Ropella

How to Save Money on Your New Hire

Posted: 05/28/2013  Category: Sourcing, Marketing, Recruiting, Training, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Executive Search Consultants charge large fees – shouldn’t I go another route?

It’s really a question of cost verses loss of revenue. You may not have thought much about this, but you are losing a substantial amount of revenue by leaving this position open. Here are just a few of the many costs that managers don’t think of until it’s already hurt their bottom line.

• Revenue Costs – delayed revenue resulting from longer production times, underutilized assets, loss of sales, etc.
• Personnel Costs – the added workload and higher stress levels can result in a number of problems like higher turnover, more frequent absenteeism, reduced creativity, and more.
• Team Costs – disruption in team cohesiveness, increased chance of other team members leaving, etc.
• Management Costs – less time to manage while working on the hiring process or filling in for the vacant role.
• Customer Costs – inability to fill orders or a reduced level of quality can reduce customer base.
• Competitive Advantage Costs – open positions send a message of weakness, jeopardize financing partnerships, and erode corporate culture.

Ken Forrester tells a fascinating, true story in the Fordyce Letter that illustrates just how beneficial to your bottom line hiring an executive search firm can be when we see the big picture. Take a moment to read his account: Placement Fees Are Cheap When You Look At Them This Way.

You can also view Ropella’s poster, video, or white paper on The Cost of Vacant Positions.

How to Make Your Next Interview Presentation a Smash Hit

Posted: 05/21/2013  Category: Transformation, Career Transition, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

How do I prepare for interview presentations?

What Perks Should I Push For?

Posted: 05/14/2013  Category: Transformation, Career Transition, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I know salary is part of a compensation plan, but what other incentives should I ask about before accepting a job?

The good news for employees is that compensation packages are moving toward diverse plans that cater to a growing need for a work-family balance.  It may be beneficial for you to sign on with a company that takes an “out of the box” approach by including some of these benefits in their plan:

• Life, dental, and eye insurance in addition to standard health insurance
• Discounted health club memberships
• Reimbursement for commuting costs
• On-site flu shots and smoking cessation classes

What Should I Do About Company Rumors?

Posted: 05/07/2013  Category: Transformation, Organizational Improvement, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I hear a lot of rumors from my co-workers that worry me and make me feel doubtful.  What can I do to ignore the water cooler gossip and focus on my work?

Whether global, local, or personal, fear shakes our confidence, causes stress, and keep us awake at night. Yet as scary as these situations may be, we often over-estimate the negatives and under-estimate our ability to deal with them.

• Rumors quickly become unspoken truths, which cause you to make decisions based on false data.  Unmask your fears by making a list of worst-case scenarios.
• Review personal resources and strengths, along with organizational competencies, that could be used as tools to combat the issues.
• Develop contingency plans based on your list of strengths to help you feel prepared in the chance that your worst-case scenarios come true.

What’s the Best Way to Lead in Crisis?

Posted: 04/30/2013  Category: Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

I find that my employees often look to me for answers…especially during times of uncertainty.  How do I react?

Your job as a leader is to eliminate fear and doubt by providing the vision and leadership your organization needs. Here are a few suggestions to help you manage risks, deal with uncertainty, and continue to prosper for years to come.

• Take Stock of Your Situation – Clearly state the current fear and brainstorm emergency plans to alleviate concern.
• See Where You Can Be of Service – Determine how your business can help create a more enriched, positive, supportive community.
• Imagine the Possibilities – Envision what the future can become.  Don’t be bound by the confines of today’s reality.
• Brainstorm Opportunities – Determine tangible action plans to solidify your visions.
• Align Your Vision with Your Action – Put your plans into action with crystal clear directives.

How to Shine at Your Next Interview Meal

Posted: 04/23/2013  Category: Marketing, Transformation, Career Transition, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

How do I prepare for an interview meal?

How Do I Handle Extreme Work Stress?

Posted: 04/16/2013  Category: Transformation, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Sometimes I find work to be very stressful and find myself getting upset and frustrated.  Do you have any advice on how to manage work stress?

When you become frustrated, angry, or upset, you are exhibiting an innate Fight or Flight Response.  The response was designed to protect you from bodily harm, but concentration is difficult when you are stuck in this survival mode.  Regain a focused, relaxed, positive attitude in three easy steps:

1. Acknowledge that you are in survival mode. When you become conscious of the state you are in, you have an easier time getting out of it.
2. Actively elicit a relaxation response. Use exercise, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga to calm yourself.
3. Find a new perspective. Think about your best outcome, action steps, or helpful qualities to diffuse the situation.

How to Achieve Peak Performance for Your Team

Posted: 04/09/2013  Category: Assessing, Training, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

We are ramping up for an eventful year and I want to help my employees prepare. Is there anything I can do to ensure they perform at their peak? 

Achieving peak performance means becoming mentally fit.  Make sure your employees are ready for the challenge by preparing them mentally, just as you would prepare them physically if you were training them for a marathon.  Encourage them to exercise the following traits:

• Maintain exceptional concentration. Peak performers focus on what they want to happen, not what they are afraid will happen.
• Remain relaxed despite outside factors. High achievers quickly recover their balance in the face of stressful circumstances.
• Learn quickly. Top performers welcome feedback and integrate it rather than getting defensive.
• Make goals that include personal value. Greater fulfillment is obtained by people who choose clear, inspiring, and personally meaningful objectives.

Career Path Off Track?

Posted: 03/26/2013  Category: Assessing, Retention, Training, Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

How do I help employees reach their career goals?

Many busy professionals start out with definite career goals.  Years later they find themselves wondering what went wrong.  Hectic schedules, changing values, and pressures of a balanced lifestyle can detour career plans.  Here are a few guidelines to get employees on track:

• Map out a Plan: Ask employees to take stock of their current situation and think about where they want to be in one, five, and ten years. Encourage them to tap into their sources of inspiration to create goals that fuel the fire within.
• Let them Grow: Offer professional seminars and continuing education classes to help employees discover their specialties and talents.
• Encourage Balance: Remind employees that family, friendship, and personal time are equally important to achieving long-term success.

What Kind of Team Member Are You?

Posted: 03/19/2013  Category: Retention, Transformation, Organizational Improvement, General Management, Ropella Answers,   ShareThis Article

Am I a team leader or a team player?

Even team leaders need to be team players, but there are certain attributes that make people feel more comfortable in a specific role.  No matter what role you play on a team, responsibilities should be clearly defined and all teammates should respect one another’s contributions.

• A team leader must be capable and willing to help members get through rough spots and take advantage of emerging opportunities.  Attributes include the ability to spearhead the effort, good communication skills, experience handling teamwork, and clear understanding of the project and team goals.
• Team players include people with diverse skills and personalities.  From cooperative “soldiers” who complete the tasks their handed to innovative “boundary spanners” who garner outside resources, a variety of personas are important. Attributes include reliability, constructive communication, active listening, cooperation and flexibility.