One of the more difficult HR questions for every enterprise is determining the size and scope of its internal information technology (IT) talent pool. On one hand, having a large, experienced in-house staff allows the organization to respond quickly to requests from internal customers and changes in the market. It also can reduce the fees paid to outside consultants, developers and designers. But it’s also expensive to maintain a large […]
As any successful business leader knows, it’s quality service that brings in repeat business, and word-of-mouth referrals that provide the foundation for growth. Nearly all companies say that delivering great customer service is one of their strategic priorities. In fact, a recent Forrester Research study, “Navigate the Future of Customer Service,” found that 40 percent of surveyed executives said that improving the customer experience was their top customer service goal, […]
Most senior leadership development programs take a top-down approach, focusing on the traits and personalities of individual executives. The goal, in many cases, is to look at various leadership styles—such as autocratic, democratic or somewhere in between—and help executives learn new attitudes and behaviors. With a dynamic facilitator and a well-planned curriculum, these leadership programs can boost individual careers and increase an organization’s human capital. But there’s another perspective to […]
In most organizations, teamwork provides the foundation for getting things done. A strong team can multiply individual strengths and talents, creating a powerful force for moving a company forward. Of course, the opposite is also true: A poorly led team can waste time without achieving anything positive. Successful leaders are masters at the art of giving feedback. It’s true that feedback is an art, not a science, because what works […]
In most organizations, teamwork provides the foundation for getting things done. A strong team can multiply individual strengths and talents, creating a powerful force for moving a company forward. Of course, the opposite is also true: A poorly led team can waste time without achieving anything positive. Team-building is both an art and a science. Here are seven tips to ensure success: Strive for diversity. Having a wider range of […]
College professors know that one of the best ways to deepen your understanding of a certain topic is to teach it to others. As a senior executive, you can put that insight to good use by training, coaching and mentoring your team in leadership skills. Not only will you be giving them an opportunity to grow and progress in their careers—and support your own succession plan—you’ll also get an opportunity […]
Companies of all sizes seek to maximize their returns to their owners and shareholders while minimizing their exposure to risks. Since these principles also apply to the investment sector, an organization’s senior leadership team (SLT) can borrow some techniques from money managers and other financial strategists. One of the basic principles of sound long-term investing is diversification: constructing a portfolio of different assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate or […]
When interviewing job candidates, most recruiters focus on the past, asking questions like “What were your biggest accomplishments?” or “What did you learn from that experience?” But there’s another strategy that can help HR professionals determine whether a candidate will be a good fit for the organization, especially at the executive level. The technique is called behavioral interviewing and it focuses on how a candidate reacts when faced with a […]
Today, smartphones, tablets and laptops are essential communication tools for almost everyone from globetrotting CEOs to students. But the wide diversity of devices, applications and users has created a policy headache for large enterprises, small businesses, governments and educational institutions. There are myriad practical, legal, technical and financial questions to consider in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy. What is BYOD and how do you set up a BYOD policy? Just some […]
Lisa Thompson, Managing Director, Professional Services Executive coaching is an important part of the corporate culture in many organizations. When done effectively, coaching can boost productivity and help build new career skills. Yet, many organizations don’t extend their coaching programs into the C-suite. Coaching the CEO can be one of the best investments an organization can make, since the impact goes far beyond the C-suite—and it’s especially vital during […]
