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Human Resources > Articles of Interest
Success Rules of Underdogs - May 2009
Over the past seven months, as the Federal government has taken a much more active role in stimulating the economy, reviving the financial services sector and restructuring the auto industry, we’ve been regularly reminded of Richard Nixon’s observation in 1971 (and Milton Friedman’s before that) that, “We are all Keynesians now.” Link
Standing Out in Uncertain Times (VIDEO) - May 2009
With layoffs happening all over, many people become nervous about impressing upper management. Follow these tips... Link
Are We Really "Wired to Care?" - May 2009
The premise is that business people will do better when they take the time to understand others – customers, partners, suppliers, potential acquisition targets. If it sounds a bit like Dale Carnegie, well, it should. Link
Building a Successful Sales Team (VIDEO) - May 2009
This short video helps managers find the necessary balance between product training and interpersonal skills for a successful sales team. Interview with Jeff Seeley, CEO of Carew International. Link
Leadership Lessons Podcast - May 2009
This podcasted interview features the insights of Kimball Hall, a terrific young executive at Amgen, a Fortune 500 leader in biotechnology based human therapeutics. Link
Turbo-Charge Your Meetings (VIDEO) - May 2009
Are employees' eyes glazing over at meetings? Do you start to wonder why you're even there? Edward Muzio of Group Harmonics explains how to turbo-charge meeting agendas by adding 'expected outcomes'. Link
Want Better Performance? Say You’re Sorry - April 2009
Apology is not a get-out-ofjail- free card, but it’s less costly than the alternatives. In today’s unforgiving business climate, what exactly should CEOs say when they make a mistake or suffer a setback of their own making? There are really only two options.
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Social Media for HR Professionals Beyond LinkedIn - April 2009
Too many HR professionals have isolated themselves from their peers and the outside world. Building effective professional relationships is critical for career development and some of the on-line professional networking options can be very helpful in that regard. Link
Knock-Knock: It’s the C.E.O. - April 2009
This interview with Terry J. Lundgren, chief executive of Macy's, was conducted and condensed by Adam Bryant.
How Terry makes real connections with his employees... Link
The Language of Leaders - April 2009
Words convey so much both in how they are used and how they are chosen. What happened wasn’t about foul or ugly language, but rather something intended to be helpful. Link
Susan Boyle: A Lesson in Talent Management - April 2009
Susan Boyle, who recently performed on the UK television show Britain's Got Talent, has captured the world's attention. And it's a good lesson for managers the world over. Link
How to Revise an Email So That People Will Read It - April 2009
"People think that the first draft is the big event and that revision is cleaning up afterward. But the first draft is really setting up the chairs, tables, and cups, and revision isn't cleaning up after the party, it is the party." Link
Be a Better Listener by Keeping Score - April 2009
One of the most frequent opportunities I see for smart and talented leaders to be even better is to improve their listening skills. What is often the case with really bright people is that they have so many ideas and so much energy they end up dominating conversations and creating a disconnect with everyone else in the room. You’ve probably seen this. Link
A Lesson in How to Influence Your New Boss - April 2009
From the standpoint of media coverage and public attention, a quiet, but key, architect of the new Afpak policy has been Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Here’s a quick take on what I find both admirable and replicable in Gates’ approach... Link
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generations - April 2009
Fighting stereotypes of the young and old can avoid disruptions in the workplace. A sinking economy, stagnant wages, healthier lifestyles and an aging population have been contributing to an age-diverse workplace in which 17-year-olds work alongside senior citizens. Clashes are bound to occur. Link
Sleep Your Way to the Top - April 2009
There’s something you can do right now that will improve your productivity and decision-making literally overnight. That is to start getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Experts say that doing this can have a profound and almost immediate effect on your cognitive abilities, mood, and even health. We show you how to do it right.
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Cooking up a new career in the food industry - April 2009
Restaurants alone expected to add 1.8 million jobs in the next 10 years. More and more laid-off workers, those switching careers and young people just starting out are contemplating jobs in the food industry. Link
How Women Lead Differently - April 2009
Video interview. Mary Delaney, CSO of CareerBuilder.com, discusses if differences exist between male and female leaders. Link
Not so basic training - March 2009
E-learning solutions are available in a variety of formats designed to improve training efficiency and effectiveness. Link
Why Flex Time Should Survive the Recession - March 2009
Should work/life balance be one of the frontline casualties of the recession? Link
More influence than you think - March 2009
It's easy to forget how much impact you have on the people around you. After all, you're not really thinking about them; you're thinking about what's gone wrong with the project you're working on, your plans for the weekend... Link
The Human Side of SCM - March 2009
"How does the supply chain owner, or owners, manage the community of decision makers?" It was obvious as early as 1998 that the software magic being applied to managing supply chains ignored this community of decision makers — the human aspect of the supply chain — in favor of highly automated processes that took as much human intervention out of the supply chain process as possible. Link
Hindsight is 20-20 when assessing family business choices - February 2009
Usually, the clearest, best-informed and most rational understanding of what decisions should be made and what actions should be taken comes in the form of hindsight. And because family owned companies can be tied up by emotional influences on business decision-making, they may be more subject to this principle than are most other organizations. Link
New certification system for logistics workers - February 2009
A new credentialing system (CLA and CLT) has been developed for "front-line workers" in supply chain logistics - across the supply chain, including distribution centers. Link
Women in Logistics: Changing Demographics - February 2009
Back in the day, attending a trade show in the logistics industry meant that, for a few days, you were going to see a lot of male faces and very few female faces. Link
Bridging the Generational Chasm - February 2009
For the first time in history, four distinct generations are employed side-by-side in the workplace. This, in turn, presents leadership with the challenge of how to effectively manage this diverse workforce.
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Applying Lean to Labor - February 2009
The same Lean methods used to map process flow also can be applied to people management. Link
Labor Management: It’s All About People - February 2009
There’s been a real evolution in labor management. While some time-honed industrial engineering practices continue to be valuable, new techniques, lean thinking, and advances in warehouse management systems (WMS) and labor management modules are broadening the appeal to a wider range of supply chain operations. Link
Previous Work Experience Not Always a Positive for a New Job - February 2009
Employees with previous work experience bring valuable knowledge and skills to their new jobs - but some of what they learned may actually hurt their work performance. Link
Employers Hit Salaried Staff With Furloughs - February 2009
Temporary layoffs, once confined to blue-collar workers, are hitting white-collar culture as employers dig deep to cut costs. Link
2009 Featured Women of Influence in the Food Industry - February 2009
See the full list with profiles of inductees and featured women. Link
Obama Puts Employers on Notice, Signs Anti-Discrimination Law - January 2009
President Barack Obama signed his first bill into law today, reversing a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it harder to sue for pay discrimination. Link
Union Membership Rises in 2008 - January 2009
As the distribution industry continues to lobby vigorously against passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which the Obama Administration has indicated it strongly supports, a new report by the Bureau of Labor Statics (BLS) shows an increase in union workers last year. Link
The Reduction of Personal Interaction - January 2009
Justin Levy demonstrates how the convenience and speed of technology decreases opportunities for face-to-face time. Link
Online Social Networking: the Productivity Paradox - January 2009
The Web 2.0 revolution is transforming the very fabric of business and society today. But does banning wikis, blogs and sites such as Facebook at work boost productivity, or damage engagement, networks and creativity? Link
Ten Fast Hiring Facts - January 2009
Hire the perfect person for the job every time by using these 10 simple guidelines. Link
Warehouse Management: Investing in Human Capital - January 2009
Without an educated and motivated workforce, labor management systems and tools will take you only so far. Link
What would your mom say about your warehouse? - January 2009
A 15-minute walk-through of a facility can tell more about operations than an hour in the conference room. Link
The Case Against Org Charts, Job Descriptions... January 2009
Does our focus on formal org charts and job descriptions lead to twice as much inappropriate use of statements like "I can't help you; that's not my job" as actual problem solving? Milgrim’s findings indicate that humans are more obedient than conscientious. Link
Standing Out in the Crowd - December 2008
Whether you're a rookie warehouse operator, a mid-level transportation manager, or a veteran logistician, industry associations can help you make a name for yourself. Link
Employers: No Layoffs Here - December 2008
Some companies are promising not to lay off any workers, even during times of financial hardship. Link
Gift-Giving Etiquette at the Office - December 2008
Advice for handling interoffice gift-giving appropriately without causing embarrassment for anyone. Link
Businesses Say Theft by Their Workers is Up - December 2008
Companies find that trusted employees often commit the crimes, and they believe the recession is to blame. Link
Benefits on a Shoestring Budget - December 2008
Employers confronting a weakened economy may have less money to spend on wages and benefits, but some are finding low-cost ways to improve employee health and morale. Link
Improve Onboarding through Documentation - December 2008
Sitting in a barren cubicle, John looks at his office phone. He's already skimmed through his training manual twice and is now just sitting, waiting for his turn to go on a sales call…does this sound like your onboarding process? Free registration required. Link
What Gives? - November 2008
Why so much of your training has produced so few results (and how to prevent it from happening next year)... Link
How to Interview Over the Internet - November 2008
Webcam job interviews grow in popularity as companies scale back recruiting budgets. Link
A New Odd Couple: Google, P&G Swap Workers to Spur Innovation - November 2008
At Procter & Gamble Co., the corporate culture is so rigid, employees jokingly call themselves "Proctoids." In contrast, Google Inc. staffers are urged to wander the halls on company-provided scooters and brainstorm on public whiteboards.
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New Research on Causes of Executive Failure - November 2008
In order to be a great leader, it’s just as important to understand why leaders fail as it is to understand why they are successful. Link
Do As I Say --- NOT As I Do - October 2008
Today... employees are smarter, less willing to blindly accept this type of leadership without question. Link
9 Legal Landmines for Untrained (and maybe Trained) Interviewers - October 2008
Even seasoned interviewers can inadvertently ask questions that lead to legal problems. That's why the first rule in interviewing is "Innocent questions can lead to trouble." Link
Providing Feedback to Rejected Candidates - Are You Doing It? - October 2008
One candidate is happy and starting a new job with the company, and usually there are a few candidates who interviewed for the position, but weren't selected, who must now be dealt with. How do you close out these candidates? Link
The 'Trophy Kids' Go to Work - October 2008
Companies are facing another major challenge: figuring out how to manage a new crop of young people in the work force -- the millennial generation. Born between 1980 and 2001, the millennials were coddled by their parents and nurtured with a strong sense of entitlement. Link
B&G Foods Announces Reduction in Workforce - October 2008
B&G Foods, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of high quality, shelf-stable foods, announced today that it has begun implementing a reduction in workforce that will reduce the Company ’s workforce by approximately 7.5%. Link
Roll-Based Assessments: Thinking Inside the Box - October 2008
When organizations look to hire, the decision is not just about the right skills for the job anymore; it's also about the right corporate fit. But can an hour-long interview determine whether someone is a good fit? Link
Sara Lee Launches Internships For Would-Be Returnees - October 2008
Brenda Barnes, chief executive of Sara Lee, is starting something she calls the "returnship," a four- to six-month paid internship for people who have been out of the workforce for three to five years. Link
Taking a Time Out - October 2008
You've been assigned an executive coach to work with, and you don't agree with his advice. How should you respond? Link
Interviewing for Emotional Intelligence - October 2008
Is this person able to accept feedback graciously? Can he or she get along with most people? Does the person have drive and motivation? These questions can't be answered simply. Link
In Tough Times, Young Workers Need to Toughen Up - October 2008
In this new era of uncertainty, we all need to think like entrepreneurs. But first, let's start with a dose of reality... Link
Time to De-Stress - October 2008
Take these healthy steps to decrease anxiety and increase productivity. Link
A Third of U.S. Workers Admit Fake Sick Days-Survey - October 2008
third of U.S. workers say they have called in sick with fake excuses at least once this year, according to a survey released Wednesday. Link
What It Means to 'Manage Up' - October 2008
When someone tells you that you need to "manage up," what he or she is really saying is that you need to stretch yourself. You need to go above and beyond the tasks assigned to you... Link
An Opportunity for Distributors to Hire Talented Graduates - October 2008
NACE's executive director says that hiring plans are essentially flat, and that many employers are looking to cut back. Link
An Objective Method for Evaluating Project Managers' Performance - September 2008
A long-time project manager for EDS outlines a sensible way to evaluate project managers' performance using objective metrics that matter most to the business. Link
"Superior Grocers, Price Chopper Supermarkets Win MAXX Awards" September 2008
The Food Marketing Institute has presented the 2008 Maximizing People Potential Award (MAXX) to Superior Grocers and Price Chopper Supermarkets, in recognition of the companies' superior training and human resource programs. Link
"Making the Most of Customer Complaints" September 2008
Dealing with service failures means a lot more than just fixing the immediate problem. Here's how to do it right. Link
"How to Select Your Next Executive Hire" September 2008
Knowing which exceptional candidate to pick from a short list boils down to understanding culture fit and the critical demands of the role. Link
"The Right Way to Slack Off at Work" September 2008
Would you care if your colleagues called you a slacker?
Your instinct might be to deny allegations of being anything less than an overachiever, but in reality you could be better off as a lazybones.
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"Not What, Not How, but Who? Western Companies Face a Worldwide Talent Crunch" September 2008
According to experts... firms are increasingly questioning their workforce requirements and quality, training and development, and wage levels. Link
"C.H. Robinson Named a 'Best Place to Work'" September 2008
This is the seventh year C.H. Robinson has been recognized for their achievements in creating a positive work environment. Link
"Support Our Troops" September 2008
The best way to support our troops is to hire them when they come home. Here are 10 ways veteran employees can benefit businesses. Link
"World of Difference: The Next Dynasty" September 2008
As management styles flex to new workforce realities, we may see a move from monarchy to diarchy. Link
"Your Health: Keep a Service Record on Yourself" September 2008
All truck drivers would likely agree that injury and illness can happen anywhere, anytime. Planning ahead for such medical emergencies can save not only time and money, but also your life. Link
"Driver Sues Tacoma-Based Company for OT Wages" September 2008
A former driver for Interstate Distributor Co. has filed a lawsuit against the Tacoma, WA-based company, claiming it failed to pay him and other drivers legally required overtime wages. Link
"The Myth of The Bad Employee" August 2008
Most workers' comp claims are not fraudulent--but many employers believe otherwise. Link
"Create a Safe Working Environment" August 2008
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates there are approximately 34,900 serious injuries every year due to forklift mishaps alone. With sobering statistics like this, companies need to be asking themselves an important question--who is training our forklift operators? Link
"A Detailed Employee Training Program Will Help Improve Your Retention Rate" July 2008
If you are struggling with employee retention, the first program you should implement is a detailed training program. Link 
"Manage Improvements in the DC by Involving Your Employers" July 2008
Getting your own people to help with improvements makes things a lot easier. Link
"Noble Cause: Lift Truck Dealer’s Safety Efforts Help the Community" July 2008
When executives at Toyota Forklifts of Atlanta wanted to improve education for lift truck operators, they had two important and specific goals. First, they wanted to offer a unique, comprehensive and socially inclusive training program. Second... Link
"Facing the New Challenge: Human Capital Management" July 2008
What’s so new about the new workforce? According to experts in the human resources field, just about everything. An overriding issue is, or will be, the skills gap developing as Baby Boomers leave the workforce and younger workers, sometimes referred to as Millennials, enter.
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"Grainger Offers Hurricane Preparedness Guide" 2008
Grainger has created a 12-page Hurricane Preparedness Guide and launched a dedicated Web site. Link
"Size Does Matter" July 2008
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Medical Review Board called for all CDL-holders with a body mass index of 30 or greater to be required to take a sleep disorder test...
The recommendation could have sweeping implications for America’s truckers. Link
“Keeping Score-Driver Performance Scorecard” May 2008
Read how a company launched a unique Driver Performance Scorecard for its team of 300 employee drivers and experienced success by allowing drivers to know where they stand at all times, to be scored objectively, and to be rewarded for meeting expectations. Link
"Seven Ways to Keep Employees Committed to Change" December 2007
Change is almost constant in today's distribution centers. Keeping the employees committed to successful changes is key. Link
“Clashes over Classification” November 2007
A multitude of federal and state agencies are showing renewed interest in going after companies that may have misclassified employees as independent contractors. Carriers need to beware and be certain that their practices are in working order.
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“Managing the Workforce with Software” October 2007
Are labor costs the bane of your distribution center? Get a handle on labor costs with today’s solution- labor management software. Link
“Layover.com Truck Driver Recruiting Site Speeds Driver Recruitment” September 2007
Layover.com has added another feature to streamline the process for hiring drivers, eliminating the need to fax documents. Link
“The Challenge of Finding New Talent” August 2007
Where will the next generation of managers come from? Learn the steps your company can take for a successful recruiting strategy. Link
“DC Velocity Special Report: Salary Survey” May 2007
DC Velocity’s second annual salary survey shows that when it comes to salaries, the supply chain and logistics profession is the place to be. Link
“Managing the Critical Role of the Warehouse Supervisor” 2007
This article describes the changing role of warehouse supervisors, their competencies, job requirements, and training needs. It presents five key takeaways for managers. Link
“Finding Drivers: Part II” July 2006
Find tips for reaching the fastest-growing portion of the driver pool – Latinos.
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“Gainsharing in the Warehouse: Power from the People.” May 2006
This article shares how to make a gainsharing incentive program more successful by bringing it to the individual level and providing stronger motivation to the employees. Link
“Success of a Team Philosophy”
Learn the recipe to one distribution center’s success which is based on respect, efficiency, innovation and teamwork. Link
“Natural Disaster/Emergency Planning: 13 Supply Chain Tips to Better Weather the Storm” 2005
What emergency planning considerations should be in place to better ensure that a company’s supply chains operate in tough times? Here are some tips from global trade management experts. Link
“Recruiting Drivers in a Recession” 2001
Find positives to a recession by taking advantage of a larger pool of drivers for hire. Link
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