self-evaluations at all. Companies that eschew self-assessments have described issues of unreliability, lack of credibility and lack of understanding of how to handle discrepancies as reasons to avoid self-evaluations.

Well-constructed and properly implemented self-assessments offer substantial benefits to companies, as well as to employees. Self-assessments offer the employee the opportunity for increased involvement, greater acceptance of the process and increased alignment between supervisor and employee expectations. They offer companies increased engagement for stakeholders, improved company-employee communication and more efficient collaboration. Design and implementation of self-assessments, however, require careful identification of key performance dimensions, modifications of rating anchors or consideration of inherent self-other rating discrepancies, and thoughtful integration of the self-assessment into the overall evaluation and improvement process.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Human Resources and Management

Dec 30th 2005 Top ten tips for filling a vacancy

Source: TheWorkingManager.com / Helen Kelly
Read this article: http://www.theworkingmana…/detail.asp?ArticleNo=910

Your aim is to deflect non-performers who look good on paper and talk a good game. Here are some tips for attracting viable candidates.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Human Resources

Dec 29th 2005 Waiting Games People Play

Source: Graziadio Business Report / Dave McMahon, Ph.D.
Read this article: http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/013/delay.html

Distraction, information, and compensation are common strategies that may mollify waiting customers.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Customer-Related and Operations

Dec 28th 2005 Building a Brand Marriage That Lasts

Source: Gallup Management Journal / William J. McEwen
Read this article: http://gmj.gallup.com/content/default.asp?ci=17698

Millions of consumer interviews over six decades have revealed what consumers really think about brands. Results from that Gallup research will surprise some company managers. This excerpt from the upcoming book Married to the Brand uncovers key findings.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Marketing / Sales

Dec 27th 2005 Enterprising Nonprofits: Revenue Generation in the Nonprofit Sector

Source: Yale School of Management / Cynthia W. Massarsky and Samantha L. Beinhacker
Read this article: http://ventures.yale.edu/factsfigures.asp

Nonprofit managers who develop social purpose ventures to generate revenues to support a social mission have limited opportunities to share their experiences with others in the field or to learn from the experiences of others. Many nonprofit managers also have modest business backgrounds. Yet, despite these challenges, the movement toward income generation by nonprofits continues to grow. Some of these ventures succeed, yet many more fail to meet either their social or financial goals. Clearly, the field lacks well-defined criteria, standards, and strategies for achieving success in this area. The potential payoff from the diffusion of learning appears to be substantial. This paper offers a first step in the process.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Industry Specific and Nonprofit

Dec 27th 2005 A clear explanation of relational databases and the rules that govern them

Source: TechRepublic / Arthur Fuller and Peter Brawley
Read this article: http://techrepublic.com.c…ads/home/mysqled1ch01.pdf

Deploying a relational database on almost any scale requires a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and rules that govern their behavior. This excerpt from Get It Done With MySQL 5 explains the fundamental concepts underlying relational databases, including sets, tables, Codd’s 12 Rules, normalization, and the limits of the relational model. No matter which database application software you choose, understanding these concepts is essential before deploying any relational database.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / IT / Internet / E-Business and Technology

Dec 26th 2005 Bet This! A Gambler’s Guide to Leadership

Source: ChangeThis / Eileen Shapiro
Read this article: http://www.changethis.com/16.betthis

ileen Shapiro thinks that betting is a part of everyday life. Check out her four tests (and one proxy) for action-based leadership.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Leadership

Dec 25th 2005 Activity-Based Power App

Source: Business Finance / Tad Leahy
Read this article: http://www.businessfinanc…ml?articleID=6167&Print=Y

Using ABM to set future costs can be the most valuable application of your data. The process doesn’t have to be complex and time-consuming. Some basic forecasting guidelines can increase profitability — without alienating customers.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Finance and Management

Dec 24th 2005 Trusting Transactions

Source: Boston Consulting Group (BCG) / Philip Evans, Bob Wolf
Read this article: http://www.bcg.com/public…ctions_Persp416_Mar05.pdf

This article argues that a big new managerial challenge is to lower transaction costs and that the way to do this is to make trust scalable. It’s not an argument you hear every day. In fact, it may surprise people. Most of us think that IT has lowered transaction costs. But the authors present evidence that our obsession with lowering production costs has led to an increase in transaction costs and that these costs are putting a “fundamental brake on innovation, both within companies and among them.”

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Economics and Miscellaneous

Dec 23rd 2005 Taming the Dragon—Mastering China’s Growth Dynamics

Source: Accenture
Read this article: http://www.accenture.com/…pca/pca_taming_dragon.pdf

The 21st century has been described as “China’s century” and it is not hard to understand why. Since Deng Xiaoping initiated a program of path-breaking economic reform in 1978, China has experienced the most rapid modernization of any society in recent times. Companies are queuing up to invest in China, lured by the prospect of competitive labor costs and vast market potential. No fewer than 400 of the Fortune 500 companies have already invested in China. But making profits in China is still a harder task than many expect. Making money in China requires a strategy that is specifically tailored to the growth dynamics of the Chinese market and the risks and constraints stemming from its unique business culture and operating environment.

No Comments » Posted by Administrator / Finance and International - Asia