WHAT  THE REAL DEPRESSION TEACHES US ABOUT PEOPLE AND PERFORMANCE.

You might be very surprised, as I was, about the Real Depression!  I bring this up because a lot of people who were not there are throwing that word around like they know what they are talking about.   I wasn't here either, but I know many who were, and I really have disdain for fear mongerers and people trying to cause hysteria. 

But, since it has been bandied about, I wanted to let you know something you might not have heard about.  And, this is very important for consideration today. 

There was a study several years after the depression in which business owners were surveyed to see how they made the decision during such challenging times on which employees they kept and which they laid off.

In a survey that addressed 4000 men who lost their jobs,  67% of them were terminated because of their inability to get along with others!!!!!   In other words, the depression afforded these owners an opportunity to de-select those who were not committed and dedicated. 

Since we are in some challenging times now, although nothing like then, this is a good time for you to evaluate your work force.   Take a look at your employees and ask whether you would hire them today, knowing what you know, or would you make a different decision.  In the event you find a need to cut some of your workforce, think about this instead of years served or other arbitrary factors.  Downturns are a great time to re-energize your company and remove indifferent or disengaged people who may have had a significant role in declines in your results.