Company Policy, No Bananas

I would acknowledge the author of this tale I am about to tell about company policies. The story begins-

"Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it.

Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result; all the monkeys are sprayed with cold water.

Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it. Now, turn off the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him.

After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted. Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.

Again, replace a third original monkey with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four monkeys that beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. After replacing the fourth and fifth original monkeys, all the monkeys that have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs.

Why not?

Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been around here. And that's how company policy begins ..."

It is a good tale. It is funny and it brings out the point but is too ludicrous to be true in business circles?

All organisations have a tranche of policies which may be out of date or do not fit the environment in which the organisation now finds itself and cause significant levels of ineffectiveness. The solution to this often unseen problem is to review all policies and processes which are three or more years older for their purpose. As businesses evolve the parameters that impact performance and efficiency too evolve.

The earlier we observe the merrier, Otherwise we all risk making monkeys of ourselves!!!

Sign of the times

On efficient use of resources

Here is a good forward from a friend on mine.

Buddha, one day, was in deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human beings. One of his disciples approached him and said humbly " Oh my teacher ! While you are so much concerned about the world and others, why don't you look in to the welfare and needs of your own disciples also."
Buddha : "OK.. Tell me how I can help you"
Disciple : "Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one, please?"
Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition and needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. A while later, he went to his disciple's place and asked him "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?"
Disciple : "Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more"
Buddha : "Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?"
Disciple : "I am using it as my bed spread"
Buddha : "Then.. hope you have disposed off your old bed spread"
Disciple : " No.. no.. master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain"
Buddha : " What about your old Curtain?"
Disciple : "Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen"
Buddha : "Oh.. I see.. Can you tell me what did they do with the old cloth they used in Kitchen"
Disciple : "They are being used to wash the floor."
Buddha : " Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor...?"
Disciple: " Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room..."
Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources at home and in office? We need to handle wisely, all the resources earth has bestowed us with, both natural and material so that they can be saved for the generations to come.

2009 Global Executive Search Trends- Cook Associates

Here is an article on the global trends of executive search in 2008- 2009.

This has a picture of the ground realities of US, South Africa, Belgium, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, India and Japan. It also gives the plans for a path forward in the current and projected scenario in the recruitment and executive search markets in these countries. Go to-

http://www.cookassociates.com/executivesearch/documents/trends_globalsearch.html

An excerpt:

Coping: Leading in 2009
Winston Churchill once said that attitude is one little thing that makes a big difference. Attitudes are contagious. In 2009, exuding a positive attitude will be one of the most important behaviors to help navigate through the turbulence.
“For years there has been a war for talent, now there is a war for employment,” says Schelstraete.
That is why Schelstraete is going to give hope to people he works with, highlight positive news, meet more candidates and keep clients aware of the opportunities for recruiting.
Barrick seconds the approach. “It is never easy to conduct a truly consultative service-based business,” says Barrick, “So let’s be nimble, let’s be innovative and let’s continue to deliver with passion.” “We have identified key short-term objectives and measure ourselves monthly in our progress towards achieving them,” says Barrick. “We have launched an internal campaign amongst all our staff called “passion lives here.”
Khoo of Malaysia is going to be more aggressive in her recruiting strategies aiming at more recession proof industries.
For Epperlein in Brazil, the solution of 2009 issues lies in transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
Both Waite and McCool of Australia and the United States respectively agree that the solution lies in developing closer and more effective communication with the clients.
Meanwhile Wouters of Japan is going to focus on staying in the public’s attention by efficient marketing and public relations efforts.
Misra of India sees the way out by arming with key strategic tools. “In the current scenario, as companies employ “targeted hiring strategies”, it is important to equip ourselves, more than ever, with information and an active awareness of the availability of specific skill sets in the market place,” says Misra. Fortified with the right strategies, executive search consultants can help position prospective candidates more effectively.
Although the globe is bent with the hurdles of a rough economy, executive search firms see opportunities on the horizon. Good executives will no longer be adequate for futuristic companies looking for excellence in CEOs and hence, with executive recruiters. Thus, executive search firms will have to be ready to meet the demands of their clients and provide services better than ever before. Whoever withstands the storms of 2009 will be ready to embark again.

Spearhead Intersearch in Mumbai

Look out! Here comes our Mumbai team in battle gear and fully armed... to hunt for heads in your city. The newest addition to the SHIS family, Mumbai office is now fully functional.
Inviting Sridhar and Mayur Vora to give all the details here, and some photographs of our lovely office and lovelier guest room. It looks yummy, Im sure!