Aligning Personnel

One of the key success factors, especially during this time of financial turmoil, is getting the most value from the wages you are paying your staff. Are employees effectively aligned to the work they are doing, or would they be better used in other positions? Too often, employees are not productive because they are in the wrong jobs.

Let me be clear – I am not referring to the employees who are trouble makers or who do not fit into the organization. These employees should be terminated. Keeping them on erodes the morale of the employees who do care about their jobs and the organization. Keeping them on the payroll is a waste of money. There should be a financial benefit to the company for every employee on the payroll.

No, I am referring to employees who are good people but whose productivity is low due to lack of training or native ability to do the job they are in.

First, there should be a job description for every job that is, or needs to be, performed within the company. For each job description there should also be a list of qualifications and personal traits to perform the job.

Second, each employee should be evaluated against the job description and qualifications for the job they are currently assigned. Is there good alignment? If not, is there another job description for which they would be better qualified?

If there are interpersonal issues, it might be prudent to have personality profile tests, such as Myers Briggs, administered to all employees. The administrator will follow-up by explaining the personality types and help employees understand how to relate with other personality types.

It may be beneficial to have tests that relate to specific job performance to be independently administered to indicate the type of work each employee is best suited to.

Sometimes an employee will have the interest and aptitude for a job, but lacks the training. If specific training is needed, find a way of helping the employee get educated.

Whatever process is used, there should be excellent communication with the employees, explaining that steps are being taken to improve everyone’s productivity thus ensuring company and job survival with better likelyhood for future raises.

Assignment of personnel into the right jobs can do wonders for productivity and morale, not to mention the profitability of the company.

Will Limkemann
Limkemann Business Advisors
440-871-0976
www.neobizadvisor.com