Competing Values

Retaining employees

There is a movement in some Asian countries to encourage firms to be more family friendly, but it highlights a sharp conflict between two key elements of many cultures in the region: – a strong work ethic that places a premium on professional success – close family ties and a commitment to caring for family […]

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Whose Culture?

As Asian companies look to grow, their path usually takes them to other countries. In Southeast Asia this has taken on new importance as the ASEAN Economic Community has come into existence. When you are looking at operating internationally, the conventional wisdom is to be sensitive to the local culture and try to adapt your […]

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Put Responsibility Where It Belongs

Calling customers to stay in touch

You can delegate authority. You cannot delegate responsibility. What’s the difference? Well, authority is what someone can do. Responsibility is what they have to do. Typically, they go together. If you are given the power to do something, then you have the responsibility for getting it done right. Likewise, if you are responsible for getting […]

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Get Them Talking

Workers in repetitive industries may need less feedback than employees in creative industries do. Assembly line workers or bureaucrats who do the same thing over and over may not need to be told “yes, you’re doing it right…just like you did yesterday, and the day before, and the year before.” But creative employees, by the […]

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Generational Diversity Keeps Evolving

Retaining employees

Age is just a number, but today’s workforce has a wide range of numbers, and it’s only going to get wider. Right now we have 4 generations in the workplace. The Millennials are still pouring in, and Gen X continues to rise into leadership positions (and, in many cases, spent the last decade starting their […]

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