I don't know how things are going where you are, but in my neck of the woods I'm seeing a lot of arts people getting fired, resigning in lieu of being fired, etc.
Consider the following:
Firing people is a marketing function.
I know, you thought it was an human resources function. But it isn't.
How you fire people (and how you hire them) says far more about your company then an online ad for your next event ever will.
In fact, firing people creates the most powerful type of marketing: viral marketing.
What do people do once they have been fired?
They talk about it.
They may not talk about why they were fired, but they absolutely talk about HOW they were fired. That message quickly spreads and it creates an impression about what type of company you are.
That's why letting people in a go in a way that keeps their dignity intact is so important.
I'm not saying that it's easy. But it is necessary.
If you have to let somebody go, try to do it in a way that let's both parties hold their heads high when it's over.
It could be the best marketing your company does all month.
For me what is most striking is how little some of the Boards at these organizations understand about not being able to control the conversation.
"this is not a public matter" is a naive notion at a place that relies on public support for existing.
Posted by: Tony | July 30, 2009 at 03:08 PM