Eureka! Somebody else out there agrees that it is sheer lunacy to be laying off people at the rate at which business is currently doing.
4.4 million people have been laid-off in the US in the past 5 months, while here in the UK that number has topped a million! This is devastating in itself, but what is even more tragic is the way we wring our hands and shake our heads and do so little to change things. This stock response to economic downturn simply exacerbates the situation, yet business leaders persist and we all seem to think there is no choice.
But there is, and we need to act accordingly. Governments are pouring billions into their respective economies to encourage banks to start lending. Yet they are simultaneously insisting banks adopt more prudent lending practices. But such unemployment numbers mean there will be no-one for the banks to lend to, for, even if they wanted to lend to people without income, there will be little demand.
The logic of all this is clearly questionable. However, so is the role of business leaders, because , in compounding the problem, one can only conclude that:
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If they understand the situation, their actions in laying people off are the epitome of self-interest; analogous to commandeering the life-boats: or
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They do not understand economics at all and thus have no idea of the consequences of their actions.
Either way they emerge with little credit for there are alternatives to redundancy.
It was to convey and promote this message that I recently created my Alternatives to Redundancy website, with a free guide to illustrate the alternatives. Now, in the past week, my friend Alex Kjerulf has posted a practical example of those ideas. I urge you to read it, but as you do so, just remember that people whose incomes are dwindling need something to encourage them, make them feel their sacrifices are not in vain, and continue to give of their best. The Zealise approach, with its unique no-cost ownership, not only gives this, but builds a platform for the highest possible level of employee engagement and thus maximises the prospects for sustained, long-term success.
Please bear that in mind when you click here to read Alex's post. We have to do something if we are to prevent this recession turning into a full scale depression – and soon! We can all do our bit.