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‘Flexible Rightsizing’

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Jill Schichter of Lexicon Canada presents at Trovo Resources
 
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a Jill Schichter education event, organized by our friends at Trovo Resources.
 
Jill’s presentation covered a number of things that must be done when ‘reductions’ are required at our workplaces.
 
Jill injected a great blend of thought, thoroughness, and people-sensitivity.
 
For me, 8 things resonated:
  1. Definitions: Jill provided a number of definitions, as examples she defined downsizing, rightsizing, and flexible rightsizing…expressing a preference for flexible rightsizing when that is possible.
  2. Make sure all decision makers are using the same measurements. Jill provided a Cost/Benefit template to help us capture all the facets that must be considered.
  3. For strategic workforce planning, build on your previous successes. [focus on the ‘bright lights’]
  4. Focus on the most critical high-impact jobs [the ‘80/20 Rule’ applies]
  5. Don’t underestimate the power of your employment brand. [news travels…so, we should make it good news]
  6. The most difficult job a manager does is letting a person go. [we must be sensitive to the people aspects]
  7. Related to all of the above, and particularly the human sensitivities tied to #6, Jill did a great job of answering the many questions posed by the attendees.
  8. Jill shared a fond memory from her time spent working with Stephen Covey [one of my favourite teachers]…Covey taught - the difference between a manager and a leader – “you manage things, you lead people”.
And, Jill explained - managers say “What are you doing?” while leaders say “How are you doing and how can I help?”
 
Thank you Jill for the excellent presentation.
 
And, thank you Tony, for the invitation and hospitality.
 
Email connections:
Jill Schichter, Lexicon Canada jschichter@rogers.com
Tony Pace, Trovo Resources Tony.Pace@TrovoResources.com