2010 has been a challenging year for most of us, employers and job seekers alike. Opportunities for employment have been scarce, and those opportunities that did arise have taken on new forms. It has been and will continue to be a learning process for everyone involved.
That's where we come in! For the past year and a half we have been giving you insight into the latest workforce developments and the knowledge and guidelines to help you optimize your talent supply chains and workforces.
So what discussions have you found most valuable this year? Check out the top five blog posts of 2010:
5. Hiring temporaries is a bad thing? We've been projecting, and companies are now confirming, that temporary workers are going to play a bigger role in the workforce in the coming year. A major key to success, however, will be overcoming the stigma associated with this category of worker.
4. Ryan, the temporary staff member. Who doesn't love "The Office?" While most workers can probably relate to at least some aspect of the show, if you're a manager and want your company to be successful, you probably shouldn't imitate Michael Scott too much, especially when managing your temporary workforce. Engage temporary workers, have succession plans in place, and inventory their skill sets to optimize workforce performance.
3. Podcast: Ford Motor Company's Scott Monty on social media, corporate branding, and succession planning. In an interview with Joel Capperella, Scott Monty, one of the most well-recognized B2C social media practitioners discusses the impact that social media and digital communications have had on the workforce, and offers guidelines to employees on how to develop their personal brands as well as represent the corporate brand.
2. Recession to Succession: The importance of investing in employee engagement (part 3). In the final installment of the "Recession to Succession" series, Jesse O'Hayon warns against what can happen when employees who survived the layoffs are burdened with the work and responsibilities of multiple people for too long. To combat employee disengagement and dissatisfaction, he suggests surveying workers about what motivates them, and most importantly listening and responding to what they have to say.
And the most popular post in 2010:
1. The Jan Brewer brain freeze -- drawing a blank during an interview. Early this fall, Arizona governor Jan Brewer made headlines (and punchlines) with her on-air interview implosion. Recruiting Ruminations writer Mindy Fineout responded, offering advice to job candidates who might be prone to that deer-in-the-headlights-type brain freeze. Mindy says it's OK to take your time when answering a question, and also to take notes. And if you find yourself faced with a question you don't like or want to answer, do like the politicians and delicately answer the question you wished you had asked instead.
Thanks for your readership and support this year! 2011 will come with a new set of challenges, and we plan to continue bringing you the intelligent discussion and advice that will help you navigate the murky waters of economic and workforce recovery.
Happy New Year!
