Eight new things you should learn in 2020

Eight new things you should learn in 2020 by Amber Rolfe Hands up if one of your resolutions was to learn something new this year?OK, so we can’t make sure you stick to your ‘New Year, New You’ mantra, but we can give you over 40,000 courses to choose from â€" and all of them are guaranteed to boost your skills in 2020.  To help inspire you, here are just eight new things you should definitely learn this year:Learn how to manage projectsProject management roles are widespread in almost every industry, from construction right through to finance, with their prevalence only expected to increase as time goes on.And there’s no better place to start than PRINCE2 ® AKA, the official benchmark for anyone looking to start or develop a career in project management.The PRINCE2 ® Foundation course is the perfect way to get started, which is available entirely online, and provides a solid introduction to essential principles of PRINCE2 ®. What’s more, you could have it under your belt in less than 50 hours, with the ne xt two levels (Practitioner and Professional) taking just a few more days to complete.Not only is it considered a prerequisite by employers in the industry, PRINCE2 ® qualified Project Managers have a higher earning potential, access to global opportunities, and the ability to carry out their role more effectively.Perfect for: People who are good at getting other people to do stuff.View all project management courses  Learn ExcelNot only are Excel skills something that everyone should have, the Microsoft programme is also one of the most widely used in the world â€" whether it’s relied on to analyse data, track hours, finances, and invoices, amongst a whole host of other things.The Ultimate Microsoft Excel Bootcamp will teach you a basic overview of Excel, including how to calculate sums, averages, totals, and cells, along with everything you need to know about learning formulas, pivot tables, and more.And it’s not all about spreadsheets.With a number of courses to help you lear n everything from basic office admin to how to become a receptionist, broadening your skillset with a qualification could be the best way to boost your employability.Perfect for: People who hate the paperclip.View all Microsoft Excel courses  Learn about human resourcesLet’s face it, a business wouldn’t be a business without HR.Focusing on all things people related and overseeing all aspects of employment, HR professionals are in charge of making sure all employees are recruited and trained effectively, their files are organised, they receive the right benefits, and are compliant with employment law.Essentially, if a company had a hall monitor, an HR professional would be it.And with a wide variety of HR courses to choose from this year, you could be it.   Including courses in everything from HR management, payroll, and recruitment, to training, leadership, and employment law, there’ll be something for you in 2020.For example, this CIPD accredited Level 5 HR Management course provides an in depth and comprehensive look into HR, allowing you to excel in HR Management roles. They’ll even throw in unlimited support from a CIPD tutor. What’s not to like?Perfect for: Hall monitors.View all HR courses  Learn to codeWhen it comes to current, lucrative, and in-demand skills, coding is one of the best. And what better time to learn than right now?Not only is an ability to code something that’s expected of the future workforce â€" it’s also becoming a part of everyday life.But if Ruby only makes you see red? Don’t panic. Many coding courses are designed for beginners with no previous experience of coding.This Full Stack Web Developer course in particular is a great introduction to the field, teaching you the core foundations of software and web development, web design, SQL, HTML, Python and web applications.Trust us, this type of Python is nothing to be scared of…Perfect for: People who want to speak in code.View all coding courses  Learn how to hackOK OK, but hear us out. If you do it this way, you won’t get arrested.That’s because you’d be hacking for good â€" protecting servers everywhere and keeping organisations’ important information secure. You’d be an online vigilante. A crime fighter of the world(wide) web. A modern day Superman, some might say.*    To help you fulfil your 2020 dreams of pursuing (or developing) a career in cyber security â€" we have a number of courses in all areas of the field, no matter what level you’re at.This Premium Cyber Security Collection is the perfect choice for anyone with a basic grasp of cyber security, who are looking to gain expert skills and knowledge through a whole host of industry recognised qualifications such as CompTIA, CEH, CISM, and more.Or, if you’re looking to specialise in ethical hacking, the Cyber Security Professional course provides the perfect balance of cyber security and IT learnings, blending the most sought-after cyber security certifications (e.g. CPE H) with some of IT’s leading certifications (e.g. CompTIA).Perfect for: People who want to use their powers for good.View all cyber security coursesLearn SageSage is one of the world’s most popular accounting programmes.  Used by over six million customers all over the world, it’s a vital part of many businesses from start-ups all the way through to large multinational corporations.  This makes knowledge of it essential for anyone looking to get ahead in the field of accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll. And with a number of Sage courses on offer, 2020 could be the year you start studying.  This Accounts Assistant Sage Training course provides a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of bookkeeping and VAT, with topics including everything from invoicing and bank reconciliations to preparation of accounts and working with spreadsheets and journals.  You’ll also benefit from a blend of academic and practical training, helping you to utilise your skills in a work based setting.  So what are you waiting for? Start studying Sage now.Perfect for: People with a head for numbers.  View all Sage coursesLearn AATLooking to get ahead in accounting? Look no further than AAT.If you’ve got a head for numbers and an interest in doing the maths (literally), a career in accounting or bookkeeping is for you. But you won’t get very far without becoming a part of the UK’s leading professional membership body.Awarding around 90% of vocational qualifications in accounting, AAT are the industry standard for proficiency in the profession. This means getting qualified won’t only improve your career prospects and earning potential, it’ll also make you better at your job.    AAT is split into four key levels, with Level 2 an ideal starting point for those looking to   break into the industry.  For example, this AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting includes AAT membership, and delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering dou ble entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and using accounting software.Perfect for: People who want to get certified.  View all AAT courses  Learn about businessBusiness skills are essential across a wide range of industries, from marketing and advertising to finance and accounting.  This makes a qualification in it extremely valuable. Not only will you learn about how an organisation works and what your audience wants out of a product or service, you’ll also develop your communication, negotiation, and strategy skills.  And since business is so broad, there are a number of courses to choose from. Whether you want to learn about business administration, business communication, business management, business ethics, or any other specialism.  But if you’re looking for something more holistic, try a degree that’s accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This Business and Management BSc is perfect for anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of all areas of business and management.Because it’s 100% online and can be studied part-time, you’ll even be able to make it work around your other commitments.  Perfect for: People who want to making learning their business.  View all business courses*No one will say this.  Ready to start studying? View all courses now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the Features Eight new things you should learn in 2020 by Amber Rolfe Hands up if one of your resolutions was to learn something new this year?OK, so we can’t make sure you stick to your ‘New Year, New You’ mantra, but we can give you over 40,000 courses to choose from â€" and all of them are guaranteed to boost your skills in 2020.  To help inspire you, here are just eight new things you should definitely learn this year:Learn how to manage projectsProject management roles are widespread in almost every industry, from construction right through to finance, with their prevalence only expected to increase as time goes on.And there’s no better place to start than PRINCE2 ® AKA, the official benchmark for anyone looking to start or develop a career in project management.The PRINCE2 ® Foundation course is the perfect way to get started, which is available entirely online, and provides a solid introduction to essential principles of PRINCE2 ®. What’s more, you could have it under your belt in less than 50 hours, with the ne xt two levels (Practitioner and Professional) taking just a few more days to complete.Not only is it considered a prerequisite by employers in the industry, PRINCE2 ® qualified Project Managers have a higher earning potential, access to global opportunities, and the ability to carry out their role more effectively.Perfect for: People who are good at getting other people to do stuff.View all project management courses  Learn ExcelNot only are Excel skills something that everyone should have, the Microsoft programme is also one of the most widely used in the world â€" whether it’s relied on to analyse data, track hours, finances, and invoices, amongst a whole host of other things.The Ultimate Microsoft Excel Bootcamp will teach you a basic overview of Excel, including how to calculate sums, averages, totals, and cells, along with everything you need to know about learning formulas, pivot tables, and more.And it’s not all about spreadsheets.With a number of courses to help you lear n everything from basic office admin to how to become a receptionist, broadening your skillset with a qualification could be the best way to boost your employability.Perfect for: People who hate the paperclip.View all Microsoft Excel courses  Learn about human resourcesLet’s face it, a business wouldn’t be a business without HR.Focusing on all things people related and overseeing all aspects of employment, HR professionals are in charge of making sure all employees are recruited and trained effectively, their files are organised, they receive the right benefits, and are compliant with employment law.Essentially, if a company had a hall monitor, an HR professional would be it.And with a wide variety of HR courses to choose from this year, you could be it.   Including courses in everything from HR management, payroll, and recruitment, to training, leadership, and employment law, there’ll be something for you in 2020.For example, this CIPD accredited Level 5 HR Management course provides an in depth and comprehensive look into HR, allowing you to excel in HR Management roles. They’ll even throw in unlimited support from a CIPD tutor. What’s not to like?Perfect for: Hall monitors.View all HR courses  Learn to codeWhen it comes to current, lucrative, and in-demand skills, coding is one of the best. And what better time to learn than right now?Not only is an ability to code something that’s expected of the future workforce â€" it’s also becoming a part of everyday life.But if Ruby only makes you see red? Don’t panic. Many coding courses are designed for beginners with no previous experience of coding.This Full Stack Web Developer course in particular is a great introduction to the field, teaching you the core foundations of software and web development, web design, SQL, HTML, Python and web applications.Trust us, this type of Python is nothing to be scared of…Perfect for: People who want to speak in code.View all coding courses  Learn how to hackOK OK, but hear us out. If you do it this way, you won’t get arrested.That’s because you’d be hacking for good â€" protecting servers everywhere and keeping organisations’ important information secure. You’d be an online vigilante. A crime fighter of the world(wide) web. A modern day Superman, some might say.*    To help you fulfil your 2020 dreams of pursuing (or developing) a career in cyber security â€" we have a number of courses in all areas of the field, no matter what level you’re at.This Premium Cyber Security Collection is the perfect choice for anyone with a basic grasp of cyber security, who are looking to gain expert skills and knowledge through a whole host of industry recognised qualifications such as CompTIA, CEH, CISM, and more.Or, if you’re looking to specialise in ethical hacking, the Cyber Security Professional course provides the perfect balance of cyber security and IT learnings, blending the most sought-after cyber security certifications (e.g. CPE H) with some of IT’s leading certifications (e.g. CompTIA).Perfect for: People who want to use their powers for good.View all cyber security coursesLearn SageSage is one of the world’s most popular accounting programmes.  Used by over six million customers all over the world, it’s a vital part of many businesses from start-ups all the way through to large multinational corporations.  This makes knowledge of it essential for anyone looking to get ahead in the field of accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll. And with a number of Sage courses on offer, 2020 could be the year you start studying.  This Accounts Assistant Sage Training course provides a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of bookkeeping and VAT, with topics including everything from invoicing and bank reconciliations to preparation of accounts and working with spreadsheets and journals.  You’ll also benefit from a blend of academic and practical training, helping you to utilise your skills in a work based setting.  So what are you waiting for? Start studying Sage now.Perfect for: People with a head for numbers.  View all Sage coursesLearn AATLooking to get ahead in accounting? Look no further than AAT.If you’ve got a head for numbers and an interest in doing the maths (literally), a career in accounting or bookkeeping is for you. But you won’t get very far without becoming a part of the UK’s leading professional membership body.Awarding around 90% of vocational qualifications in accounting, AAT are the industry standard for proficiency in the profession. This means getting qualified won’t only improve your career prospects and earning potential, it’ll also make you better at your job.    AAT is split into four key levels, with Level 2 an ideal starting point for those looking to   break into the industry.  For example, this AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting includes AAT membership, and delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering dou ble entry bookkeeping, basic costing, and using accounting software.Perfect for: People who want to get certified.  View all AAT courses  Learn about businessBusiness skills are essential across a wide range of industries, from marketing and advertising to finance and accounting.  This makes a qualification in it extremely valuable. Not only will you learn about how an organisation works and what your audience wants out of a product or service, you’ll also develop your communication, negotiation, and strategy skills.  And since business is so broad, there are a number of courses to choose from. Whether you want to learn about business administration, business communication, business management, business ethics, or any other specialism.  But if you’re looking for something more holistic, try a degree that’s accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This Business and Management BSc is perfect for anyone looking for a comprehensive overview of all areas of business and management.Because it’s 100% online and can be studied part-time, you’ll even be able to make it work around your other commitments.  Perfect for: People who want to making learning their business.  View all business courses*No one will say this.  Ready to start studying? View all courses now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the Features

3 Personalities Who Ruin Meetings - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Personalities Who Ruin Meetings - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In every office, there are types of people that make the meetings miserable. This week I combined the 3 most frequent types of personalities that ruin meetings, enjoy! Multi-Tasker: The multi-taskers bring their laptops and cell phones to the meeting and constantly keep working on their laptops and check their phones all the time. They are physically present during the meetings but not mentally there. Therefore, they don’t listen to the meeting and they never talk unless someone calls out their names and ask them for their opinions. In order to prevent their names being called, they try not to make any eye contact with other people in the room. If their laptops run out of battery, then, they switch to their phones and keep writing emails or check their social media. It is best to talk with these types of people after the meeting and ask whether they have too much work on their shoulders. Maybe, it would be better for them to skip some meetings and only attend the crucial ones. The “But…” guy: These types of personalities try to kill all of the ideas without presenting any alternatives. Since they are negative and pessimistic all the time, they drain other people’s energy too and make them passive. The rest of the people in the meeting stop talking and presenting other ideas in the fear of looking stupid in front of everybody because the “But” guy will again find something to destroy their ideas. In order to prevent “But” guys during meetings, ask everyone in the meeting to come prepared with ideas or repel this person by saying “Thank you for your point but let’s try to focus on solutions and follow the agenda we have.” The Latecomer: These types of people are always fashionably late to the meetings and usually make the excuse of the previous meeting running longer than expected. These people usually have time-management problems and therefore, it is best to send them a different meeting invite than others. If the meeting is going to start at 2pm, then send them the invite as 1:45pm so they can prepare accordingly. Also, the meeting gets worse when the latecomer wants a summary of the discussion so far because this is a waste of other people’s time in the meeting and prevent everyone to move on with the agenda. In order to avoid this, tell the latecomer that s/he can catch up on the conversation after the meeting ends via the meeting minutes so that others don’t get disrupted.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Choosing a Career

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Choosing a Career When I was a kid, I dont remember anyone asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up.A career was just not something I contemplated at an early age. When I played Barbies with my best friend in first grade, my Barbie was always named Beth and she either worked as a florist or in a Woolworths. This was the extent of my career knowledge my grandfather owned a nursery and my mother and grandmother took me to Woolworths every Saturday.As I got older, I used to talk about being a teacher. I have no earthly idea why I didnt even like to baby sit, so being around children all day obviously held no appeal. I guess since the women in my family were either secretaries or teachers, I decided on teaching since I hated typing.But I remember the day I took my first journalism class in high school. It was like the planets aligned, the future seemed clear and nothing ever felt more right. After more than two decades in journalism, Ive never once regretted my decision and have loved (almost) every day in my chosen profession.After being a workplace columnist, however, I know this isnt typical for most people. Many times, people go to technical school or college or even get advanced degrees in what they plan on doing for a living. Then, either before they finish their schooling or sometime later in their careers, they discover they dont really want to be a stock broker or a teacher or a doctor for a living. They would really rather do what they always dreamed of as a kid: run a bait and tackle store in Key West. Or, maybe they dreamed of designing kites for a living, but their parents vetoed that idea and so they became a computer technician.My point is that we often try and find careers based on our skills not our passions. In elementary school today, they are testing children to see what their natural career paths will be based on the childs test scores and interests. Maybe this works for some people. All I know is that while Beth was happy working in Woolworths or arrangi ng flowers all day, I would hate to think I missed journalism because I tried to make a decision without finding my passion first.Career counselor Marty Nemko makes the point that finding the right chemistry with a career means doing something for a living that involves both your head and your heart. I think one of the best ways to do that is to explore whats out there and really look honestly at what you like to do and what you dont. (Sometimes just eliminating things can put things in perspective.)Here are some good resources to help you to begin your research: www.bls.gov/opub/home.htm: The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers career guides and outlook for hundreds of jobs and industries. www.onestopcoach.org This site helps you navigate through hundreds of federal sites when searching for a job or career. www.rileyguide.com/prepare.html: If you dont have a clue what youd like to do, start here with this guide that helps guide you through the choices. www.careers.org: This site pr ovides thousands of links to a wide variety of career resources on the Internet. You can also take a free career test to find out what job is right for you. www.kidzonline.org: With more than 90 streaming video interviews with celebrities, business leaders, athletes, musicians and career professionals in different industries, this site is cool for kids and adults.

Choose a Productive, Constructive Perspective Rather Than a Destructive - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Choose a Productive, Constructive Perspective Rather Than a Destructive - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If I havent made it clear enough in my last two posts, let me recap that if given a choice, your managers and colleagues prefer to have around them an individual who: Has an inexhaustible good nature and is habitually affable. Has a determined cheerfulness and is easygoing even in adversity. Is happily disposed and always on an even keel. Is flexible and not easily rattled. Doesn’t always have to have things go his or her way. Is always pleasant. Is uncomplicated, without drama. Does not feel like a victim. Continually chooses a productive, constructive perspective rather than a destructive, negative, sour, sullen, dissatisfied, agitated, and discontented viewpoint. Debra is the co-author of the new book from McGraw-Hill titled, The Leadership Mind Switch (June, 2017)

Writing an Objective For a College Resume

Writing an Objective For a College ResumeWriting an objective for a college resume is more than just copywriting. Writing an objective to make a resume stand out from the rest is a skill that can take time to learn. The following tips will help you improve your skills in resume objective writing.Subjective statements are commonly used as a form of advertisement on a resume. The idea behind this is to not be direct but to offer information that offers potential employer's something they can use to form an opinion about you. As you begin to write the objective, it is important to ask yourself what information you want to communicate and why you are communicating it.One way to improve your skill is to start asking yourself what your personality is like and what you need to improve on. Make sure to give examples of good and bad things that happen in your life. They may be small details such as a job promotion or a part-time job that could make a big difference in your life. While the exa mples will be small, they can be very important.It is also important to think about why these reasons are important to you. After all, you can't please everyone. You can, however, have a common reason to have your reasons, and this will help you communicate better with the reader.When writing an objective for a college resume, you should always try to add personal touches. Personal stories from experiences will help readers understand why you want to be employed by the organization. This also allows the reader to form an opinion about you based on the story.If you do choose to include your past experience in the resume, it is important to ensure that the information is truthful. For example, if you were in a leadership position at an organization and worked with some individuals who left the organization because they felt disrespected, it would be best to write in a direct way. However, if you were in a management position and your team members left because of dissatisfaction, it is still a good idea to use a personal story to tell a compelling story. Remember, even though the story sounds more direct, it should still be accurate.Always keep in mind that it is always best to write in a personal tone. Keep in mind that the reason that your resume is important is for a person who is interested in working with the same type of organization or employer as you. If you are trying to get a job that does not fit the description you gave in your college resume, then there is no point in trying to make your statement sound professional.It can be a little time consuming and complicated to write a resume objective but it is a skill that can make the difference between getting an interview and failing to get one. Try the tips in this article to improve your resume writing skills.

3 Common Mistakes Career Changers Make (And How to Avoid Them) - CareerEnlightenment.com

3 Common Mistakes Career Changers Make (And How to Avoid Them) Being stuck in a career that you hate can be soul destroying, especially when you have no idea what you’d like to do instead. The weight of expectation, fear, and indecision can lead you to make a rash decision about a change in career that, ultimately, leaves you just as unsatisfied.When it comes to making a career change there are common mistakes that people make. Being aware of them and considering a different path to change can save you from making a career decision that you’ll live to regret. Here are three common mistakes career changers make and how to avoid them.1. Rushing into thingsWhen you are doing a job that makes you miserable, it is tempting to want to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this makes you vulnerable to jumping into any old role that is put in front of you in the hope that it will make you less unhappy.If you can manage it, staying put for now could give you the breathing space you need to discover what you truly want. Is i t really the career that you hate, or simply the company you work for? If it is the career that’s not working for you, have you truly considered what you’d like to do instead?2. Trying to solve the problem by thinkingFor many of us especially knowledge workers our first port of call for solving a problem is to think it through until we come up with a viable solution. Making lists of alternative jobs, weighing up pros and cons, and researching logical pathways to change often seem like the most natural first step.The problem with going about things in this way is that we are limited by our current worldview. Without experiencing new things it’s impossible for us to see beyond what we know today. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Instead of trying to analyze our way in to finding a new career path, we must act it. Before throwing yourself into a job search, consider how you could dip your toe into alternative career paths without going the whole hog. Volunteer somewhere that you find interesting, shadow a friend who works in a different field or take an evening class or Open University course in a subject that piques your curiosity.3. Relying solely on current skills and experienceFor career changers, it can be disheartening to trawl through job advert after job advert only to find that your CV is full of gaps. There are bound to be people already working in the sector you are interested in who have more experience and are more qualified on paper.Too often, this leads us to stay put in a job that makes us unhappy for fear of rejection. But it doesn’t have to be this way; if you can show potential employers your true worth by presenting your whole self to them, they are more likely to overlook any holes in your resume.Again, this is where action trumps thinking. Getting yourself in front of people through volunteering, shadowing or retraining will allow them to see you for your potential, not simply for who you are on paper.Changing your career can be a daunting prospect, but with some small actions and a little patience, it is possible to discover your true calling. Instead of worrying about your next role, take some time to try new things, meet new people and expand your horizons before taking the leap. You never know what you might discover about yourself.

The seeeeeeriously cool way out of a downturn - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The seeeeeeriously cool way out of a downturn - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog The economy may be bad but Wim Roelandts isnt really bothered much by that because, as he told me, this is his 8th?recession so far. Wims worst crisis as a leader came in 2000 when Xilinx, a computer chip manufacturer based in? Silicon Valley, got hit hard and fast by the dot-com crisis. In the December 2000 quarter their revenue was $450 million ? 9 months later, their revenues for the September 2001 quarter was down to only $225 million. Something had to be done, and fast, but what? Wim Roelandts, an affable Belgian who is usually seen with a smile on his face, was the CEO back then and was clearly facing some tough choices. And while Xilinx competitors wasted little time in laying off?a large percentage of their staff to cut costs, Wim felt here had to be a better way. He came up with a plan for his organization and the 2,800 people in it and called it ?Share the pain?.?The plan had three?major?components. 1: Cut salaries, not jobs Wim felt strongly that if they laid off people now, theyd just need to rehire them 5 or 6 quarters later when business improved. Couldnt there be a way that?kept people on even during the crisis? So they instituted a pay cut that was progressive and voluntary.?Progressive meant that your pay cut depended on your salary ? the higher your salary, the higher your pay cut. These were some typical pay cuts: Job Pay cut Production-level employees 0% Junior-level engineers 6% Senior engineers and middle managers 9% Directors 12% Vice Presidents 15% CEOs (thats Wim!) 20% So while production employees were not affected at all, Wim himself took the largest pay cut ? 20% of his salary. They might have given everyone a 10% pay cut, but chose this way because it shares the pain ? not the pay cut. When youre a production-level employee with a salary of around $30.000-40.000 trying to live in the Silicon Valley area, a 5% or 10% pay cut could really damage your quality of life. When youre a VP, 15% is entirely survivable. Secondly the pay cut was voluntary. This wasnt part of the original plan but it turned out that Xilinx employees in Europe would have to agree to take the pay cut voluntarily, so Wim decided to make it voluntary for everyone. Amazingly, every one of the 2.800 employees chose to take the pay cut except one. And no, that one person was not singled out for reprisals of any kind. Voluntary means voluntary. Thinking back to this entire time, the one thing that Wim is the most proud of, is that everyone agreed to the pay cut in order to save their co-workers jobs. Later in the process, when the pay cuts turned out not to be enough to keep the company profitable, they introduced more measures, like closing the company for one day every other week and the option of taking a paid leave of absence to take an education. Though Wim was very careful never to promise that there would be no lay-offs, this plan meant that Xilinx got through the crisis without laying off one single, solitary employee. 2: Communicate openly Wim knew that honest communication was essential. His motto was to ?keep communicating and force his management team to communicate.? In practice, he organized meetings with his entire management staff and the managers below them as well. He knew, that when employees had questions, they wouldnt come to him or the VPs, they would come to the managers closest to them, so it was important that they knew what was happening and remained optimistic. This is not easy, as Wim readily admits. ?I didn?t know any more than anybody else what was coming and so the tendency is to close your office door and don?t talk to anybody because if you talk with someone, they can ask questions that you don?t know the answers to. But that?s actually the wrong thing to do, you have to get out there. You have to talk with people and even more important you have to force your management to get out and talk, talk to people, tell them when you don?t know but also tell them all the things you know and good friend to give people some hope that things will get better soon.? In these sessions with the managers, Wim would go over the companys situation honestly and thoroughly and then they would discuss how to communicate this to the employees. Typical topics of discussion were: What can we do as managers? What do we say? How do we act? A key aspect of these meetings was also to listen to the middle managers, so they felt good about the companys situation and could pass that feeling on to their people. 3: Involve employees in decisions They involved people in all new initiatives by consulting focus groups of employees. Theyd get 20 employees together, tell them about what they were planning to do and get their honest feedback. One specific decision that came out of these focus groups concerned new employees. Originally, the company had planned not to include them in the pay cuts. When this was tested, the new employees protested ? they wanted to be treated like everyone else and ?share the pain? too. An intended byproduct of the focus group sessions was that information about the crisis and how it was being handled spread quickly throughout the organization. When the initatives were announced to the employees, most people had heard about them already, which created more trust. Wim himself That was his plan for the organization, but there was another equally important aspect: Himself! On a purely personal level, Wim did three things to handle the crisis. First, he did his best to be positive. Yes, the very survival of the company was at stake, but he still had to believe that there was a way out. Wim put it like this: ?You have to be positive yourself. If you are negative and you come in the factory everybody?s going to be looking at you and getting depressed. So however bad it is, however sad you feel, however worried you are, you come to work in the morning and you put on a big smile and you feel optimistic and you exude optimism and positive thinking. When you are the CEO and you see the numbers go down every week or every day, it?s very easy to become depressed yourself and you really have to find the inner strength.? Secondly, he saw the crisis not only as a threat but also as an opportunity. This has become something of a stale and ridiculed clich? (the next time some tells me, ?We dont have problems, we have opportunities,? I may punch them) but Wim saw this crisis as a chance to get creative and try something new. To him, creativity and innovation shouldnt just be applied to creating new and exciting products but also to leadership ? to find new and exciting management solutions. And thirdly, Wim saw this as a chance to prove that there is indeed a better way to handle a crisis than the tried-and-stale ones. He wanted to show the world, that this can be handled differently. ?Im gonna show them? may not be the noblest motivation, but its not uncommon. All the leaders I interviewed for this book expressed the same desire to ?show them!? Now make no mistake, Wim faced a lot of resistance to his approach. He had heated discussions with some board members, who wanted to know why he didnt just lay off 10% of the employees when everyone else in the industry was doing it. The same arguments came from outside the organization from financial analysts, who also would have been much more comfortable with the traditional approach. Time proved Wim right and the result of this creative approach to crisis leadership was amazing. The results were: Profitability Except for the second quarter of 2001, when there was an inventory write down, Xilinx was profitable every quarter of that recession. Customer satisfaction Xilinx kept the same people in sales so the customers saw the same people they were used to talking to. Market share Xilix gained 15 point of the market share during the crisis. Because they kept their people they could keep momentum. Product development They had time and people to keep developing new products ? essential in their high-tech industry. Recruitment and training savings After three quarters the market started to improve. Because Xilinx had kept their people, they did not have to spend a ton of money hiring and training new people. Motivation and happiness at work ? This showed employees that they were truly valued. Not just on paper and in good times, but also in a down-turn. At first employees were skeptical, seeing it as a cheap trick. ?Yeah, you say youre not doing lay-offs, but its just a matter of time,? was a common attitude. But as many other companies in the area had mass lay-offs and Xilinx employees saw friends losing their jobs and having to sell their houses they started to come around. During that time Xilinx participated in the Fortune Magazine 100 best places to work and came in the top 10 ? in the middle of the companys worst crisis ever. The effect was also felt outside the company. One day, about two years after the crisis when Xilinx was back on track, Wim was just arriving at the office when he was approached by a female employee who happened to arrive at the same time. She told him this story: ?My husband got laid off and so yesterday evening we had a family meeting with the children. We had to tell them that their father had been laid off and that they had to do some savings and we had to be very careful how we spend money, to make sure that we get through this tough time until our dad finds a job again.? One of my children asked but mom what is going to happen if you get laid off. and?I was so proud to say that I work at Xilinx and Xilinx doesn?t lay off people.? Wim told me that this was his proudest moment in the whole process. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related