Successful Organizational Change Depends on Personality

Organizations are collectives of people that create efficiencies in the way they process information and resources to produce profit-driven products. As the market adjusts organizations should learn how to shift with it. Organizational change can be as much a change in perception as it is about adjusting processes. The employees personality and how they perceive these changes makes a difference in the success of change initiatives.

The competitive advantages of firms is partly dependent on human factors such as risk to what is perceived as the normal state (Bablac, 2013). The normal state is subjective but it is based on the perception of "business as usual" for employees. This is homeostasis where they can go about their work in routine in a way that doesn't distress them.

Change requires making the routine adjust to create new patterns of behaviors. It can be difficult for people who seek the safety of familiarity, and have become accustomed to the effort level required to succeed in their jobs, to adjust their patterns. When the expectations change there is bound to be stress and some employees may become resistant.

Reverse perspectives and into employees mind where new effort is annoyingly difficult to learn new requirements and change often represents more work with the same pay. This effort is above and beyond what it takes to learn and understand the new expectations in the workplace. Change is begrudgingly accepted in many cases but is all to often frustrated by employee foot dragging.

 To help employees mentally accept change it is necessary to share with them the purpose of change and their specific contributions to it. The end result must be worth the hassle. Employees should envision what the organization will look like after the change and why it is so important for them to be part of it. If employees feel their needs are being taken care of and their contributions are valuable they will much more willing to take on engagement type behaviors.

Catalin, . (2013). Change management essentials to manage business flexibility. Valahian of Economic Studies, 4 (4)

We Can Do a Better Job of Supporting our Veterans

Without veterans we wouldn't have the freedoms we enjoy today. Our lives would be very much different without the blood, sweat, and tears of young people in uniform. The problem is how we treat them when they get back home and integrate into the civilian world. Things begin to break down where rhetoric must be replaced with real action. As a community we can step up our efforts to care for veterans.

I read an article in KPBS entitled San Diego Nonprofit Trains Veterans For Manufacturing Jobs that discusses the beneficial job the non-profit organization Workshops for Warriors is doing for helping veterans train for manufacturing jobs. They are funded primarily through private and business donations so you might want to give them a little something.

The business community can do more by donating to such organizations but also by hiring more veterans. It isn't enough to say you are hiring veterans without giving them real consideration in hiring and promotion process. All too often veterans are passed over for positions based on issues unrelated to their skill and abilities.

Transitioning back to civilian life isn't easy and veterans sometimes need a little help. They could use support socializing, finding meaningful hobbies, getting involved in their communities, and learning to lead their own lives again. Encouraging them find meaningful outlets and community engagement can make a big difference in their long-term success.

Law Enforcement should also do a better job of ensuring we are not re-traumatizing veterans. They shouldn't just be processed and ignored. Ensuring that they are getting help and avoiding becoming victims of the system is important. They deserve our care and consideration for the sacrifices they have made and the injuries sustained at no fault of their own.

As a nation we are doing much but could also do more. We have experienced a series of wars and have gained from the sacrifices the veterans have made. Sometimes we get so busy in our own lives we forget about those who could have lost their lives so that we can enjoy ours. America is a land of freedom, we should ensure veterans have the greatest opportunities to also enjoy that freedom.

How Social Networks Encourage San Diego's Millennials to be Innovative

San Diego is an innovative place but can work on the "soft" side of innovation to create more economic growth. An article in The San Diego Union-Tribune entitled Downtown San Diego: The innovation economy’s latest frontier discusses some of the factors why San Diego is innovative and attracting Millennials. Understanding how innovation is developed through social interaction can help the business community create a stronger innovative environment.

According to the article, San Diego has 15.34 business start-ups per 10,000 people when compared to 1.35 per 10,000 people nationally. San Diego's downtown population is 1/3 Millennials  with a higher than average $73,000 per year income, and relatively educated population. The young demographic is attracted to walkability, cultural institutions, events and parks.

Young people live active lives and work to achieve their professional goals and spend a lot of time engaged in extra curricular activities or socializing with friends. San Diego is a friendly city with an abundant night life and an even more abundant outdoor activity. It can do more to foster innovative networks.

Beyond the beauty of the city itself, Millennials are also attracted to socializing with like-minded people. Innovative individuals prefer other innovative individuals who share similarities in ideas, dreams, and hopes. Personal social networks can create underground information networks that lead to further business innovation.

Even though innovation is realized as a business product in a boardroom it was built on a mountain of  previous conversations. New ideas are discovered when people of similar interests converse on leading topics in the field to come to new ideations. Radical ideas are then explored formally through science, market testing, and product development to create something of monetary value.

San Diego has the right mix of leading industries, universities, parks and enthusiastic Millennials to be a highly innovative city. Helping Millennials to find affordable housing in close proximity to each other while spurring social engagement through offering the right kind of establishments and social activities can help speed the underbelly of innovation.

2017 Las Vegas Global Conference on Business and Finance

You are invited to participate in The 2017 Las Vegas Global Conference on Business and Finance (GCBF).  The Conference, sponsored by The Institute for Business and Finance Research, LLC (IBFR), will be held from January 2-5, 2017 at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Nevada.


Las Vegas is an exciting destination with much to offer.  There are a wide variety of shows and activities to please any taste.  A large number of shopping outlets are located on the strip as well as throughout the city.  Gambling is legal in Las Vegas and there are many casinos throughout the city.  Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and twelve other national parks are within a few hour drive of Las Vegas.

The conference welcomes papers from academics, including professors and students, and industry practitioners.  Non presenting participants are also welcome.  Theoretical and empirical papers in all areas of business, finance, marketing, management, accounting, MIS, public administration, economics, business law, business education, agribusiness, health care administration and related fields are welcome. Case studies in all areas of business, finance and related fields are also welcome. Papers do not need to be global in nature. English and Spanish language sessions will be offered. An Internet Session will be offered for those unable to make the trip to Las Vegas.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Submission for presentation consideration: October 25, 2016
Regular registration and Payment Receipt: November 7, 2016
Award submission: November 14, 2016
Proceedings submission: November 14, 2016
Late Registration deadline (late fee applies): November 22, 2016
Hotel Booking Deadline: December 8, 2016
Event dates: January   2-5, 2017

http://www.theibfr.com/call-us.htm

Helping Busy Employees Stay Healthy Through Walking

Busy employees have a hard time squeezing in an exercise routine. As people move up the organizational ranks they seem to eat more and workout less. Convenience foods increase bad calories while a busy schedule limits opportunities for fitness.  Something as simple as walking a half hour a day can make a big difference in your health levels.

When people think of getting fit they have images of a gym, getting ready, showering, commuting, and then making their way to work. By the time they complete these tasks it would take an extra 2 hours out of their day. All this time isn't necessary and walking around your neighborhood in the morning or from your office at lunch could be transformational.

According to a study in the American Heart Association's journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology walking is as beneficial as jobbing for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and overall health.  The study highlighted that walking was more sustainable and had a slightly higher overall benefit than running.

There are those who feel walking isn't intense enough and lean toward running. I have mixed speed walking and sprinting together for even greater benefit. You have all the benefits of walking but also raise your heart rate high for maximum cardio and fat burning benefits. Walk for a minute and sprint for 30 seconds throughout your entire walk and see what happens.

No matter what your position within the company, there is no reason why you can't get in shape. You can walk your way to health early in the morning, at lunch, or after supper to maintain peak performance. Put a pair of walking shoes under your desk and use them regularly. Make sure you maintain a healthy work-life balance so you can prosper on multiple fronts.