Preparing to be Back in the saddle

No one wants to find themselves in an odd situation. Again. You never want to be without a job. Again! I have written about lay-offs before and I have subtly referred to it as well as talked about my own experience. Approaching the end of 2009, I started this site as a result of company restructuring. I was notified on a Friday in 2009 so TGIF doesn’t mean quite the same thing to me anymore. Toward the 3^rd quarter of 2010 I found a position that worked. Over the last 2 years it has been great. I have learned a lot. I was able to teach just as much.

Now I am looking for a position again. So what’s up?

I have enjoyed working for Standard Register. I would love to continue working for them because it is a great fit. A great team. A great company. But with any company times are difficult. With the company’s recent announcement of cutting up to 15% of the workforce I am in preparation mode.  Over the last 2 years I have worked to contribute toward sustainability. Increasing not only the performance of the individuals I worked with, but also their understanding of the people across the business…

… here I am, ready for you!!!

In light of the news I am weighing my options and that means I am making myself available, so…

An experienced human resources and training professional, I hold an MBA and a solid background with large and small companies in the areas of Business to Business solutions, Manufacturing and Fortune 500. I have a real ability in speaking, formal communications and have a deep interest in venturing into External Relations and PR. I believe I would be pretty great at it. With my more recent Social Media, virtual WebEx and salesforce.com implementation experience, the technical side is not to difficult for me to master either.

So What I am Looking For?

• My core experience has been working within the business and with the people from the front line to the glass ceiling. I am most experienced in training, human resources and business strategy. I am very proud of being able to talk the language of business and the language of people!
• I love working in performance management and the training side of the business. However, I also have transferable skills that would seamlessly transition into Corporate Communications and External Relations.
• I am based in Cincinnati, OH. For me now, working locally or in the Dayton, OH area would be ideal but telecommuting with travel would be an option.
• I would like to work with a company that allows me the opportunity to build value for their customers and to reach out to their employees using social media. It would be an added bonus to continue writing in my blog as well.
• I am open to a full-time employment, consultant based or project based roles.
• The best thing is that my entire team and many of the people who I worked with offer their references… so you should feel confident I am a great hire!

If you have read something that builds your interest in adding me as a valuable member of your team, please feel free to contact me. You can find out more by reviewing my LinkedIn profile or downloading a PDF of my Resume. And if you want to get in touch with me, please do so.

This Blog: I have been writing this blog for about 2 years which has allowed me to stay in touch with my area of expertise, deal with challenging topics, and leverage the connections and conversations. I have built these into some strong and beneficial business collaborations and partnerships. Through it I have been able to do gain great feedback and conversation. It has been a great experience.

“Just because you don’t have work… doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do!”

and I’ve got work to do!

Some employers think they don’t have to worry about the exodus of employees leaving the four walls of their organization whether it be due to the economy, fear, or complacency. However, even with a 8.5% + unemployment rate, your best employees always have an opportunity to leave.

With everyone getting into the New Year spirit of Resolutions… I am sure that finding another job in a perceived better company is one of those resolutions. I guarantee you this one may not die as quickly as their new gym membership!

Here are a 7 signs they may be leaving you….

Reprint from 2010

So about the title… umm you just got laid off, through no fault of your own. It can be difficult to sit on the other end of a desk. The supervisor or person who you feel might as well be holding a gun to your head to keep you from reaching over and slapping them for saying, “this is nothing personal.” Well guess what, they are wrong. While dissolving of a position or reduction of workforce may be a business decision, it is very personal, for the people giving the news and the individual receiving it. It is easy to list a few of the many disadvantages; the packing of personal or company items (for you thieves) with or without security, the walk to the car, the oh so long drive on the way home to think about what has just happened, the breaking of news to the family and then the subtle but daunting task of searching for a new position.

So what could possibly be the benefit that comes from losing, for what many of us is, our only source of income? What great things could be hidden in this process for the HR person delivering the news? Few would agree that there are any benefits, yet believe it or not there are. There are even more benefits now then there were even a few years ago. Having a good breakfast and calling other unemployed friends are not among the reasons I am discussing, although pretty damn good and funny!

For HR:

• It’s a chance for HR to make the company look Humane. Being in the room for a lay-off with the manager and employee is not something any of us wants to be apart of often but it is one task that can come with the job. You have a chance to show what gratitude there may be for the employees service and help in retaining the brand of your company. The last thing you want is for the person to have a bad experience, echo it out to the world through twitter and the blogosphere and set you up as a bad guy, ultimately leaving a bad impression on any future candidate that you want to hire for that same position after the righteous company comeback (did I just say “that same position” oops). We, HR, can be perceived as the good people for a change!
• Performance issues. Have to be careful here but, let’s face it, not all supervisors do a good job in effectively giving performance reviews. The good and bad  is not always outlined. But regardless of who is at fault, if there were issues with the employee/employer relationship, reduction in workforce is an easier argument to have and a much quicker conversation. Especially in this economy.
• More quiet time. Fewer employees mean fewer grievances, reduced visits to your office and request for the “private talk” about ones supervisor and/or boss. OK, this is not really a good argument, but you have all thought about it haven’t you? Why be afraid, admit it.

For the Unemployed:

• Family Time. The maximum benefit would be the time you spend with your family and friends. You can become even closer with the extra time you are spending together. Let’s face it, your kids, significant other and people who are most important to you will never say, “Dang you should have spent more time at work.”
• Regenerate/Reflection. If you are like me, there is never enough time in the day. If you are currently not working, you often feel like you have more work to do then you did when you were working. In this time away, you can now take the time to get to know another side of yourself that you have not experienced in awhile. You take the time to discover what that side is.
• Reevaluate life and career goals. Why Not Re-Evaluate Your Career Path Choices? Nuff said.
• Unemployment Benefits. No longer are there long lines at the unemployment office. The unemployed can now handle everything online (that is if they can still afford internet access). Don’t quote me but the max you can receive on an unemployment claim is around $452, given you make more than $900, give or take. There has been talk of an added benefit under the new administration prolonging benefits for an added 13 months as well as an increase in benefits for up to $25 to those who qualify. You scoff, “Ooh a whole $25 extra.” Yeah you are laughing now but an extra $25 can go a long way in tough times.
• Retraining. Yes, if you need an upgrade in certifications, knowledge or skills; there is potential to receive added funds. Only to those who quality and ask.
• Other possible benefits: Refinance or Modification of a Mortgage Loan (check with your bank), Return the school, etc.
• Excuses to be cheap. When people ask for change, asking to cover the tab, or donations; you actually have a good excuse to be cheap!

This is a simple and brief list. Some of these were meant to help you laugh to keep from crying but there are real ways to deal and even recover from reduction in force. While difficult, a lay-off can end up being the bridge between the move from a potentially bad situation to better one, for both the employee and/or the employer.

No matter who you are; rich, poor, race, culture, creed, educated or not… this economy is effecting you.

Currently the unemployment rate is 9.1%. I was affected just around a year ago. Like many others I did everything that people say you should do. Get an education, stay well-networked, present yourself in the best way possible. Unfortunately, I had found myself in the unemployment line in August of 2009.

Sadly, I sometimes forget. I take my current position and livelihood for granted and at times need to be reminded. We all need reminders that at any moment, something could happen to put us in a position that we would rather not be in.

The story of Maurice Johnson, a 55-year-old down-on-his-luck Bostonian, reminded me how close we all are to an edge we don’t want to look down. His story also challenges the popular perception of homeless people by being an unemployed aerospace engineer with two Master’s degrees. If you can help a scientist-down-on-his-luck out… then please do so!