Plenty of Job Openings But Not Enough Qualified Workers   There are currently 8.4 million unemployed and 10 million job openings. In ordinary times, this would put employers in the catbird seat. However, these are not ordinary times.   It may no longer be enough to simply hire and onboard employees with the normal and nominal introductions to company polices and familiarization with procedures and standard practices. This only works when a company has the advantage of an ample cache of qualified applicants to choose from.   The latest Labor Department data shows that nationwide, most industries have more job openings than people with the required previous...

"If I'd known that the roaring 20s were going to be two weeks in June, I would have done more". - Anonymous   This was going to be the summer where it all turned around. Cookouts, movies, vacations, the works. As it stands now, that was not much more than wishful thinking. Instead of most of the nation being vaccinated and achieving herd immunity, we are again locked in yet another pandemic wave, principally one of our own making. Maybe, just maybe, we could have made it work with the current U.S. (full) vaccination rate of 54.2%, but the even more infectious...

It’s the dog days of summer, that period of time between mid-July and late August. Surprisingly, the term “dog days” has nothing to do with dogs. According to Wikipedia, the source of all knowledge, The dog days or dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days we experience this time of year. They were historically the period following the rise of the star system Sirius (known colloquially as the "Dog Star"), which ancient astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms,  lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.   Why is this important right now.? First, this is the time...

Old Ben was more right than he knew. The phrase is usually credited to him because he used it in an essay (Advice to a Young Tradesman, 1748). The actual phrase was recorded in 1719 in the magazine The Free-Thinker.   No matter who originated it, your employees only have so much time every day, so it behoves you to make sure they know how to use it wisely. They may have every good intention, but if their communication skills are not up to par, they may be providing you less than ideal return on investment.   Whenever your employees engage in a conversation, whether...

Apply the Pareto Principle to your Organization   What is the absolute, best investment you can make in 2022? What single thing could you invest in that will guarantee a significant ROI? Plastics? No, that is so 1967. Pocket calculators? Go back to the 1970s. The compact disc? You’re still living in the 80s. Pagers? Oh my gosh no – they ruined the 90’s for everybody.    You get the idea. All great investments at the time, but they quickly became money pits. “So, you might ask, tell us what’s your great idea for guaranteed RIO for 2022?”   Your people.  That’s right, your employees. Invest in them. “What you talking about Willis?” (Sorry, 1980 flashback.) I’ll tell you what I’m...