Why a good crisis should not go to waste

A. De Pascalis, V. Gioia, How to be successfully headhunted, Il Sole 24 Ore (2009), 158 pp., ¤ 21.

The book sums up the secrets to building a sustainable career and to cultivate your business reputation. According to the authors, head-hunters look for leaders and not for workaholics. So, what should you do, in case of a call from a head-hunter? The book gives you tips on how to take part in a selection, writing your CV, preparing for interviews and contract negotiations.

William P. Barnett, The Red Queen among Organizations, Princeton University Press (2008), 296 pp., ¤ 22.

Princeton Written by a leading organizational theorist, The Red

Queen among organizations challenges the prevailing wisdom about competition, revealing it to be a force that can make—and break—even the most successful organizations. Cynthia Shapiro, What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here?, Macmillan (2008), 304 pp., ¤ 11.

If you are looking for a job you need every advantage you can get. What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here? puts a former HR executive turned employee advocate in your corner. Cynthia Shapiro reveals the best-kept job secrets that employers don’t want you to know including: Secret No.8: A computer is deciding your job prospects. Secret No.12: Professional references are useless. Secret No.18: There is a ‘type’ that always gets the offer. Secret No.21: The Thank-You note is too late. Secret No.28: Always negotiate…and there are thirty-nine more!

Carol D. Hansen, Yih-Teen Lee, The Cultural Context of Human Resource Development, Palgrave MacMillan (2009), 288 pp., ¤ 73.

This volume presents an insight into the understanding of human resource development (Hrd) in various cultural contexts. This book looks at how culture shapes our expectations for what is appropriate in the workplace and aims to broaden the reader’s knowledge of HRD by exploring the boundaries of existing theories. Why a good crisis should not go to waste

Federico Rampini, editorialist for La Repubblica newspaper, in his book entitled “Le dieci cose che non saranno più le stesse” (Ten things which will never be the same again), presents 10 points to keep in mind in order not to waste the current financial crisis.

twsm In your opinion, companies should log onto the outer World. Which ways and organization implications would make this possible? fr What is at the base of this moment in time is that the first effect has been the fall of company legitimacy both in terms of human resources and in terms of all those aspects which involve governments, consumers, business relations and relations among States. Over time wealth has been destroyed and it is now of such great importance that its legitimacy has to be rebuilt. This step can also be made thanks to a new vision of human capital and not only by a logical creation of value for companies. One of the main tools remains dialogue throughout companies and the valorisation of each company’s internal cohesion.

twsm Back to the future? Starting from the United States and up to China, which are the key points to be considered after the

global crisis? fr China has speeded up processes which were under way. An example is that has managed to strengthen its global importance. China has never entered recession periods, it has increased foreign investments and, thanks to the western

world’s loss of prestige has known how to strengthen its alternative system. As for the USA, the verdict is still open, Obama’s government is still “young” and in its development cycle. We can say it’s a return to the future, an updated and modified re-edition of Roosvelt’s New Deal. The change has drawn in all sectors but also civil organization and the systems of conceiving value. The change has affected foreign politics, the financial markets up to health reforms and environmental issues. Having said this, nothing will never be the same. twsm “This crisis can be the chance to speed up change”. From the energy choc to the respectable protectionism. Which are the highlights of environmental issues and of what you define as frugal consumption? fr Just as Obama’s counselors have underlined, a good crisis should not go to waste. Such a strong and intense crisis can only be generated every three generations. The past tells us that means of operating change were possible. Coalitions, political and social resistances however stopped change from becoming reality. The American establishment would never have accepted current the reforms which are now in act. Environmental politics was put to a hold by lobbies ( why not take a glance on what happened to the car industry). The time has now also come for health care to be reformed and this will inevitably also rivet American companies. American competitiveness has diminished and insurance aspects cannot be of help in this way. Frugal consumption mustn’t be understated. The current crisis has given back great credibility to environmental politics. The rise of oil prices and the lack of natural resources are issues which must be tackled. As a consequence new ways of consumption are born. We now have a strong attention to saving thanks to a careful use of environmental and economic assets. The American middle and upper classes, which have always been role models to society in general, are also changing their standards of living. Change is also starting from here.

twsm What can the western World learn from China, which you define as victorious and why? fr China is victorious because its state capitalism has known how to put forward economic assets which are important to raise growth levels by public investments in infrastructure. Modernization has increased and has gone through testing of new “recipes” in which the environment is the main ingredient and so have renewable energies and green technologies. China is mobilizing all public investment levers thanks to a long term planning and a deep and lucid attention to innovation.

twsm Is the American empire really on the wane in spite of Obama’s messages and “teachings”? fr Obama is re-launching the USA’s prestige and its credibility. The American verve and democracy unfortunately won’t be enough to wane the fall of the USA’s global importance. It faces a bill of exchange which is expiring tied to the effect of the overshadowing public debt. The heavy debts will lead to lowering standards of living meaning the USA will be forevermore dependent of its financial partners and China is at the top of the list. • Information

For publishers wishing to submit new books on HR and organizational issues, please send a summary of the book to: books@theworkstylemagazine

The first issue of The Work Style Magazine is also accompanied by a Best Companies to Work for in Europe ranking for 2009. In autumn 2009, we plan to publish an interesting insert dedicated to new frontiers of scientific research and of disease prevention, by the European Institute of Oncology.

The Editorial Board is eager to receive contributions and suggestions forsubjects to be covered in future issues. Please write to edbo@theworkstylemagazine

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