When reading the thoughts of my peers in the recruiting profession, I have to admit I become a little surprised at how many have really had a chance to … Read more
Ken Gaffey (kengaffey@comcast.net) is currently an employee of CPS Personal Services (www.cps.ca.gov) and has been involved in the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration project since its inception. Prior to this National Security project Ken was an independent human resources and staffing consultant with an extensive career of diversified human resources and staffing experience in the high-tech, financial services, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries. His past clients include Hewlett Packard, First Data Corporation, Fidelity Investments, Fleet Bank, Rational Software, Ericsson, Astra Pharmaceutical, G&D Engineering, and other national and international industry leaders. In addition to contributing articles and book reviews to publications like ERE, Monster.com, AIRS, HR Today, and the International Recruiters Newsletter, Ken is a speaker at national and international conferences, training seminars, and other staffing industry events. Ken is a Boston native and has lived in the greater Boston area most of his life. Ken attended the University of South Carolina and was an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Slouching Towards a Labor Shortage, Part 3
If we as a profession in HR/staffing accept that the pursuit of true talent is hindered by a lack of that talent, and further accept that, despite the … Read more
Slouching Towards a Labor Shortage, Part 2
Author’s note: One of the things I enjoy most about writing for ER Exchange is not just seeing my name in cyber-print (although it is ego … Read more
Slouching Toward a Labor Shortage
Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a member of the Department of Labor address an HR/staffing conference. This wasn’t a huge … Read more
Are You One of Us, Or One of Them? Part 2
You may accept the premise from my last article that the selfish of this world do not make the best hires. However, that still leaves you with the mission … Read more
Are You One of Us, Or One of Them?
In that difficult period in your youth, where you’re old enough to move about but not yet old enough to be trusted to stay at home alone, you … Read more
Korporate Kulture Klan
It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Thus stated, the road to litigation is often paved with the remnants of “good … Read more
The Best Fruit Is Always Still in the Tree
When I was growing up we had an honest-to-goodness apple orchard about two miles from my house. On occasion, my fellow delinquents and I would jump the … Read more
When a Plus Is Also a Minus
Sometimes we make a big deal out of little things. Sometimes we make too little out of big things. Sometimes we make nothing a plus. Read more
Failure: A Not Uncommon Experience for the Successful Professional
I accepted one full-time position and one consulting position in my career where I was not as successful as I am accustomed to. Er, that is to say, I did … Read more
Pandora’s Box, Part 2: Resolving Post-Hire Issues
So, today is the day. The new hire you placed at your client or within your organization has been with the organization for over two weeks, and the time … Read more
Pandora’s Box: The Post-Hire Follow-up Call
The message of the tale of Pandora and her fateful curiosity is to be sure you really want to know what you seek to learn ó before you act. Or more … Read more
Happy St. Patrick’s Day: A Sobering Point of View
Well here it is, March 18, and I have managed to survive yet another onslaught of Celtic madness better known as St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, the … Read more
Tilting at Windmills, Part 3: Change Agents in Business
My last article ended with a question. To refresh your memory, this was the work exercise: Using the principles of SMEAC (described in a previous article … Read more
Tilting at Windmills, Part 2: Change Agents in Business
The first step in becoming a successful change agent in your world is to take your superman or superwoman costume, your Social Worker Cloak of Moral … Read more
Tilting at Windmills: Change Agents in Business
When I was at one of those crossroad moments of my life my Uncle bought me two tickets to see “Man of La Mancha” live on stage in Boston. Even … Read more
Who Is Teaching Your Staff? Part 2
Some emails or attachments contain viruses. The damage they can potentially do to your organization is staggering, and therefore we have no reason to … Read more
Who Is Teaching Your Staff?
Layoffs involving senior experienced staff and the proliferation of free but untested online information both continue to grow in the HR/staffing … Read more
My New Year’s Resolutions
A new year has arrived, and with it the hopes for a better year than the one preceding it. It has long been a custom to make resolutions to better survive … Read more
I’m Sorry, But Merry Christmas!
The following online internal memo was smuggled out by a source at great personal risk: Read more