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 Outdated products and services can eat up costs and require expensive infrastructure.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)