Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

In a few weeks we will be heading to the polls to vote on candidates and local, state and federal issues.  Given the fact that the presidential campaigns started a few years ago, November 4^th can’t arrive soon enough.

The whole election process is pretty amazing and at the same time so different than how most businesses search for top performers to hire.  If in fact our forefathers intended top performers to be elected into government leadership positions, the process in place may not be achieving their objective.

From an HR vantage point let’s try to put the election process into perspective.

What a country! – Can you imagine publicly seeking a new position while employed in your current job?  And, not only are you seeking a new opportunity but you plan on spending nearly 100% of your time “campaigning” for the new job expecting 100% of your pay from your current employer!  In contrast to how elected officials move up the government ranks, companies in the private sector actually expect their executives to work at their current job and be remunerated accordingly. 

No experience necessary – If you take the Presidential election as an example, none of the candidates have any experience as the President or Vice President of the United States. Unfortunately, we elect candidates on a variety of characteristics including their personality, image, oratory skills and party affiliation to name a few. Contrast that to an executive search in business - these searches entail significant effort locating top performers with real experience utilizing exacting requirements for specific qualifications.  Viable candidates must meet or exceed key criteria for open executive positions to be considered for the selection process.  Incidentally, an executive search for the U.S. President’s position would cost approximately $132,000 (33% of the President’s expected first year compensation).  I wonder what year it was when the Presidential election only cost $132,000.

Who are we to judge? – We (Americans) have been entrusted to make good and informed decisions when casting votes on Election Day.  Ironically, very few of us have any real knowledge of the day to day requirements and responsibilities for elected offices, especially the U.S. President.  We vote and hope for the best – this is a pretty scary scenario considering the stakes. In contrast, companies in the private sector put the odds in their favor of hiring a top performer by utilizing a streamlined and professional hiring process, with full knowledge of job responsibilities and performance expectations.  

You can’t ask that! – One of the hiring cornerstones of American business is compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits an employer from discriminating in the workplace on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.  Ironically, it seems that candidates for public office are judged and elected (or not elected) based upon these characteristics with little regard to the candidates’ actual qualifications.  If American businesses approached recruiting this way there would surely be state and federal punitive consequences for violating Title VII and unfairly discriminating against certain candidates.  And, beyond the importance of non-discriminatory hiring practices it would be just plain dumb to hire someone for any reason other than their qualifications to do the job.

You did what? Thanks to the media, candidates for public office and their families are subject to incredibly invasive background checks. The media does make it personal as do competing party members.  Fortunately, in the private sector, we do utilize civilized and appropriate approaches for background investigations.  These background checks are typically conducted by professional firms that seek job related information.  The information is kept confidential and is not utilized as a weapon of humiliation for employment candidates and their extended families.    

What makes them tick? Perhaps I missed it, but during my adult life I have never heard of a U.S. Presidential candidate being subject to a psychological assessment.  It would be nice to know the state of mind of the “most powerful person” in the world.  In stark contrast, most organizations in the private sector, routinely engage trained management psychologists to assess final candidates against previously established success profiles for open positions.

There are plenty of other comparisons one could make between the government elections and private sector executive selection.  The private sector approach to hiring may not always be perfect, but for the most part U.S. companies utilize a non-discriminatory blend of science and sensitivity to seek out and select top talent. And, much of the time it works pretty darn well.

Perhaps one day, our elected officials may open their eyes a bit and see that the laws of the land combined with private sector business savvy typically yields the high end results we so often hope from our government.  It would be a pipe dream to imagine the current election process for the highest government positions in our land to ever be reformed.  There is just too much money, power and control at stake.  To change the process though, would be one campaign worth supporting.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This has certainly been an interesting year.  The Presidential campaign, gasoline prices, Black Monday, Russian invasions and the continuance of the wars in the middle east to name a few.  It would be no wonder if the average American is a little dazed and confused.  Wow…2008 is not the year I thought it might be…it had so much promise.

I was watching CNN the other evening and they were illustrating on a chart, the expansion of the U.S. deficit with the so-called “bailout” to exceed $16 trillion.  The American public should be screaming.  The mess that has occurred over so many years is going to take a very long time to correct, even if the right measures are put into place. 

The deficit and the financial mess we are in are byproducts of a bigger problem in this country that has no signs of slowing down.  We are saddled with a leadership deficit, the likes of which may be the biggest in our nation’s history.   I think my generation blew it.  We had our chance.

I am hopeful that the upcoming generations look at the childish and gutless behaviors of our elected officials and corrupt CEOs and recognize that reform is a must.  It is not an option.  It’s going to take guts and determination.  But they will have their chance and here is one Boomer that is praying that my kids’ generation don’t follow our horrible lead. 

Shame on us.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Last week ERC recognized the NorthCoast 99 winners (www.northcoast99.org) at the annual awards dinner.  The 2008 winners represented organizations and industries throughout our region and share a common focus of attracting and retaining top performers. The theme of our event was Workplace Revolutions.  We believe that this past year and all previous 9 years that ERC has recognized great workplaces that winners revolutionize their workplaces – making small and large scale changes that differentiate their organization and most importantly make a difference in the lives of their employees.

We looked back over the past ten years of celebrating Northeast Ohio workplaces and recognize that much has been accomplished by these extraordinary organizations.  To put things in perspective, our NorthCoast 99 winners have made the following impact to our region:

• ten years of better than average salary increases for thousands of employees throughout Northeast Ohio.
• ten years of increasingly robust career development, mentorship, and safety programs for those employees.  
• ten years of enhanced employee benefits including wellness, financial, and retirement planning education; onsite convenience services, and support programs.  
• ten years of expanding workplace flexibility, telecommuting options, compressed workweeks, and the slow but steady extinction of traditional and punitive policies.  
• ten years of increasingly open communication about company and individual performance and greater opportunities for employees to provide input into how to make those companies more successful.  
• ten years of leaders taking more active roles in interacting with all employees, recognizing performance, and participating in and promoting service and social responsibility efforts, and  
• ten years of an ever sharpening focus on the importance of attracting and retaining top talent in Northeast Ohio.

It means increasing opportunity.  It means showcasing our region as a great place to live and work.  It means new jobs – well over 100,000 – and that’s just in the last 5 years.

There is no better way to lead, than to lead by example.  NorthCoast 99 winners are doing just that.  Their ideas and actions in many ways are revolutionary.  It takes guts, innovation and a belief that creating great workplaces for top performers is the catalyst for organizational success. 

This is one revolution against the status quo that is worth fighting.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

As we trudge through the rhetoric, name calling and media hype of the Presidential campaign, it occurred to me that most of us who plan to vote have very little criteria upon which to make our decision.  As with prior elections, the candidates are hopeful that we vote for them based upon factors that have very little to do with actually performing the President’s job.  The selection process for most elected offices, including the President of the United States, is quite unlike anything used in the private sector.  We (the private sector) utilize job descriptions, rigorous interviews, psychological assessments and background investigations as tools to improve the odds of selecting the best candidate.  

Going one step further, can you imagine the results we would achieve with the U.S. President’s position if an executive search firm was retained to identify and help select qualified candidates for the position?  Incidentally, based upon the President’s annual compensation of $400,000 the search fee would be a paltry $132,000 compared to the hundred of millions spent on the modern day two party campaigns.  Imagine if you had the responsibility of recruiting for the position on the open job market!

Well, we did…and to help you better imagine the challenge it would be to recruit for the next U.S. President (based on what we know of the qualifications necessary to get elected) we thought it would be fun to present you with the following draft “job description” for the position.

As someone once said…if it wasn’t true it would actually be funny. 

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Northeast Ohiojust enjoyed another spectacular Labor Day weekend relative to the weather.  In stark contrast our fellow Americans in the south were bracing for Gustav and Hanna.

We might have a few snowstorms and a bit of wicked weather at times, but we are certainly blessed with moderate weather throughout the year.  On top of that we have the good fortune of the change of seasons. 

Maybe it is time that we promote our good weather and four seasons to potential out-of-town employment candidates and companies, instead of making apologies.  Sure, we have our fair share of cloudy skies but those clouds never send us evacuating entire municipalities, or cause us concern for loss of life.

It is hard to imagine the hardships that the good people of New Orleans and the surrounding regions have endured and are enduring.  I know that our collective hearts reach out to them – and I am sure that donations and volunteerism from Northeast Ohio will soon follow to help those in need.

So as we near the winter months, just remember that we have it pretty darn good.  And…that’s no snow job.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

With a new school season upon us, I recall with some trepidation my school years.  When I was in elementary school (a very long time ago), “New Math” was introduced.  Looking back now, it was a pretty funny label as it was New Math for my parents but not for us kids – we had no reference point as we were never exposed to the old math.  New or old, the numbers are the numbers and none of it was particularly easy for me, especially in my high school years when I took Pre-Calculus (yuk).

There are two "campaigns" going on right now that also use a new form of Math:

• The Cleveland Plus campaign emerged, some time ago, as what looked like just another spin on the same old initiative…how to reflect a positive image of our region to residents and outsiders.  What differentiates this campaign is that it appears to be well funded with a smart and creative staff.  Slowly but surely they are making some noise and waking up the community to the positive attributes of Northeast Ohio (www.clevelandplus.com).  There is real interest in the positive news of Northeast Ohio. In fact, ERC’s own version of a regional resource listing www.neoisgreat.com, totaled over 8,000 visitors in July!  The Cleveland Plus campaign is a testament that when people work together across communities 2 + 2 can equal 5!
• On the other hand, in a recent report by Joe Guillen of the Plain Dealer, “Electing somebody to represent the 11th Congressional District for about two months will cost Ohio taxpayers as much as $5.5 million. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections must stage two votes - a primary and a general election, each costing up to $2.75 million - to replace the late U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, even though the winner probably will never cast a vote this year. The interim replacement for Tubbs Jones, who died last Wednesday, probably will not be elected until November. The term expires at the end of December. No House votes are scheduled after Sept. 26.”  I am not sure you caught this front page news story last week but my head just about popped off when I read the article.  It’s amazing to me how our state and federal governments can come up with (our) money so quickly! And, in this case money that will be spent for a position that will have virtually no meaningful impact for a few months. Let’s get responsible here Governor – no interim election – please do not spend our $5.5 million dollars needlessly!

In the campaigns highlighted above, the numbers just don’t add up.  Yet, the Cleveland Plus campaign would get an A+ for effort by my former school teachers because the sum of their efforts provides an extraordinary answer. On the other hand, the special election for the 11^th congressional district interim position is not even worthy of a grade - this is one that the parents need to be called in as the student is once again misbehaving.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Saturday a young man stopped at our house to encourage support for a candidate running for the State legislature. The name of the candidate is unimportant as is his party affiliation.  What is important is the conversation that I had with the young man at our doorstep.

The conversation went something like this:

Volunteer:  "Good afternoon sir.  I am a volunteer who is going door to door encouraging people to consider (name) for State office."

Pat: "Thank you for stopping by...can I ask you why you are supporting (name)"

Volunteer: "Sure.  He lives in Mentor and he is a really good guy.  I really like what he believes in."

Pat: "Can I ask you a few questions about your candidate?"

Volunteer: "Sure, fire away"

Pat: "What is his position on the war in Iraq?"

Volunteer: "You know...I don't know.  That is a good question.  Let me write that one down."

Pat: "Do you know if your candidate supports the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act?"

Volunteer: "Gosh...I am embarrassed...I know about the proposal, but I really don't know where he stands on the issue."

Pat: "Let's try one more.

Volunteer: "OK...incidentally, I'm really sorry I don't know the answers to these other questions...but I will find out"

Pat: "No problem...I was just curious where your candidate stood on some of the bigger issues of the day.  So how about gambling in Ohio...where does your candidate stand on this one"

Volunteer: "I don't know....I have to tell you that you are the first one on your block to ask me any of these questions.  Most people just listen to me, smile, nod their head, take my flyer and then close the door.  I appreciate you asking me these questions."

Pat: "Really? Do I win a prize? I'm just kidding.  Please feel free to have (name) call me direct.  I would love to know his position on some of these issues in addition to the Workers' Comp System in Ohio, the tax structure for individuals and businesses in Ohio and what he plans to do to impact the movement of new companies into our State.

Volunteer: "I will have him give you a call.  Thanks"

The conversation was pretty close to that...what is most disturbing to me was that this young man was representing a candidate that he apparently knew little about. 

In a few months, candidates will be shoving their signs into yards, showing up at Labor Day parades throwing out candy and for higher offices taking advantage of every media opportunity possible.  Many of the candidates will be smiling, kissing babies and doing their best to impugn the reputation of their political opponent.  The mud slinging and name calling will begin with little to be said about the real issues and possible solutions. 

We can point our fingers at some of the politicians who get into trouble, misuse tax money and lie to the public...but remember one thing...the majority voted these folks into office based upon a lot of nothing.  So what do you really expect when they are in office?

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Four unrelated incidents happened in the past few weeks that caught my attention.

• Unauthorized and "careless" smoking by a crew member caused $70 million in damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington,
• Last week the Green Bay Packers announced that they were preparing a deal that would pay Quarterback Brett Favre $20 million not to play football and to stay retired (since the story broke, Mr. Favre is now reporting back to camp to play football),
• Last Wednesday I observed President Bush's motorcade heading east on Route 2 surrounded by an incredible arsenal of state troopers, emergency vehicles, etc., and
• After President Bush's speech at an east side organization he attended a $25,000 per plate fundraiser in Gates Mills ($35,000 if you wanted your picture with the President).

If these were the only headlines over the past few weeks you would never know that we might be in some tough economic times.  After I heard the Brett Favre story I was close to resigning my position and then asking the ERC Board to pay me not to come back to work.  But, this is the real world and I figured that our Board would not see this as a prudent business decision.

I know that we need to get the USS Washington repaired but it is always interesting to me how quickly our country can pay for some things (like war) but struggle to figure out how to fund education, feeding the homeless, etc.

This is not a partisan comment at all, but I really could care less if Mr. Bush or any other President comes to visit us.  They tie up traffic, cost us lots and lots of money - and for 99% of us the visits do not impact our lives at all. 

How cool would it be if we could take people who are willing to plunk down $25k to break bread with the President and have that same fund raiser for our local schools, eroding bridges, food banks, etc.  And, another $10k to take a picture with the person or family or institution actually helped with the money.

Maybe it's time to take a reality check here folks.  Most people are struggling to get by on their paychecks these days.  We are at war, jobs are tough, crime and unemployment are on the uptick and we still have folks, including some people at all levels of our governments watching Rome burn.  It's time to tighten the belts, make some sacrifices and pull together as a team.  Otherwise you end up like the State of Ohio now paying for years of neglect, misuse of tax dollars, a broken workers' comp system and an unemployment system nearly broke.

But I guess in the end, if the mindless spending continues we can all resort to the solution recently instituted by Ohio - Keno.

Sleep tight.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Several weeks ago we took the kids up to the Sandusky area.  A friend of ours let us use his house on the lake for our stay.  It was a great getaway - so much so that we rarely looked at a clock, did not watch any television or see a newspaper.  We really felt removed and boy did it feel great.  Then it hits you like a "lead balloon" when you arrive back home - negative, sensationalized news at every corner...radio, TV and newspapers.  Even with just a few days away from all this junk you realize upon being reengaged how much negativity permeates the media.

The big news this week of course is the FBI raids of County officials' homes and various businesses.  No indictments yet, but you know that when the FBI pulls up a few U-Hauls arrests are not far behind.  Just another wonderful bit of news to add to the apparent erosion of our local community.  That story of course is followed by stories of murders, arson, robberies, etc. - all to the point that it is really not "new" news...just a replay of what happened yesterday and the day before and the day before - just different people are involved.

Funny, that each of the local stations desperate for ratings goes to all sorts of lengths to be the first at the murder scene and/or video tape the fire and other tragic events.   They all tout their Doppler radars yet give the exact same forecast and show us all the same clouds.  I wonder how their ratings really are.   Seinfeld re-runs are so much better than all the negative stuff - the only thing funny about the local news is that the anchors actually think they are celebrities of some sort because they can read Teleprompters and can half-act that they care about the hundreds of tragedies they report on each year.   

I think we are really entering a new day and age, particularly with Gen X and Y folks coming up the ranks.  People that I know are sick and tired of the old, negative and orchestrated newscasts.  They don't watch and neither do I (except for the sports).  How cool would it be if one of the local stations actually took a risk and reported only good news and special interest stories for one week.  No bad stuff...at all.  There is no lack of positive news in our community and it goes under or unreported.

I'll bet you that the "good news of a week" experiment works - the ratings would probably go through the roof.  Then the anchors fake smiles and silly laughter could actually be genuine. 

They say that what is on the news hour is what we want - I don't believe that for a minute.  If that's true, we are in a heap of trouble and that would be truly bad news for our community.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Monday, ERC held the first of several programs dedicated to the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act that will be placed on the November Ballot.  Attorney Brian Kelly from Frantz Ward, LLP provided an outstanding presentation to a sold out event.  I have never seen so many questions regarding a proposed initiative...and unfortunately the way the proposed Act is written, many of the questions remain unanswered.  If the proposal is passed the details of the new Act would be hammered out by the Department of Commerce (heaven help us!!).

As I listened to the presentation and the questions about the proposed Act, I became pretty angry at our State of Ohio legislators who failed to act on this proposal earlier in the year - if they would have voted this down like they should have; this proposed Act would not be appearing on the ballot.  My guess is that they "chickened" out given the expected backlash of the unions next time our beloved legislators were up for reelection. 

When you look at the amount of government involvement in our businesses these days it is mind-boggling.  The costs of legislated paperwork, red tape and legal fees is astronomical and making business owners think twice about staying in Ohio and in some cases staying in business.  What a shame...

The lack of leadership in government at all levels, the buffoonery occurring in the Presidential election and political posturing keep on going while good businesses start getting hurt big time.  At some point, there is going to be a collective "we're mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore" for business leaders.  Our politicians better wake up, re-read the State and Federal constitution and get back to the basics of basic governance.

The latest round of stupidity called the Ohio Healthy Families Act is just another strain of a disease called poor leadership that is leaving an awful lot of people sick.

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If you are interested in learning more about the proposed Act, register for ERC's September 23^rd program.  We also encourage you to check out http://www.ohiobusinessvotes.org/mandates08/home.htm