Skip to content
While reading an article in Jon’s Carnival of HR,”Carnevale delle Risorse Umane: 18 February 2009” I realized how seriously the HR domain has been affected by recession.
After all, it is the HR department that is tasked with the thankless job of laying off people, because businesses can no longer afford to pay them. Employees that are suddenly laid off blame HR, even though most HR managers will not be at fault. The same HR department that used to be very much in demand during a flourishing economy is now suddenly considered to be the bad guy making plans and strategies to lay off people. Additionally , HR has also been ordered to trim salary packages, incentives and benefits, making life tougher for those who are fortunate enough to remain employed.
Although the current atmosphere cannot be helped, I feel that the recession will not last long and we will all emerge better from it. Here are the thoughts I use to remain positive during this time:
Hope 1: Determination of leadership
There is a very strong determination among the political and business leadership to end the recession and minimize its effects in any way possible. This determination to find ways out of the recession and move into a new era may be the beginning of a whole new global environment.
Hope 2: New thoughts on management
Past and current failures have already triggered new thoughts and ideas to improve existing business practices. New ideas to bring better management practices, more financial transparency, more control over plans and strategies and improving global business culture will probably result from this current mess.
Hope 3: Emergence of new leaders and think tanks
The sudden recession has given an opportunity to those with innovative ideas (as nobody considered these ideas when the economy flourished) to emerge out of their shell. Not only is there a shift in economic centers, there is a shift in the power of various thought schools. Those who championed unrestrained freedom have stumbled and those calling for a controlled and consistent growth are emerging as the new drivers of change.
Hope 4: History of men
If you think recession is a big accident, think about the damage done by the two world wars, epidemics, the great depression, and so on. You will find that the recession is merely a small hurdle in the economic wheel. There are companies that are still hiring. Ask recruiters, they are still unable to meet their goals. Hence, in a year or two this too shall pass.
Hope 5: New developments in technology
The major difference between different human eras has been technology. When the wheel was invented, long distances became short. Invention of steam engine and ships shortened the distance between continents. With each technological advance human society could meet specific challenges that they faced. In the HR Domain, technology is developing at a pace like never before. And leaders know that new performance improvement tools can make a big difference in meeting new challenges.
So there is really no reason to waste. It’s time to stand up, shake off lethargy and start reaching for our goals once again. .
Look forward to learning your thoughts on some of the ways HR can survive this recession.
Good article! Excellent work. I read to all comments. I agree all of you. Thanks for sharing this blog.
I have always believed in the autonomy of stores in the chain, relying on the expertise of the local managers to do right for the company as a whole.
Businesses will outsource their payroll function to businesses which specialize in payroll, allowing you more time to focus on your main service.
I will be back here once again.I like this blog 🙂
Thank you Sir, for this valuable information. This article will really help us.
Thanks and Regards,
Gajanan Patil
Great post, I agree. I think a great addition that might help others would be learning how to outsource. It’s really helped my business. I found a free outsourcing mini coarse and I learned a lot from it. It’s amazing what you can do when you can hire someone for $4 per hour to help you run your business. outsourcing strategies
This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone……….
Job Description
The best thing that a company can do in this time of recession is give back to its clients the time and financial resources that would normally be spent in recruitment, training and retaining professionals.
Having the confidence and trust that what you wish for will be fulfilled is a definition of hope.
When we hope for something, it matters not that there are good reasons or justification for attaining our manifestation. Having a hopeful manner is more than an attitude or belief. It is the purpose, process and spiritual energy that drives us forward toward “connecting the dots” and living a passionate life, in good times or bad.
Hope is different from optimism which is a generalized expectancy that good things will happen. Hope is something that can be taught and developed through participating in positive conversations and reading self-help books followed by taking positive action steps with the assistance of a supporting coach, mentors and a like-minded support group.
This much seems certain: People can take control of certain actions that will make them happier for a time, such as setting appropriate goals. They can add gratitude, hope, and a dose of self-control to each working day. And it’s clear that happy bosses perform measurably better, building productive teams and inspiring loyalty.
Hope is your pathway to get what you want, and the motivation and strength to follow that path. A higher degree of hope creates a higher satisfaction in the life you choose to live.