7 Best Practices if You Face Laying-off Employees, Seattle Business Coach Terry Corbell

March 25, 2012 - PRLog -- As a matter of principle, Seattle business coach Terry Corbell says laying-off workers should be a last resort, but if you must, he recommends seven best practices. He says it’s important to lay a foundation for long-term business success.

“In an uncertain economy, businesses typically make two short-sighted errors,” says the business-performance consultant (http://www.bizcoachinfo.com). “They slash the workforce and marketing investments.”

To the contrary, says the profit professional, it’s important to place a maximum value on your human capital and avoid layoffs, and to expand marketing.

“But if it’s too late and profits are slim or none and you must lay off employees, be mindful of the impact on your organization’s culture and employee morale,” warns Mr. Corbell. “Employee cutbacks will not solve the long-term problems of your company."

Strategic planning is important, including seven steps:

Step No. 1 - Document your situation. Layoffs devastate the unemployed person and the people who are left behind. Workforce reductions can also hurt you and your company legally if they’re not documented properly. Unfortunately, you can always face possible legal action in this litigious environment.

So have a paper trail that shows you don’t discriminate and demonstrates layoffs are necessary to keep your business operating. Avoid the management lawsuit trap to protect against EEOC discrimination suits from your business practices.

Step No. 2 - Show empathy. While financial woes or layoffs will depress you, employees look to you for leadership. Show empathy in your layoffs to show your approach is humane. For the remaining employees, make sure to take steps for strong team morale and to avoid employee burnout. Such employees aren’t happy about losing their friends and facing an increased workload. Know the right strategies to take if a valued employee wants a raise and money’s tight.

You’ll have to perform at a higher level – being mindful of their stressing concerns. Employees don’t want a boss with a negative attitude, such as “Be happy you still have a job.” They’ll quit you at the earliest opportunity. So know which employees are most-likely to quit.

Step No. 3 - Evaluate operations and procedures. Listen to your employees – seek ideas – partner with your employees. Review your systems. Look for obstacles to success, and their solutions.  

Step No. 4 - Prepare to invest. Your bleak situation is not permanent. Remember this axiom: “This, too, shall pass.” So constantly be mindful of marketplace and internal-company developments. Be prepared to act – add your resources – if the return on investment can be justified. That’s especially true for your workforce, marketing and technology. You’ll know when the time is right to act.

Step No. 5 - Fine-tune your staff. Employee training should never end. Make sure there are no underperformers – weak links. Yes, such investments can be affordable or free – if you strategize. Avoid the typical 12 errors in evaluations.

Continually look for prospective employees. If you can hire a new employee or replace one, look for someone who represents an improvement for your organization.  

Step No. 6 - Check how employees perceive you as a boss. What are your tendencies in stressful situations? Are you a motivator? Are you organized? Do you know the 18 leadership strategies to profit from employee respect? (See: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/archives/1996.)

Step No. 7 - Improve your culture. If your company is lacking in teamwork, morale is poor and profits are weak, chances are you need to change your organization’s culture. Be forewarned, changing a culture is a monumental chore because it will take strategic planning and super powers of persuasion.

Usually, it necessitates an outside participant to assess your culture. Take six steps to implement a cultural change for profits. (See: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/archives/8265.)

As The Biz Coach, Mr. Corbell’s portal (www.bizcoachinfo.com) provides proven solutions for maximum profits in Planning, Operations, Marketing/Sales, Finance, Technology, Public Policy, Human Resources, and Wall Street.

Plus, it has informative news videos: World, U.S., Economy, Markets, Health and Sports.

All columns and videos are free.

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Seattle Biz Coach Terry Corbell is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. He publishes performance-enhancing strategies at The Biz Coach: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com, Proven Solutions for Maximum Profits.