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This week, Jim and Steve take a step back and let a professional do the interviewing. Stuart Lauchlin, a technology journalist. He recently wrote an article for HR Zone about SuccessFactors.

In addition, Stuart attended SuccessConnect 2008 and conducted an audio interview with the Founder and CEO of SuccessFactors, Lars Dalgaard. Stuart was kind enough to let us play the interview for all our listeners.

Don’t forget to give us feedback on this episode or any of our podcasts by leaving us a voicemail at (206)203-4521, dropping us an email at podcast@successfactors.com or by reviewing us in the iTunes Music Store.

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Dr. Steve and Jim met up with author Bob Sutton (Bio) at SuccessConnect 2008. Shortly after his well received keynote session (watch here), Bob joined us for an interview in the Mobile People Performance Radio room.

Listen in as two Organizational Psychologist PHD’s talk about what defines an asshole in the workplace, how to avoid them and how to prevent breeding them. If there was ever an episode of PP Radio to not miss - this would be it!

Bob Sutton’s Bio

Robert Sutton is Professor of Management Science and Engineering in the Stanford Engineering School. He has written over 125 thought leading articles, and written several books including BusinessWeek bestseller The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t (Warner Business Books, 2007). Sutton’s blog is Work Matters and can be found at http://bobsutton.typepad.com.

Sutton received his Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from The University of Michigan and has served on the Stanford faculty since 1983. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous scholarly publications, and as an editor for the Administrative Science Quarterly and Research in Organizational Behavior. Sutton was also named as one of 10 “B-School All-Stars” by BusinessWeek in 2007, which they described as “professors who are influencing contemporary business thinking far beyond academia.”

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Today’s show is focused on achievable top line growth through the use of SuccessFactors Performance & Talent Management solution. In a different format from the norm, Stacey Epstein interviews Jay Larson, the Global VP of Sales at SuccessFactors.

The discussion centered around the recent study conducted by Saugatuck Technology Inc., a leading SaaS (software-as-a-Service) consulting and research service. Saugatuck studied all public customers with 500 or more employees that have been using SuccessFactors for at least 3 full quarters and found that at least 2-3% top line growth is attributable to the usage of SuccessFactors.

This report confirms what we have believed all along – setting and aligning goals throughout the organization, measuring and managing employee performance, compensating employees based on their results, and focusing on making great use of talent across the organization directly lead to better financial results.

Download Saugatuck Study and then contact SuccessFactors so you too can achieve top line growth for your company.

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In The News

Shaky Personal Finances Can Impact Job Performance

Despite Success, There Are Reasons to Be Wary of Referral Programs

Talent Management Software-—Style Over Substance

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In The News

Employees Who Play “Grand Theft Auto” - Good or Bad Thing?

The Intersection of Web 2.0 and Talent Management Best Buy/Geek Squad exchanges best practices and solving problems using online multiplayer games, such as Battlefield 2

Consolidation of recruiting vendors - read article

Main Topic: Talent Management Technology

In today’s main topic Dr. Steve preaches about Talent Management Technology. The Doc defines it as tools that are all about shaping, influencing and prediction employee behavior. The are three areas that make up Talent Management Technology: Performance Management, Learning Management and Recruiting Management

Towards the end of the show we discussed very high level regarding web based technology and SaaS. We focused more on benefits to employees, and did not get into the details from an IT perspective, but more information can be found here: Software As A Service

Don’t forget to check out the upcoming SuccessFactors Global User Conference: SuccessConnect

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Main Topic

In this episode we discuss the importance of creating goals that are SMART when building a goal plan. Jim and Steve put together a few goals for People Performance Radio using the SMART Goal Methodology.

SMART Goals & Objectives must be
S - Specific
Is there a description of a precise or specific behavior / outcome which is linked to a rate, number, percentage or frequency?

M - Measurable
Is there a reliable system in place to measure progress towards the achievement of the objective?

A - Achievable
With a reasonable amount of effort and application can the objective be achieved?

R - Relevant
Can the people with whom the objective is set make an impact on the situation? Do they have the necessary knowledge, authority and skill?

T - Time-Framed
Is there a finish and/or a start date clearly stated or defined?

SuccessFactors Employee Goal Management module is a great tool to help your team develop SMART Goals and align them across your company.

Interview: First Reliance Bank
In addition, the interview for the week was with Pamela A. Anderson, Senior VP, People Management at First Reliance Bank (Pamela’s LinkedIn Profile)

Press Release: First Reliance Bank Achieves Company-wide Goal Alignment with SuccessFactors

First Reliance Bank, founded in 1999, has assets of approximately $500 million, and employs over 170 highly talented associates. The bank serves the Upstate, Midlands, Piedmont, Low Country, Grand Strand, and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. The bank has been recognized for its success including being the only company ever to be named to The Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies(TM) in South Carolina four times including 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 (SC Chamber/Elliott Davis. In June 2007, the bank was added to the Palmetto 25, a list of S.C.’s largest publicly held companies. In 2006 and 2007, the bank was also recognized as One of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina by the SC Chamber of Commerce. First Reliance Bank offers Totally FREE Checking, Totally FREE Business, FREE Coin Machines, a Nationwide NO FEE ATM Network, Same Day Banking, and a 5 Way Mortgage Service Promise. It also offers 8-8 Mon.-Sat. Extended Hours in all of their Florence locations. Its Easy to Do Business With(TM) standard has earned the young bank a customer satisfaction rating of 96% (Performance Solutions-June 2007-Audited). First Reliance Bank is traded as FSRL.OB.

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Your hosts Jim Matheson and Steve Hunt discuss how honesty gets tricky when it comes to 360 Feedback while Dave De Jear conducts an interview with Sandy Turausky From Residential Credit Solutions

360 Degree Feedback
No specific web links were discussed during the show, however here a couple key links worth checking out if you’d like to dig deeper on the subject of Multi-Rater feedback.

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In the first episode of People Performance Radio, your hosts Jim Matheson and Steve Hunt do quick introductions and run through the news while Dave De Jear conducts an interview with Mark Allen From Lifelock

Steve Hunt
Steve’s Bio
SuccessFactors Thought Leader Network
Buy Steve’s Book “Hiring Success“

News Stories
De-motivated workers | British companies in crisis
Should You Reward Managers With Low Turnover?

Interview: Lifelock
Mark Allen (LinkedIn Profile)
Lifelock implements SuccessFactors to align with corporate growth

LifeLock(R) (www.lifelock.com) helps consumers to render their personal information useless to thieves, backing up its service with a one million-dollar service guarantee. Famous for its CEO giving out his Social Security Number in advertising and national press, the company is experiencing astounding growth. Located in a secure facility in Tempe, Arizona, LifeLock is a private company backed by Goldman Sachs, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, as well as Bessemer Venture Partners. Winner of the 2007 American Business Award for the Best Radio Advertising Campaign, LifeLock was a finalist for 10 other ABA awards, including Best New Company and Best New Product/Service. Recently the company was named recipient of the Red Herring 100 Global Award as one of the Top 100 start-up’s in the world.