Articles 1 to 10 of 100
Managing Millennials in the Workplace
Millennials are invading the workplace. As "digital natives," they possess an invaluable sixth sense for using technology to interact with the world and to maximize a company's offerings. On the downside, they often expect organizations to adapt to and accommodate their needs. How can firms foster harmony between managers, many of whom are Generation Xers, and the up-and-coming Millennials? In their latest paper, “Millennials and the World of Work: An Organization and Management Perspective,” published in the June issue of the Journal of Business and Psychology, Andrea Hershatter, a senior lecturer in organization & management and the associate dean and director of the BBA program at Goizueta, and Molly Epstein, an associate professor in the practice of management communication, explore the challenges and opportunities of managing and motivating Millennials.
Author Daniel Pink on What Really Motivates us at Work
According to bestselling author Daniel H. Pink, a crunchier carrot and a sharper stick aren’t as effective in motivating employees as one might suspect. In his latest book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, he contends that “autonomy, mastery, and purpose” are the intrinsic motivators necessary for success in today’s complex business environment. Knowledge@Emory takes an in-depth look at Pink’s strategy for success.
Employers Grapple with Reform and the Costs of Unhealthy Employees
Even before the March 2010 passage of health care reform legislation by the U.S. Congress, business employers were grappling with rising insurance costs due in large part from workers with preventable health problems. According to several industry experts on a recent panel, “Health Care Reform and U.S. Business—A Diagnosis,” at Emory University’s second annual Tax Policy Symposium, health care poses a complex social challenge when employees fail to prioritize their health. Although new reforms will likely result in a season of "big headaches" where compliance is concerned, the need to engage workers and confront the issue of avoidable health problems—and their costs—will remain a long-term concern.
Harsh Critiques: Good TV, Not Good to Inspire Employee Performance
Most would agree that Simon Cowell, American Idol's caustic judge, isn’t the best role model for executives offering constructive criticism to their employees. But all too often, leaders are quick to emphasize the negative and sparingly dole out the positive. Exploring the topic, experts at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and the consultancy field offer their reflections on the most effective—and least helpful—ways to correct employee errors.
Why the Time is Right to Tap into C-Level Talent
Unemployment rates in the U.S. remain in the double-digits, increasing the availability of top C-level talent and their intellectual capital. According to experts at a panel discussion on "C-Level Skill Sourcing: New Alternatives" held at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, entrepreneurs can tap into this talent pool at a price far more affordable than hiring a full-time employee. In addition to the advantages of considerable expertise, says one panelist, "the Rolodex of these senior execs is far deeper than anything these founders can hope for.”
How to Leverage Opportunity in a Tough Economy
“Diversity isn’t just an HR program; it’s the right thing to do for business,” says Lora Villarreal, executive vice president and chief people officer of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), a global business process and information technology services company. Speaking as part of the fifth annual Diverse Leadership Conference held in November at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Villarreal and GLOBALT Investments president and CEO, William H. Roach, Jr., discussed the role of diversity in organizations and how to leverage opportunity to ensure career staying power in a tough economy.
Using the Power of Trust to Motivate Employees
With layoffs an all too common occurrence, managers are sometimes viewed as the Grinch. But the work still has to be done, so how can managers motivate their staff during difficult times? Professors at Emory University's Goizueta Business School note that building and keeping trust in an organization remains essential to motivating employees when a company is in the midst of economic tumult.
Strategies for Working Parents Who Want to Have it All
Too often, say the authors of the book Getting to 50/50: How Working Couples Can Have It All, married working women bear the brunt of familial responsibilities. That balancing act between work and home can certainly be stressful. Drawing from extensive social science research, authors Sharon Meers, a former managing director at Goldman Sachs, and Joanna Strober, a managing director for the Silicon Valley, California-based private equity firm Sterling Stamos Capital Management, note that when couples divide familial tasks and companies acknowledge the importance of family, all sides win.
Seeking Work? Why HR Recruiters Embrace Job Fairs
With the U.S. unemployment rate hovering at 9.4% for May, the steady stream of workers seeking jobs might make companies think twice about the need to attend job fairs. But the opposite is true, according to faculty at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and recruiters who attended a recent job fair sponsored by Goizueta's Alumni Career Services. “With so many people out of work, employers have a better candidate pool,” says Tom Smith, assistant professor in the practice of finance at Goizueta. Smith adds that attending a job fair can be less expensive for a company than posting an employment ad, and it offers another venue for companies to advertise themselves to jobseekers.
Why Honesty is Best Policy When Delivering Bad News
Whether it’s the recent announcement of yet more layoffs at Microsoft or word of the machinations to save bankrupt automaker Chrysler, corporate leaders are finding it hard to go a day without delivering bad news to their employees. According to management communication experts Emory University's Goizueta Business School, frankness and honesty about downsizing initiatives or pay cuts remains the best way to move a company forward in difficult times.
