Management Tip of the Day: What You Can Do To Prevent Layoffs

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile NOVEMBER 30, 2012 What You Can Do To Prevent Layoffs Are layoffs just a fact of life? Or are they avoidable? Sure, few managers have a say in whether their company will lay off employees, but there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood: Watch out for complexity. Organizations have a tendency to grow, adding unnecessary layers, positions, and locations. Whenever possible, advocate for keeping things structurally simple. Phase out products and services. Outdated products and services can eat up costs and require expensive infrastructure. Eliminate the ones that have outlived their value. Concentrate on the future. Focusing on short-term revenues can build up costs (and people) that provide results today but cannot be sustained in the long-term. Don't just invest in current operations. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "You Can Prevent Layoffs" by Ron Ashkenas. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Working Capital Simulation: Managing Growth Online Tools Often managers, especially entrepreneurs, focus excessively on the income statement and, in the process, ignore the balance sheet and statement of cash flows. Acting as the CEO of a small company called Sunflower Nutraceuticals, this single-player simulation lets you practice investing in growth and cash-flow improvement opportunities in three phases over 10 simulated years. Each opportunity has a unique financial profile and you must analyze effects on working capital. Six month single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Keep Your To-Do List Fresh with the 3-Day Rule Delegate, Delegate, Delegate Don't Waste Your Organization's Anniversary Turn a Relationship Into a Sale Use Sound Bites to Make Your Presentation Stick Ask These 3 Questions Before Joining that Start-Up Energize Your Network New Job? Only Make the Sacrifices You Want To Keep Your Team Small A Better Way to Brainstorm in Groups All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)

How Innovative Companies Get That Way

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to see it in a web browser. HOW INNOVATIVE COMPANIES GET THAT WAY For a limited time, order the 4 volume Clayton Christensen Innovation Collection for only $69*. That's 35% off the individual component prices. You don't need an organization of innovative people to build an innovative organization. You do need Harvard Business School professor and internationally-acclaimed disruptive innovation expert Clayton Christensen. Clayton Christensen's 4 volume Innovation Collection is a must-have for any corporate leader or strategist charged with transforming a company into an innovation-centric organization. You'll be fascinated by the stories of innovation successes and failures in the Clayton Christensen Innovation Collection and more importantly, you'll be able to put Christensen's advice and guidance into immediate action. There is no better resource for leaders and strategists who must compete and win in today's Innovation Economy. This collection is yours for only $69*. That's a savings of more than 35% off the individual items! ORDER NOW Only $69* Product #9003BN Special Collection This specially priced collection includes: The Innovator's DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators (Hardcover) A practical how-to that teaches the five best practices of modern day innovators that have truly disrupted their industries. The volume includes real life examples from Apple, Amazon, Skype and Virgin Group – showing first-hand how some of the greatest innovators of our times put the Five Skills into practice. The Innovator's Solution: Creating and Sustaining Successful Growth (Hardcover) In this volume, Christensen and co-author Michael E. Raynor discuss the basic processes that lead to repeatable innovation; helping organizations build long term success and avoid being a "one shot wonder." In-depth research and theories tested across hundreds of companies make this a real go-to guide for any corporate or organization leader that needs to leverage innovation into sustainable growth. The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail (Hardcover) Learning from the mistakes of others is just as valuable as learning from their successes. In this volume, Christensen pinpoints the common situations where well-intentioned innovation fails — often due to trying to please existing customers and not abandoning traditional technologies or product models soon enough. Included are a series of basic rules that will prevent you from committing the same mistakes and ensure your innovation is leading, not following, the market. How Will You Measure Your Life? In this award-winning Harvard Business Review article, Christensen grays the lines between the professional and personal; applying his proven management and innovation theories to help make better career decisions, create stronger family relationships and plan for a more satisfying and rewarding life. To order by phone, call us toll-free at 800-668-6780 and mention referral code 01453. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call +1-617-783-7450. * Purchasers are responsible for all shipping charges, duties, taxes, brokerage fees, and/or import fees imposed by the country of import. Please check with your customs office for details. If you do not wish to receive special offer email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)

Five Self-Defeating Behaviors that Ruin Companies and Careers

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. YOU AT WORK HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile Five Self-Defeating Behaviors that Ruin Companies and Careers Rosabeth Moss Kanter Some of the worst wounds are self-inflicted. Build Your Reputation the Rachael Ray Way Dorie Clark How to become dominant in your field. Read more. When Your Manager Is Afraid of You Liz Ryan A rookie learns the costs of being exceptional. Read more. Stop Being a People-Pleaser Elizabeth Grace Saunders Defend your time as carefully as you'd defend someone else's. Read more. Mastering Project Management Collection Special Collection How many projects in your organization have come in on time and on budget? Are you panicking because you've been asked to lead a project and are not sure where to begin? Have you lost money on a sure-thing project and had no idea why? Are many of your biggest projects failing outright while others lag months behind schedule? This specially priced Mastering Project Management Collection will give you the confidence and tools you need to manage projects effectively. Should Your Boss Care About Your Klout Score? Michael Schrage The influence of influence scores. Read more. ADVERTISEMENT BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done ADVERTISEMENT Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "You at Work" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every month. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)