Competency & Performance - Appraisal time

As we get into the last quarter 2008, appraisals are on everyone’s mind. When well done, the appraisal or review process becomes highly motivating. Research reports indicate over 60% of organizations either use paper based or complicated systems to manage their appraisals.

At SMR, we have a new on line version - the SMRT E-Appraisal for you. Look at it, see how simple it is. You can make your appraisals process easy and automated - literally a simple 3 steps process! I like to invite you to visit www.smrteappraisal.com. Sign up for FREE and see how you like it. For more details on how you can use SMRT E-Appraisal in your organization free of cost, please contact azaath@smrhrgroup.com.

Creating Your Own Rainbow - What got you here won’t get you there!

Marshall Goldsmith’s book stumped me. A great and a must book to read for everyone who is in the business of helping people learn and perform. His 20 + 1 habits and the principles of feed forward are superb. He is a Rainbow Creator. Visit http://www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com/blog/

The conscience of a liberal & the economic crisis

I have always liked Professor Paul Krugman’s views. It was recently announced Krugman would receive the Nobel Prize in Economics. He does not hide the fact he is a liberal. A prolific writer, Paul Krugman joined The New York Times in 1999 as a columnist on the Op-Ed Page and continues as professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University. He received his B.A. from Yale University in 1974 and his Ph.D. from MIT in 1977. He has taught at Yale, MIT and Stanford. At MIT he became the Ford International Professor of Economics. Visit http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/?8dpc

The US Presidential Elections

Just about a few more days and the two year process will end. I spoke with many friends while in the USA. Some were real strong conservative republicans; they usually called Obama a socialist. This group often liked Governor Sarah Palin for her conservatism. While there were many Republicans who were considering voting Obama because of her being chosen to be a running mate. It was ironical when I mentioned about Obama in my last E-News, I had a strong objection to injecting politics into my E-News from an American friend and her husband. And of course, they thought Obama was an empty raincoat. There were also many of you who were excited about my rooting for Obama. Politics sure can be contentious.

The Newsweek reports that eight years of Republican rule have produced two seemingly endless wars, an economy in recession, a giant federal intervention in the financial sector and a nearly universal feeling of unease in the country (86 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with how things are going, and 73 percent disapprove of the president's performance). Obama - a man who has yet to complete his fourth year in the United States Senate - is leading John McCain, and Democrats may gain seats on Capitol Hill. In 2007, the Pew Research Center published a 112-page report subtitled "Political Landscape More Favorable to Democrats," and the most recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 55 percent believe Obama's views are neither too liberal nor too conservative but are "about right." http://www.newsweek.com/id/164656

Nevertheless, we will know in a few days time. Let us hope the economic crisis will fade away and the world will be a better place to live.

SMR Group News

We have been working hard to make the Asia HRD Congress 2009 a success. The HRDPower.net® and SMRT E-Appraisal software teams have put together a plan for 2009 to offer great value to customers. The Training and Consulting teams have a global plan too. For more details, please email gerry@smrhrgroup.com.

I will be in touch next month.

We wish our Indian friends - Happy Deepavali.