Though nothing is ever really finished...

At long last, I have a completed product. You can see the link to the project on Lulu at the right of the page.  I do have to give a plug to Lulu for the ease and convenience of their website, the speed and accuracy of printing and delivery.  What a great thing to have access to.  10 years ago, aspiring authors would have to have put up a much more substantial investment to ever self-publish anything.  The world turns quickly these days.

Additionally, I saw an interview with the CEO of Netflix the other day, Reed Hastings.  He was talking about employee performance and Netflix philosophy on those things.  He said that in most companies, an average employee gets an average raise.  At Netflix, an average employee gets generous severance.  At first glance this may seem a little draconian.  But, if you'll take the time to think about it, you might find that it is the most effective HR policy out there.  Too bad most companies can't or won't afford such a policy.  Here's the result...

An employee doesn't fit (for whatever reason) in the organization and is doing average work.  The employer has a responsibility to the other employees to do something about it.  S/He can either ignore the problem or s/he can deal with it.  Dealing with it means one of two things...the performance has to be elevated or the employee has to move on to a place where his performance is effective.  I assume that the first plan of attack is to help a person find their place where the performance can be elevated.  But, if that plan doesn't work...the Netflix policy allows a manager to provide a bridge to the next place of employment.  This treats the employee more than fairly and it provides the employer with the ability to make changes necessary to increase the collective performance of the organization.

Another belief I hold is that there is a place where each person can and will excel.  If they are mired too long in a job that (for whatever reason) does not bring out the best in them...then the ultimate waste of a career is found therein.  I applaud a policy that would direct someone to take the steps to find their sweet spot.