Welcome to the machine: Why white-collar jobs are safe from AI — for now

Posted by & filed under Change, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Artificial intelligence can perform certain specific tasks far better than humans, but it still has a long way to go before it can replace humans Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Dec 28, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/technology/welcome-to-the-machine-why-white-collar-jobs-are-safe-from-ai-for-now Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points that managers should undersatnd about AI and how it is likley to affect business… Read more »

Older Canadians forgoing retirement, working through golden years, census shows

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Industrial Relations, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: The latest census data show more and more Canadians are choosing to eschew the traditional retirement age, whether for their health, their finances or just for the fun of it Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 29, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/retirement/older-canadians-forgoing-retirement-working-through-golden-years-census-2 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. What should HR managers do with this… Read more »

Here’s How Tim Ferriss Prepares for a TED Talk

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Those who know me well know that I am an unabashed devotee of the author, podcaster, and life-hacking guru Tim Ferriss. I’ve listened to too many of his podcasts to count, and applied many tips from them to my life. So when I heard he had a new book coming out, the 624-page Tribe of… Read more »

Vice Media Fires 3 Employees After Harassment Complaints

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Decision Making, Diversity, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Industrial Relations, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Vice Media fired three employees for behavior ranging from “verbal and sexual harassment to other behavior that is inconsistent with our policies, our values, and the way in which we believe colleagues should work together,” a company executive said in a memo to employees. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Dec 02, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/01/business/media/vice-media-harassment-fires-three-employees.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=12&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for… Read more »

Forewarned is forearmed: Train all management to handle harassment issues

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Control, Diversity, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Industrial Relations, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: “One is never too old to yearn” goes the charming Italian proverb — as long as you keep such thoughts concealed. In today’s workplace, open unrequited love is a recipe for a rapid descent into unemployment. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Dec 01, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/executive/careers/1128-biz-hl-levitt-wkpld Questions for discussion: Summarize the advice presented to companies and… Read more »

Matt Lauer Is Reportedly Seeking a $30 Million Golden Parachute

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Leadership, Management, Social Responsibility, Teams.

Description: Matt Lauer’s lawyers are reportedly trying to ensure that the disgraced former Todayshow host walks away from his NBC gig with a hefty sum. Source: Fortune.com Date: Dec 01, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/12/01/matt-lauer-30-million-payout/ Questions for discussion: What are the issues facing NBC and Matt Lauer as they deal with his firing? How should management structure contracts… Read more »

Opinion: Matt Lauer is a litmus test for every workplace

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Diversity, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Executives and employees need to be on the same page about a company’s ethics and image Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Dec 01, 2017 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/matt-lauer-is-a-litmus-test-for-every-workplace-2017-12-01 Questions for discussion: What does the report suggest to management and employees about setting policies on ethical behaviors? What other thoughts do you have on setting policies?

Grieving Mother’s Firing Sparks Backlash Against Chinese Education Startup

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Control, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: VIPKid is the latest gig-economy company to be ensnared in the contractor-versus-employee debate. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 21, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-21/grieving-mother-s-firing-sparks-backlash-against-chinese-education-startup Questions for discussion: What are the managerial issues that distinguish between a contractor versus an employee relationship with a firm? Should companies publicize how they treat contractors and employees differently?

The Hidden Victim of Sexual Harassment: Women’s Careers

Posted by & filed under Conflict, Control, Diversity, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Social Responsibility, Teams.

Description: Yet another industry titan tumbled from his perch on Wednesday as NBC announced the firing of star Today Show host Matt Lauer for alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior.” Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 30, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/11/30/matt-lauer-fired-sexual-harassment-jobs/ Questions for discussion: What does the report suggest may be a consequence of the recent scandals? Do you agree with… Read more »

How Benefit Cosmetics Uses Organic vs. Paid Social

Posted by & filed under Change, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: As brands struggle to find the right mix of organic and paid campaigns on social media, Benefit Cosmetics has found an approach that works: Organic social media marketing is critical, supported only occasionally by paid efforts. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Nov 30, 2017 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/How-Benefit-Cosmetics-Uses-Organic-vs-Paid-Social/1016793 Questions for discussion: What is the difference between organic and… Read more »