Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Many moons ago, I spent considerable time in
Southern California.  Surfing is very big in that area and I made friends with a few surfers.  They have an interesting perspective on life to say the least.

I vividly remember a conversation one evening with one of the local surfers who had won some regional competitions and was regarded as one of the best athletes in San Diego.  He was imparting his “surfer wisdom” to me, helping me understand what it was like to master the art of catching a big wave.  I asked him if he was ever concerned about sharks, sharp coral reef, etc.  “No, man”, he replied.  He continued, “but I am always concerned about the second wave”. 

“Second Wave”, I asked.

“Yea, if you wipe out, you have to watch out for the next wave.  If you don’t watch what you are doing, that’s the one that can take you down.” he replied.  Then about a minute later, without any provocation, he stared at me and repeated his “sage” advice, “you gotta watch that second wave dude - that’s the one that’ll kill ya.”  An interesting conversation with an interesting guy.

So what does this have to do with anything -  everything actually.

Over the past year, your business has either gotten badly hit with the “first wave” (a tough economy), you are riding it out or just managing to stay afloat.  Regardless, it’s the “second wave” you will need to watch – top employees leaving some organizations in “waves”.  They will leave a number of poorly managed organizations when times get better and the job landscape changes significantly.  These employees are currently watching how their employers respond to the recession. Are their employers’ reactive and making poor decisions relative to the business and their workforce or are they being proactive and making the most out of a challenging situation?

Organizational choices made during the recession have far reaching implications down the road.  The smart organizations are trying to make all the right moves now, recognizing that in the not to distant future they will need their top talent to ride the next economic wave up.  Well run organizations will be positioned to make the most out of an economic upturn and be an attractive workplace for these top performing employees in exodus of poorly managed companies.

I really believe that one day many executives will look back at this period of time with regret – being reactive rather than being proactive and seizing the many opportunities to make the most of a challenging situation.  They are managing in fear, paralyzing themselves and their organizations.

Bold, decisive moves are needed now.  There is no better time.  Time is ticking and this economy will improve…and…when it does, the organizations staffed with top people are going to zoom ahead of their competition. They are getting ready right now. 

Riding the first wave is critical to being able to catch the second one.  My surfer friend would agree and would provide a patented  “nice ride dude” for riding the wave properly.

Surf’s up.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC

I recently sent a letter to Governor Strickland (still waiting for a response) requesting that the pay and benefits of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner be frozen as they seek election to the Ohio Senate (http://www.fisherforohio.com/and http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/).  Not sure about you, but I am tired of seeing my tax dollars wasted on politicians who continually campaign for their “next” job while supposedly working in their current elected office. 

If the Governor would grant this request, this would be a tax payers’ savings of nearly $200,000. Seems to me that that money could be used for much better purposes than paying people while they are conducting a job search. 

The recession does not bother me as much as the politicians…they helped us get into this economy and helping us stay here way too long.  C’mon Governor…answer my letter – I would love to know where you stand on this issue…even though I think I already know.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC

This week’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, brings to mind the concept of the “Luck of the Irish”.  You have also probably heard the saying, “It’s better to be lucky than smart.”  Not to be outdone, there are people who believe that “You make your own luck in life” and others who believe that “Some folks are just born lucky.”

Call it what you want, it’s a subject that conjures up positive thoughts.  Luck seems to be one of life’s special bonuses.  It’s fun, exciting and typically unexpected. 

We need a bit of luck these days spread across this wonderful land of ours.  There are lots of good people who have fallen on some very tough times.  As a country we will make it through these challenging times…we always do.

We all know a number of people who are out of work.  Good hard working people in transition through no fault of their own.  They will continue to work hard, but now looking for good work.  A little luck along the way will be helpful. 

Perhaps something you do today to help someone out in a tough spot will create some magic…some luck that is unexpected and makes a difference.  That pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can be created. Start it with you.  Help create some “luck” for someone else today.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Businesses have been absolutely battered with new legislation under the new administration.  With the introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) proposal, the hits just keep on coming!

Lots of people are scrambling on this one and there is much debate expected around this nasty piece of legislation.  The proposed Act itself appears to help no one except unions.  Fortunately many employers are being pretty proactive and trying to learn as much as they can if this car wreck passes.

Aside from the advice provided by legal counsel, there is no better way to defend against this Act if passed, than to provide an excellent place to work for your employees.  Employees who work for great workplaces won’t bother with the liberties provided through the EFCA – as their employers are already providing significantly more than any union representation can provide.  Employees at these workplaces will make the right choice by passing on unionization.  When they do this they find that they really remain free.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

A recent front page of a local, daily newspaper displayed a three-quarter page chart reflecting the downturn of the stock market since 2007. In the left column of the front page, were short stories of layoffs and general negative news.  Most surprising is that the weather highlight indicated “partly sunny” versus “partly cloudy – unusually upbeat for this newspaper.

Well today I am officially boycotting “Section A” of all newspapers and welcome you to join me in that mission.  The front page and much of the content contained in the first section of many newspapers does not do much to maintain consumer confidence and optimism. Negativity and sensationalism is Section A - nothing more, nothing less.  It is certainly not “fair and balanced” journalism.

So, if you still get the paper and feel like me, here is what you can do with a newspaper’s first section that is consistently overly negative:

1. Don’t read it…don’t ever read it.  You are not missing a thing.
2. If you have a fire place, use it with kindling to start your fires.  Nothing like seeing sensationalized, bad news go up in smoke.
3. Line kitty litter boxes with the Section, or use it to house train your new puppy.  It will be poop on poop.
4. Recycle it and the rest of the newspaper.  At least something good will come out of something bad.
5. Send it back to the Publisher and ask for a discount on your paper since Section A is not really news.

The daily newspapers in our land (and the evening news) batter their subscribers with bad news and delight in the words crisis and disaster.  What they don’t realize is that their industry is in a crisis because of the disaster they are printing in their newspapers’ first Section.