Employers changing tactics to improve Job Performance of employees

 

 

Employers are beginning to give-up on a hard-nosed “fix what your bad at” approach with employees in lieu of a new, and seemingly more effective, strategy in managing employees’ job performance. This workplace change is developing from much published research including the Gallop Poll’s major study that cited more than 80,000 interviews examining why top managers excelled, determining that the only common factor in their success was everyone said they were using their strengths on their jobs.

 “Employers want people who operate at their peak performance and they are willing to pay top dollar to hire them” says Robin Ryan, America’s leading career counselor and bestselling author of a new book called Soaring on Your Strengths (Penguin 1.1.2006  www.SoaringOn.com). 

                       

“Lately in my career counseling practice, I find clients who are being offered thousands of dollars more to move on to a new employer, but only after they master how to best self-market themselves through personal branding” noted the woman who has appeared on Oprah and the Dr. Phil Show.  “Today’s worker must become very clear on what his or her strengths are and the results they can achieve. It’s a message you must be able to deliver in 60 seconds or less.  Clients say this isn’t always as easy as it would seem since many people get more criticism on what they don’t do well so their more sure on what they do wrong, than on promoting what the excel in.”  explains Ryan bestselling author of five books including, “60 Seconds & You’re Hired!,” Winning Resumes”, “Winning Cover Letters” and “What to Do With the Rest of Your Life”.

 

Strengths-based management is a new HR trend that develops employees to their best advantage – and increases company productivity. “Trying to “fix” employees’ weaknesses doesn’t work. It’s like trying to fit a round hole in a square peg. The practice is actual counterproductive and wastes time and money,” Ryan noted. She clarifies a key point that inexperience or lack of knowledge on how-to-do something, and weakness, are not the same thing. We can all learn, but if you are innately lousy at math, you’ll likely struggle, marginally improve but retain the weakness. “My research supports you improve your own productivity by focusing on improving your talents”

 

Ryan’s tips include doing some self analysis to determine your own personal brand.  Your strengths are innate and they’ve been likely displayed throughout your life in your activities – i.e. natural sales or persuasive skills, artistic ability with color, building designs, etc.  Honing some old talents, developing new ones such as writing or public speaking is what allows you to remain at the top of your game. 

 

“Everyone has a personal brand, a career identity that is your professional work reputation. It reflects other people's opinion of you as a worker, the associations they make when they think about you,” states Ryan, who has counseled thousands of individuals in her career counseling practice.  “Learning to build your career on your natural talents and strengths, and establishing a recognizable image that distinguishes you as a productive and valuable employee, is the key to acquiring success and advancement in today's workplace,” she revealed.

As employers have cut training budgets heavily in the last five years, Ryan explains that employers have shifted the responsibility for acquiring improved job skills onto the individual worker.  “People who are develop their strengths mastering them into core competencies perform at a higher level than others doing the same work. Thus, it’s developing your personal brand based on the genuine person you are that stands for what you do really well. This establishment of your professional career identity is now the key to future job security.”

 

Most people haven’t given much thought to how they are perceived at work.  But everyone needs to think about that question if they wish to remain viable and get personal satisfaction from their job. In “Soaring on Your Strengths” Ryan helps you define your own career identity –referred to through out the book as Brand You. Her seven components in this self-marketing process to determine your personal brand include:

1. Brand Equity – Talents and Strengths
2. Brand Advantage – Core Competencies                                                                                               
3. Brand Passion – The Drive Inside                                                                                                         
4. Brand Values – Be True to Yourself                                                                                                      
5. Brand Essence - The Traits that Make You – YOU!                                                                                
6. Brand Image - The Right Appearance                                                                                                  
7. Brand Reputation – What Others Think of You

Employers recognize they need a win-win strategy to remain competitive in today’s world. When the employee’s productivity goes up, and they enjoy their work, retention becomes easier, which is the foundation for this new change in the workplace.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.