Week 4 Learnings of Human Resource

I really liked the subject matter of "downsizing."  The question was brought up, "Is downsizing the best thing for a company if the economy is struggling?"  I thought there was only one option in downsizing:  to cut people completely.  Apparently, this isn't the case.  There are many things that you can do to satisfy the needs of cutting finances and still keep good morale in the workplace.  Here are a few:

• Cut hours for all employees
• Offer early retirement
• Offer employee volunteer layoff
• Cut least popular products

Another thing that I really enjoyed was listening to the 

HR Director for Utah.  He had a really good stage presence and he really was able to clarify a lot of things about HR.  

In the hiring realm, he was able to clarify aspects for me.  Companies more and more today are hiring for attitudes and teaching the necessary knowledge after that.  He explained that attitude, desire, and personality is something that you cannot teach.  Even Google, one of the fastest growing companies, is hiring for attitude now as well.

After a company hires a person it is so important for them to start out on the right foot and understand the vision of the company and where it desires to go and put the employees in context.  Here are a few other things that were mentioned:

• Encourage high performance and appropriate behaviors
• Explain compensation plan
• Make them feel like the company is investing in them...they'll give more back 

Investing in your employees

Week 3 Learnings of Human Resource

This week was a great one in talking about a lot of different things in Human Resource Management.

With the economy the way it is there are a lot of downsizing and shifting of businesses to try to stay on top of things, but yet still progress.  I learned a lot this week about how downsizing and laying people off isn't always the best thing to do.  There have been many instances that companies lay a person off, and later realize that that specific person had singular ties in very important industries that couldn't be opened without their help.

Many companies are much like this above family, and after they "let you go" they realize that they miss you too much, so they invite you back and end of paying you more than before.

Another thing that I really enjoyed learning this week was how companies are turning their sites more and more interactive so that the general public can know more about it without even coming in their doors.  

Nowadays companies are spending a lot of their interactive energies towards facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.  These have been a huge asset to them to deal personally with people at a touch of a button.

I have strived to make the businesses that I have been in more and more interactive so that people feel a part of the experience.  I know that as people walk away from a place feeling that they are leaving an experience than they'll be sure to return.

Week 2 Learnings of Human Resource

There were a few interesting things that have happened this week.  I personally was more emotionally attached to the subject matter discussed last week, but this week brought up some interesting topics as well.
Some of the topics that I will discuss will be Diversity, Bonified Occupational Qualification (BFOQ), and our guest speaker, Kelly Brimhall, who is the main HR person for Timpanogas Hospital.

Diversity has been a topic that has stuck in my mind because that's the topic I chose for class discussion.  I have the opportunity to live around the country on the west, east, and south part of the USA.  I have seen the talents and downfalls of many different cultures, but the positives are the ones that stick with me most.  This past summer I was able to work with some very diverse people.  My co-workers had very different backgrounds and it was very apparent when their thoughts and opinions came to the surface.  The business meetings that we would include very diverse opinions and very good thoughts ranging from a very large spectrum.  This extreme range of ideas have been very successful for the business.

Diversity can be a very positive thing if people understand the mentality and culture of others.  I have really enjoyed having a diverse range in the businesses that I have been apart of.

The world unites when diversity is accepted

Bonified Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) is a positive asset for businesses that deal with a lot of diverse people.  BFOQ is criteria that a business can put into a job qualification to prevent from hiring unwanted types of people.
The BFOQ is something that really helps when you are hiring.  You can list your guidelines for what the job description is whether the person needs to be able to lift 100 lbs. or not be using a wheelchair, or if you need a female secretary for some reason.  The BFOQ will protect you from the law against discrimination problems against any person that may feel that they were misunderstood during the interview period.

Lastly, today we heard from Kelly Brimhall, HR Director for Timpanogas Hospital.  He related some interesting stories about his HR experiences and they seemed rather shocking and comical.  He graduated with a Business degree and went on to receive a MBA with an emphasis in Human Relations. He is the one that discussed a lot about the BFOQ and how to use it the correct way.  I don't think I would mind working with people and helping them achieve success in their specific area of expertise!
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Week 1 Learnings of Human Resource

This week was an interesting one.  I've never had the opportunity to be in a Human Resource course in school and wasn't sure what to expect when entering.   I have really enjoyed working with people and interacting with them through work experiences.  Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised after the first week.  In these weekly posts, I will be discussing what I've learned within the past week's experience.

Frog in a well:  If there was a frog in a well how would his vision and life be impaired??  He may only know of the small world around him and unless there was larger specie, he would probably be the top of the food chain.  If you were that frog, how long would you be able to sit in the well without atleast wondering or pondering on what the outside world held??   In fact, many of us in life are like this frog in the well, we don't think outside the box, outside our zone of life, outside ourselves, and in this mindset.......we never escape the well!!

How can I get out of this freakin' well??

As I was sitting in class listening to the story, I kept thinking...."why doesn't that flippin' frog just doesn't jump in the bucket and get out of the well???!!!"  Sometimes I don't understand how people can be in instances such as that and not fight to get out, or think that life could open into a new and different world.

Probably my favorite discussion of the week was about the world famous Pike Place Fish Store in Seattle, WA.  I took some points out of that that will impact my life forever.......if I choose to put them into my life.  Here are the majority of the steps of creating a world famous business:

• Let's be world famous!!
• It took awhile
• Committed to the purpose
• producing outrageous results
• We have responsibility-Coaching=empowering someone to do something better with a great attitude
• Anything's possible
• People aren't numbers

Fishes are flyin' at Pike's Place

"Let's Be World Famous!!"