Market Trends
Employment Trends for 2009-2010:
|
|
 [ 2009-03-02 ] |
First, the good news: managers aren’t always the first to be fired when the economy slows, says Paul Reisman, president of Montreal-based executive coaching and development firm People Solutions Inc. He explains that companies may let go of lower level of staff first, since managers will be more valuable on the long term.
But with companies like Bell Canada announcing major cuts to their management teams, it’s natural for leaders everywhere to feel the pinch.
The experts offer five useful tips for bosses who want to go the extra mile to secure their jobs.
1. Sell yourself. Show high-ups that you have a handle on what the company needs and that you are integral to its future. “Display your deep knowledge of the organization and understanding of the current situation,” Reisman says.
2. Be positive. “A person who has good relationships in an organization will get cut long after one with a bad attitude,” says Sharon Irwin Foulon, director of career management at the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business. “There’s something refreshing about being around someone who’s a problem solver.”
3. Strengthen relationships. “Walk around asking how you can help [the people who report to you], your peers and your boss,” Reisman advises. Nadia Ciani, vice president of human resources and communications with Manpower Inc., agrees. “Remain available to your team because they’re certainly anxious,” she says.
4. Focus on results. Turn out high quality work and talk in a positive way about your accomplishments and current projects, Reisman says. Ciani adds that managers “need to align their people to the organization’s vision and move away from activities that don’t support a business in its growth.”
5. Plan ahead. If keeping their current job isn't possible, managers should prepare for the job hunt. They should analyze their skills to see which ones, such as problem solving, team building, decision making, analysis and planning could be transferable to another industry or organization. Then indicate them clearly on their resumes. “Some skills are transferable to all jobs, especially management jobs,” Reisman says.
Are you aware of substance abuse in your workplace?