Comments on: Guest Post – Your Best Talent: Not Just an Asset, But a Machine

By: Georgina Yeboah

Georgina Yeboah — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:01:53 +0000

Thanks Mr. Harper for the article. The failure of managers to see staff development as an investment and not an expense has led to the low value placed on them as assets.
The role employees play in a team to achieve organisational goals must also be recognised. This will also make it easier for managers to invest in them to become effective teamplayers.
Regards

By: Sayan J.S

Sayan J.S — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 05:12:33 +0000

Thanks, Mr.David. I read this first time and its really very much clear about the investment we make in people–and their development–matters to organizations’ effectiveness and bottom line.
Warm Regards
Sayan J.S.

By: David Harper

David Harper — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 20:05:28 +0000

Lynn,
I agree with all your points. The use of the word “machine” is done so with tongue in cheek. It is ironic that although some companies espouse that their people are their most important asset, they treat another asset, namely their machines and equipment, better than their people. As noted in the post, they maintain their machines; they service them; they proctect them from theft, etc. And so the suggestion from the title is if you truly think your people are an asset, at least treat them as well as you treat your machines. Obviously, I would suggest that companies need to go far beyond that. But for many, there is a basic need to realize that they truly do not feel their people are their most important asset. Otherwise their treatment of them would be vastly better.

David Harper

By: Lynn W. McGee, Ph.D.

Lynn W. McGee, Ph.D. — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 14:33:23 +0000

Thanks, David for so clearly pointing out the investment we make in people–and their development–matters to organizations’ effectiveness and bottom line. The use of the term “machine,” may, however, limit the effectiveness of your message.

As many of your southern clients demonstrate so carefully, it is when you and I are treated as people–potentially valuable contributors to a team that is engaged in meaningful work–that our best efforts are elicited. I completely agree that effective leaders invest in training, just as they upgrade the software on their computers. However, all analogies have limitations.

Those leaders who engage their employees at the highest level treat them in a different and better way than machines–because they are infinitely more valuable and capable and creative than machines when truly enthused about the work at hand. Trust and respect–things that don’t matter to machines–make a big difference to people. These managerial attitudes, along with commitment to letting people build their capabilities through training, enhance employee commitment.

Thanks for raising an important issue–and introducing me to the successfactors blog.
The Advisory Alliance’s trademarked “60 Second Emails” are a valuable asset in my reading as well.

Warm regards,
Lynn