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HR Gardening Tip of the Day: Dig a $100 Hole
May 27
There’s a saying in gardening that’s the best advice I’ve ever received: If you buy a $20 plant, dig a $100 hole.
What that means is preparing the hole is the more important than the plant itself. If you dig a hole that’s not big enough, the plant ends up root bound. If you dig it too deep, the plant fades. If you dig it too shallow, the plant dries out and withers. But, oh, when you dig a $100 hole: magnificence.
That’s a picture up there of the garden path leading to my backyard. I’ve dug a lot of $100 holes. And that made me wonder today as I was up to my elbows in peat moss and loam: When a company hires a new employee, do they dig a $100 hole? If not, it’s no wonder that the employee fades. All plants look so great when you get them all shiny and new. If they don’t work out, whose fault is that?
HR gardening tip of the day: If you buy a $20 plant, dig a $100 hole.
About the Author
Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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Let’s say the plant is more like $7.99 tops…would a $39.95 hole be ok?
Brilliant thoughts. I think HR and ROI on recruitment is best expressed here, though subtly.
HR Wench, you make a good point. If you want to dig a smaller hole, buy a cheaper plant. However, I do recommend rounding up to the nearest dollar for the hole size.
I take this to mean that for all employees you should prepare for their on-boarding and help them grow in their careers. I agree. Having worked in consulting most of my life, I have found that these companies expect you to dig your own hole once you get there. The cost in lost productivity and engagement is large.
Also, working with executives I find that that not only does a realy big hole get dug since the plant is expensive but the ratio of plant to hole cost increases. (This is a tough analogy to maintain.)
Lastly, since you frequently recommend hiring superstars, for those folk the hole must be truly large and deep.
I agree with you 100% directionally but at some point the ROI does need to be a factor.
btw. fantastic yard
Congratulations! This post was selected as one of the five best business blog posts of the week in my Three Star Leadership Midweek Review of the Business Blogs.
http://blog.threestarleadership.com/2008/05/28/52808-a-midweek-look-at-the-business-blogs.aspx
Wally Bock
That picture is beautiful. Great advice, btw.
Rick, you’re right. I think it’s about preparing them to be there. But beyond that, it’s about the systems needed to allow people to be successful. It’s funny, because really qualified people get hired into a bad system and then they fade. I say get your house in order — dig a $100 hole. That’s always a good investment.