They Were Great When You Hired Them
Posted on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 by Frank Roche
There’s a saying in gardening that goes, “If you have to plant a $20 tree, dig a $100 hole.” The idea is that more preparation you do up front influences the growth of that tree years in the future. And it’s not bad advice for new employee orientation.
“Digging a $100 hole” requires a lot more than throwing your employee handbook at a new hire and saying, “Read this.” And a one-day orientation, while a little better, is just that, a little better. Digging a $100 hole should likely be a year-long process. It’ll pay off big later.
That’s something to think about when you’re delivering a bad performance review or terminating someone: They were great when you hired them. What did you do?
John Windsor
Jun 5th, 2007
Great metaphor, Frank!
Frank Roche
Jun 5th, 2007
Thanks, John…I’ve been spending a lot of time in my yard, so my HR thoughts turn to gardening metaphors pretty quickly these days!
robert edward cenek
Jun 5th, 2007
I like the recent use of metaphorical descriptions of the business world. Reminds me of Kosinki’s “Being There,” starring Peter Sellers.
Your post really underscores, and lucidly so, the power of planning and providing for early nuturance.
robert edward cenek, RODP
http://www.cenekreport.com
Uncommon Commentary on the World of Work
robert edward cenek
Jun 5th, 2007
I like the recent use of metaphorical descriptions of the business world. Reminds me of Kosinski’s “Being There,” starring Peter Sellers.
Your post really underscores, and lucidly so, the power of planning and providing for early nuturance.
robert edward cenek, RODP
http://www.cenekreport.com
Uncommon Commentary on the World of Work
Frank Roche
Jun 7th, 2007
Robert, what a great reference to “Being There.” I love that film. That $100 hole sure seems apt for a way to think about early nuturance, as you say. It’s so funny how easy it is to forget to plan early and check often.