SociableSport

Recession...

It's a big, dark, gloomy word.

'Current economic climate' is a much happier phrase, and one everyone seems to prefer. Here's why -

'Current' invokes a sense of immediacy. It also implies that the future is yet unknown - that it is likely to change. Imagine 'economic climate' without the word current. The duration of the description would seem much longer.

'Economic' (instead of, say, recessionary) is a very vague word. When we talk about 'economic forces' or 'economic factors' we invariably talk about things beyond our control. When they are under our control they become policy - monetary policy, fiscal stimulus etc. This sense of vagueness is coupled with disownership. The word 'economic' is itself an adjective relating to the word 'economy' (a noun). And what it is here we're describing as economic?

'Climate' - also likely to change, also beyond our control (unless you're in a really nice car). To be exposed to a certain climate is to be subject to certain external circumstances - such as heat or cold, or rain and snow. But these are all things you can make the most of - some people don't like too heat but some do and vice versa - it's a matter of opinion. As humans, we can adapt to different climates to suit our own preferences. In this sense, then, an economic climate is whatever you want it to be. If you're the type that won't go outside unless it's precisely 24degrees with zero chance of precipitation, then perhaps you'll be agitated when the temperature rises or falls, or if clouds start to form in the sky. Even so, in this case 'climate' is only a 'current' situation, by definition it is not consistent. The current temperature may be 22degrees - or even 12degrees - but it's not going to stay like that forever. So, even if you're a die-hard cynic refusing to leave the comfort of your climate-controlled home unless there's a clear, blue sky and a warm 24degrees showing on the baraometer, you can sit by the window and wait for things to get better because - eventually - they will.

'Recession', on the other hand, is like a hurricane. Hurricanes can be very dangerous and very unpredictable. Everyone is adviced to stay indoors and even the emergency services struggle to cope in the stormy conditions. No one feels safe and no one really knows how bad it's going to be, how long it will last or where it's going to cause the most damage. What we do know is that it won't last forever, but when one comes along our main concern should be protecting ourselves from the associated dangers. This is no time for sitting by the window wondering when the sun is going to have his hat on - you may get a face full of glass!

Can you see the difference? By describing a recession using the phrase 'current economic climate' we avoid the need to 'weather the storm'. Instead, we describe something that's out of reach (economic), as being short-lived (current) and something perfectly natural (climate).

It's a climate of expectancy (let's look forward to when it gets better!) rather than a climate of fear (how bad is it going to get?).

I don't know about you, but it's back to work for me!

Lyndon

I'm a huge fan of numbers 4 and 5. Because of the recession, we may be tempted to feel as though we are working hard for no reward. Keeping a job is a passive: there is nothing new to be gained from putting in the extra hours. Or so we thought... Put the hours in, but do so in the right way. Demand creativity, space and time to breathe, to think and to find yourself in your job. You will have less to do at the moment but your instinct is to drag it out so you 'look busy'. Don't - be honest, work hard and innovate!

Remember that in recessions the strongest get stronger and everyone is as strong as each other. So don't just aim to keep your head above water, aim to put it above the parapit!

~

During particularly stressful economic times, too many high-quality employees think it's smarter to step back than to step up. Keeping a low profile becomes a quiet refuge of the fortunately employed. Risk taking and visibility seem to be too high-risk until the economic furies have passed.

But letting this mind-set take hold in your agency invites a vicious cycle of decline. The economic slowdown offers an opportunity for employers to rethink their culture, while providing incentives to innovative employees to position the agency for rapid recovery and sustainable success.

Fighting the bunker mentality among your employees is an essential requirement of leadership. Organizations should -- quickly and, yes, cheaply -- consider these five cost-effective actions to boost energy, awareness and morale.

1. Relax the rules.
"No" is one of the smallest but most damaging words in the English language. And unfortunately, in this tough economic environment, companies are laying down more rules and seem to be saying no to a lot of things. Instead, look for ways to say yes. Relax the rules about how you let people use the internet. Remain flexible about hours. Allow more freedom where you can. This creates an environment where creativity can thrive.

2. Create a low-cost 'innovation lab.'
Encourage individuals and teams to create and test new ideas in a "lab" environment -- either by creating a physical space or through a cultural transition. You can take a look at other lab concepts within and outside the agency world to get ideas about how others do it. Think about what you see at places like MIT and Silicon Valley-type companies such as Google and Pixar. Then make sure you challenge the entire company to solve a pressing business issue or internal concern.

3. Interview new talent, and publicize their talent and skills.
Think about asking all your employees to conduct informational interviews to help find talent, building a pipeline for the future. Encourage these connections with the talent in the marketplace, some of whom may be without jobs. This gives everyone a chance to tell your story to the outside world, building buzz about the company or agency. Internally, it exposes the company to good people in the job market, providing benefits to everyone on both sides of the interview desk. Nothing makes you appreciate your job and company more than meeting people who want it.

4. 'Day trip' the professional development.
Get out of the office! Take your employees outside and visit a venue that fosters creative thinking. Go to museums and galleries and see what's on the wall. Go to the supermarket and look at new products on the shelves. More important, look at the people -- your future customers, clients and prospects. Interact. This type of professional-development opportunity gives everyone a real-world perspective to solve creative challenges in an out-of-the-office context.

5. Embrace social networking.
Get your employees involved in establishing the company's online community to optimize social-networking opportunities. They're doing it anyway, so why not enable them to benefit the company as well? You can also use social-networking concepts to solve internal challenges. For example, create an internal open-source site for every new-business pitch, and encourage employees to add ideas, build on them and vote for the best ones. Get the entire company jazzed about the pitch, and let everyone be a contributor.

There's never been a better time to show confidence in your people by helping them invest in themselves. Give everyone a shot of inspiration in the face of uncertainty, and give the organization itself a boost at the same time. Encourage new freedoms and do things a little differently. People remember managers and leaders who manage and lead and inspire instead of hiding and using the economy as an excuse. That sets the tone for the entire agency. When the economy starts to turn, you'll be well-positioned for growth.

Via http://adage.com/talentworks/article?article_id=136755 thanks to Beth Ann Kaminkow