Deanna Hartley's Page

I just read an interesting article in which the author talks about how companies need to do a better job of not only identifying and tracking, but also sharing with employees on a regular basis what current and future "mission critical skills" and competencies are required for them to succeed at the organization and be eligible for higher compensation. Does your organization…See More

A new CareerBuilder survey of nearly 3,000 employers shows that organizations are adopting various tactics to try to prevent their talented employees from walking out the door. The most predominant measures were offering more flexible work arrangements, investing more heavily on training, and promising benefits such…See More

I was just reading about how an individual tackled her first job in HR with little or no help from anyone at the company. She was told by a manager that he couldn't show her the ropes and that she would need to read a stack of books in her office to figure out how to succeed at her job. The individual in question stressed the need for better onboarding processes to be established since it would likely improve employee retention. How important is onboarding at your organization? What are some…See More

I was just reading about a recent study which found that receiving employee feedback can actually make managers more effective at "coping with their emotions, empathising with individuals and resolving conflict." As a manager, how do you react to and treat feedback from employees? Are you open to and incorporate their suggestions or do you think of it as a mere formality? Or is it something you avoid altogether?

As 2009 quickly draws to a close, this seems like the perfect time to step back and make a mental note of both personal as well as business-related changes you may want to consider making next year.Are you (or your company) planning any big changes in 2010?See More

Ah, the holiday season is upon us — as is the much dreaded performance review season. A good number of managers across the country are busy preparing to sit down with their direct reports and offer both positive reinforcements as well as constructive criticism.What are some tips to keep in mind when conducting year-end performance appraisals? Are you doing anything different this year to render the process more effective?See More

I just read a BusinessWeek article on how to manage Gen U or “Generation Unretired ” — essentially those individuals who have had to postpone retirement in large part due to the recession. And before you dismiss this demographic, consider that about 8 out of 10 boomers are predicted to work beyond the normal age of retirement — whether it be part- or full-time, according to the article which…See More