-Choosing quality Executive Search in a Wild, Wild East

Li Yue’s first week on the job had been testing. Her new employer, a well known international interior design firm, had failed to implement any form of orientation program, preferring to allow Li and another ‘newbie’ to simply “self learn”. A few days into the job, and already overwhelmed with her new responsibilities, Li’s motivation took a further hit when she was invited into the office of the finance manager.

“We can’t provide you with the conditions stipulated on the offer letter,” said the manager. “The head hunter told us you were American, and since now we know you are Chinese you don’t qualify for the family expatriate insurance. I’m sorry, but that’s our policy.”

-Creating Synergy in the Workplace

The nature of the workspace is shifting. Mobility, greater geographically dispersed teams, and an increased reliance on social networks means that collaborative spaces are more necessary than ever to spark the behaviour needed to create and foster informal relationships in the workplace. In order to create synergy, these effective spaces need to help flourish the informal relationships into an exchange of ideas. So how do we go about it?

-Using visuals in meetings to generate innovation

Nearly every company today is talking about innovation and how innovation will enable them to excel in the knowledge economy. Sadly, this still remains a slogan for many because these firms lack a proper methodology to tap into their innovative capabilities, that is, the creative minds of their very own people. However, some companies have started to use simple drawing skills in meetings and brainstorming sessions in order to better capture ideas and encourage creativity. In the industry we call this ‘visual thinking’.

-Fox Tales

Every month I receive e-mails from readers and make comments to discussions forums on LinkedIn. Last month I came across one discussion where a member of the HR group raised the issue of whether HR departments should send rejection letters to unsuccessful candidates. It was a hot debate, with over 40 comments for both ‘for’ and ‘against’, and because it is such a topical discussion I would like to bring the debate to the pages of Network HR.