<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A Truly Great Challenge
Review: I cannot think of a greater challenge to organizations today than to find, hire, and then keep peak performers. This is one of two books which I have just read. Both suggest excellent strategies and tactics to meet this challenge. (The other is authored by Harry E. Chambers.) But what if an organization now has few -- if -- any peak performers? Obviously, it must develop them. How? In Hidden Value, O'Reilly and Pfeffer explain how great companies achieve extraordinary results with ordinary people. You can also hire them. In my opinion, one with which Arthur may agree, organizations must be constantly, indeed aggressively involved in recruiting all the time. That is to say, at least decision-makers must be identifying "the best and the brightest" workers employed elsewhere. Perhaps there is no need for them now. Even so, it is important to know who they are, to establish contact with them, and then stay in touch. One CEO I know has a simple but very effective strategy. Whenever she encounters someone who makes a highly favorable impression on her, she offers her business card. "I know you are very happy where you are now. That's great. And frankly, we do not have a suitable position available at the moment anyway. However, if you ever think about making a change, please give me a call. I'd really like to hear from you." Perhaps 18-24 months later, that person calls her. Arthur organizes her material within 11 chapters, ending each with a summary of key points. She then provides two especially informative appendices: "Employee Benefits Glossary" and "Legal Issues." Her advice on using an outside source (e.g. an executive recruitment firm) to help generate and screen candidates will be most beneficial to larger organizations. However, almost all of the other material will be of substantial assistance to any organization, regardless of its size or nature. All by itself, Chapter 6 is worth the cost of the book. In it, Arthur offers a wealth of suggestions concerning competency-based recruiting and interviewing, correctly stressing the importance of first establishing a solid pre-recruitment foundation, one which takes into account questions such as these which anyone involved in the interview process should be prepared to answer fully: 1. Am I thoroughly familiar with the qualities being sought in an applicant? 2. Are these qualities both job-related and realistic? 3. Can I clearly communicate the duties and responsibilities of this position to applicants? 4. Am I prepared to provide additional relevant information about the job and the company to the applicant? In other words, whenever a position becomes available, take full advantage that opportunity (a) to determine whether or not it should be filled and (b) if it must be filled, to identify job-specific competencies (prior to recruitment) and other factors which are necessary for success. In Chapter 7, Arthur includes Exhibit 8-1 which lists and briefly discusses "Reasons for High Turnover." For those organizations which have a problem with employee attrition, Arthur suggests a number of probable causes. In fact, I think all of the "exhibits" are informative, as with chapter summaries helping the reader to focus on key points which can easily be reviewed later. I also highly recommend Exhibit 11-1 in the final chapter which lists and briefly discusses 20 "Future Job Projections"; Arthur also includes Web sites which offer additional information about each, such as "workplace concierge" and "corporate anthropologist." Good stuff indeed. Arthur's expert guidance can help any organization to formulate or refine a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effective system by which to recruit and then retain the people it needs. Obviously, I think highly of her book. However, given the importance of the issues it addresses as well as the serious implications of decisions which must be made, I strongly recommend that several different sources (including hers) be consulted. Amazon.com identifies a number of possibilities; those who review them can assist the selection process.
<< 1 >>
| 
