Human Resources

The 9 Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses in 2025
The following is strictly commentary. The comments made here are mine and mine alone, and in no part are related to The Free Management Library. Powerful corporations taking advantage the general population seems to be the stereotype, doesn’t it? Are, we, trainers, helping them do that? I know this sounds somewhat sacrilegious, since I, too, …
Employee incentives play a vital role in boosting motivation, increasing engagement, and improving retention within the workplace. A well-designed incentive program shows employees their contributions are valued, fostering loyalty and productivity. These programs can address various needs, from financial rewards to personal growth opportunities.  Incentives fall into three major categories: monetary (e.g., bonuses, raises), non-monetary …
There’s a lot that goes into job hunting these days. It can often feel overwhelming – among other things, you’ll need a pristine resume that showcases your skills and accomplishments, a cover letter that describes your interest in a specific position, and an updated LinkedIn profile. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll need to think about …

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During the past twenty years, the landscape of communication has changed. It seems that everyone has a cell phone and a portable internet-enabled device. These devices have been great business tools that have allowed us to get answers quicker and keep informed of important events and news. They have also facilitated the globalization of business and helped us keep track of kids. There are many positive things that have resulted in development of these products.
You get a resignation notice from a top performing manager. You weren't prepared. You have been talking about succession planning, but other priorities got in the way. Now you have the notice. So what do you? This is an important role and will be key to the future success of the company. Knowing the spot can't go vacant, you take a look at the team and offer the position to the top performer. The top performer tells you he's not ready. You know that he will be fine. You tell him that, hand him a set of keys and get busy on those other priorities.
Human Resource professionals are often given the task to create performance management systems. One would expect these systems should focus on the individual and organizational performance needed to achieve the organization's targets and goals. However, it seems that often times these systems are counter-productive and result in anything but higher levels of achievement consistently and across all areas of the organization.
From time to time most teams experience a falling out among team members. If not quickly resolved this can have a significant impact not just on the people in dispute but also on their colleagues. Here are a few thoughts to help your team to deal with the discord:
Continual learning is essential for survival in the workplace-instruction in the form of training is not. For workers who are already able to do what is expected of them, but are not performing to expectations, training is not the answer." Robert F Mager as quoted in the ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals p. 173
I was approached recently to train medical staff how to give patients and family members bad news. I asked why this consortium of trainers thought I was a good choice for this. The answer: because I was an actor. I knew how to be someone else. Did I leave my body and my feelings behind? …
Tom in The Glass Menagerie wants to know how the magician or anyone can “find a way out of a coffin that is nailed shut without removing one nail,” or you could say how to find “a way up the slippery slope.” Work and work relationships can do more harm than good. This is one …