Leadership - Outsourcing Layoffs is a Cop-out!

I was told the other day that large corporations have begun to use outside firms (full of behavior scientist) to decide who specifically will get laid off in a downsizing initiative. This absolutely floored me. Leaders (supervisors, managers, directors, vice presidents) get selected and paid for ONE primary purpose. That is - to lead PEOPLE.

Apparently, the definition of what it exactly means to "lead people" is being further lost in corporate America. Mid-sized business owners be aware. Don't let this happen to your company.

As a refresher, let me share what I believe it means to "lead people".

A leader (1) inspires, and motivates their people to achieve a goal or objective they (2) have communicated. They (3) set expectations and (4) insure that proper resources are there to get the job done. They (5) influence hiring decisions based on written qualifications and performance standards. They (6) use the strength of their position as well as their influencing skills to break down barriers to success. Most importantly, they (7) evaluate their people against job standards and previously set expectations and in doing so (8) reward strong performances and coach when needed. When coaching fails, leaders (9) take action by firing the individual from that position.

To suggest it is better for a company to employ an outside firm for steps 7, 8, and 9 to me is unconscionable. It undermines the very people who are suppose to be looked up to to lead and guide the growth of a company by constantly making these tough decisions. It is also a cop-out - an expensive way of deflecting responsibility to some outside third party. I wonder if corporations who employ these outside firms considered reducing the salary and compensation of the leadership - given that they have just relieved them of one third (3 of 9) of their responsibilities?

Probably not.

More information can be found at my
website: AllegroConsultant.com

Have a great day.

About the author: Mike Gomez is the President of Allegro Consulting, an Atlanta-based business growth specialty firm. Allegro provides operating advice to businesses and organizations on a wide range of management issues that effect growth, such as strategic and organizational planning, marketing, sales and business process improvement. www.AllegroConsultant.com

How to Grow Your Business in a Challenging Economy

I attended a seminar with this title - curious as to what the speaker would say here that is any different than how one advises a business owner on growing a business in a "normal" economy (if there is such a thing). Well, as it turned out the seminar was more of a sales pitch for a couple of company's services, and as such, a complete waste of my time. I should have known this - by the title alone.

The fact of the matter is the economy has no bearing whatsoever on the processes used to consistently grow a company. It may affect the strength of the growth but not "how" growth is achieved. A challenging economy will also magnify the impact of not following fundamental business processes when planning for growth. Incorrectly assessing your company's strengths and weaknesses or the opportunities and threats in a good economy can hurt you - but in a tougher setting can bring you down to your knees. That is why it is always wise to have someone challenge your assumptions and make certain you don't drink your own bathwater when creating your strategy for growth.

Good economy or bad the fundamentals of achieving growth remain the same. It starts with a sound plan.

Does your company have a written strategic plan? My informal poll says the answer is most likely "no". Ugh!

More on this topic later.

More information can be found at my
website: AllegroConsultant.com

Have a great day.