Career News 24/7: The Cynical Girl: Improve Two-Way Communication In Just One Step

Friday, June 7, 2013

The Cynical Girl: Improve Two-Way Communication In Just One Step

Improve Two-Way Communication In Just One Step

Posted: 06 Jun 2013 03:45 AM PDT

I saw this tweet from my good friend Jason Lauritsen.

Improve Two-Way Communication In Just 9 Steps goo.gl/azBz5 via @thoughtpartner

— Jason Lauritsen (@JasonLauritsen) June 4, 2013

Nine steps? This seems excessive. You can build a Stradivarius in eight steps. I responded accordingly.

@jasonlauritsen It’s only *one step* if you would just STFU and listen to me. #streamlining #communication #HR

— Laurie Ruettimann (@lruettimann) June 4, 2013

I’ve never had a communication problem in life — or at work — that was improved in nine steps. I think there are two steps.

Shut up.
Listen.

And if things are broken and not just in need of improvement, there is a third step:

3. Continue to shut up and listen.

(Nothing good comes from talking in the heat of the moment.)

So go check out the article and tell me what you think. I am not a workforce psychologist or an advice guru; however, I am pretty sure you don’t need nine steps to raise a child, let alone improve two-way communication with people in your life.

You just need to STFU and listen to me, baby. That’s all you gotta do.

Bad HR Software Pitches and Cynicism

Posted: 05 Jun 2013 03:45 AM PDT

Two weeks ago, I was pitched an awful idea.

“How about a Human Resources solution with the capability to manage the full life-cycle of HR — from hiring to performance management to compensation planning — for companies with 0-5 employees?”

I said, “Wait, you want to sell HR software to companies with no employees. Just a founder?”

“Zero to five employees, Laurie.”

I said, “That software exists. It’s called Excel. And a bookkeeper named Morrie.”

But apparently I’m wrong. I was informed that this is a growing market with burgeoning demand. Only a fraction of companies in America have over 100 employees. And this market — of companies with 0-5 employees who need a Human Resources software solution — is ready to explode.

I said, “Yeah, it’s exploding into something called PEO.”

And this guy said, “You just don’t get it.”

Yup, he is right. I don’t get it. On top of being a Human Resources entrepreneur and consultant, I run a company with 0-5 employees. And we don’t need a Human Resources information system.

But I have to tell you something serious: These bad pitches are getting to me.

The other day, I was pitched a really good idea in a hallway by a passionate guy who wanted to see if I could offer my consulting services to his organization.

Before I could even consider the merits of his company, I saw roadblocks.

“This product already exists.”
“The market is supersaturated with solutions.”
“Why would anyone pay for this when it exists?”

I actually said those things. And they might be true, but OMG, the guy can dream. Who am I to act like I know anything about innovation in the HR technology space?

[Okay, okay, okay. I've seen (and partied) with some really smart dudes at conferences over the past six years. And I am sad for the guys who fail. The ones who pitch before thinking through the active path towards profitability. I do have some credibility.]

But I still felt bad about my reaction to the guy who needed my help. I sent an apology. If someone can be passionate about HR technology, I want to help.

Except the guy who wants to pitch me on a Human Resources software solution for a company with zero employees. If you ever feel like buying that kind of software, please call me. I will introduce you to this thing called “having a conversation with your 0-5 employees” and QuickBooks.