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WORKLIFE NEWS ALERT : December 2008
Career development and management news from Worklife International
   
 

In this issue:

Latest HR stats

Eight million people could be thrown out of work over the next two years as the major developed economies endure their worst recession in almost 30 years, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Quote of the month

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”

Jim Rohn 

  

A word from the MD, Peter Tobin

Welcome to the final issue of Worklife News Alert for 2008. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our online newsletter this year and thank you to all those who've sent through their feedback and suggestions.

2008 has been quite a tumultuous year for Australian businesses, with the year starting out with a booming economy, candidate shortages and continued focus on retention, only to turn full tilt in the past few months to finish up with the world in a global economic crisis which is impacting virtually every corner of our organisations and, for many organisations, the focus has now shifted from retention to retrenchment.  As a full-service career development and transition organisation, Worklife offers a range of career transition services to assist your displaced senior executives and, to find out more about our programs, please see the 'Product Profile' section in this issue of Worklife News Alert.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and happy festive season and I look forward to bringing you more career development and management news in the Worklife News Alert in 2009.  Please note that our offices will close over Christmas from Wednesday, 24 December 2008, reopening on Monday, 5 January 2009.

Dear Worklife 

Each month Worklife answers your career development questions. To ask us a career development question, simply click here now. This month's Q&A looks at the lessons learned from previous ‘tough’ economic times.

Q: My organisation is looking to make some staff cuts but we are also experiencing higher than ‘normal’ turnover from staff in areas that are not affected. Both situations are sending our staff turnover stats and expenses sky high. What do you suggest we can do?

A: Downsizing work teams always leads to uneasiness in other areas of most organisations. Effective, consistent, and honest communication is one way to ensure all team members understand the reasons for changes in the structure and make up of the organisation. However, staff turnover may still occur within teams that you want to remain stable – that’s human nature.

Consider retraining staff to fill vacancies in other areas of the organisation. The investment in the development of new skills and knowledge will far outweigh the costs associated with recruitment, selection, induction, and ongoing training for new employees.

The investment in retraining has many benefits:
1. Sends a positive message to the workforce that you value employees;
2. Reduces your recruitment and selection costs; and
3. Retains intellectual knowledge in the business.

Product profile: Career Transition Services

In this month's Worklife News Alert we profile Worklife's career transition services. As the impact of the global financial crisis reverberates throughout Australian organisations, staff layoffs are an inevitable fall-out of the situation and Worklife’s range of career transition services provide organisations with customised solutions to assist their displaced senior executives through their career transitions.

With programs tailored to suit the individual and unique needs of each participant, our time-unlimited programs give executives access to dedicated one-on-one guidance from our senior career transition experts combined with job search research assistance, access to centrally located, quality office facilities, as well as partner and spouse support.

All Worklife career transition programs come with the added assurance of success with a 20% success fee payable only once the transitioning executive has achieved his or her objectives, whether that be securing a new role, starting a business, or transitioning to retirement or semi-retirement.

To find out more about Worklife's career transition programs click here now to Worklife's website where you can download the information flyer or contact Worklife via email (info@worklifeint.com) or phone (02) 8968 9368.

What's new on the web?
Check out www.fastcompany.com  

Fast Company is a business website with a focus on entrepreneurialism, innovation, and challenging convention.  The website uncovers the best and 'next' business practices, helping business leaders to work smarter and more effectively.

Fast Company features a range of business-related topics from innovation to management to work/life balance. And be sure to check out the 'Best Business Books of 2008' slideshow for some inspirational holiday reading.

To check out Fast Company go to www.fastcompany.com.

What's happening at Worklife this month?

Worklife is pleased to announce the dates for its popular Career Coach Certification Program (CCCP) in 2009. The details are as follows:

Sydney - 9-11 February; 27-29 April; 10-12 August; 9-11 November 
Melbourne - 23-25 February; 18-20 May; 24-26 August; 23-25 November
Brisbane - 15-17 June
Auckland - 22-24 June

To register for any of these sessions click here now to go to Worklife's website homepage where you can download the registration form or register online.  Alternatively, for more information, contact Worklife today via email (info@worklifeint.com) or call us on (02) 8968 9368.

  
   

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www.worklifeint.com
Level 22, 201 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW Australia 2060
Telephone: (02) 8968 9368 or Email: info@worklifeint.com

 

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