Comments on: Simpli: A new cycle begins… http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/ Erica Douglass, "temporarily retired" after selling a successful business at age 26, writes thought-provoking blog entries challenging you to change your life and daring you to become more successful. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:01:05 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Les Sharma http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-539 Les Sharma Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:54:04 +0000 http://www.slashchick.com/?p=161#comment-539 Sounds like you have a good bunch of people working for you! Sounds like you have a good bunch of people working for you!

]]> By: Bryan http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-538 Bryan Wed, 14 Jun 2006 04:10:03 +0000 http://www.slashchick.com/?p=161#comment-538 Er, I meant to say (no preview!) what would your current employees say would make them happy enough to STAY at simpli for a few more years. Er, I meant to say (no preview!) what would your current employees say would make them happy enough to STAY at simpli for a few more years.

]]> By: Bryan http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-537 Bryan Wed, 14 Jun 2006 04:09:07 +0000 http://www.slashchick.com/?p=161#comment-537 I wonder what your current employees would say if you asked them what it would take to make them happy in their current position (waiting until the "exit interview" is too late, in my opinion). After all, any turnover of talent hurts the company - skills and knowledge leave, it takes time to hire and then get the new folks up to speed with the undocumented stuff that the former people knew (I'm not picking on you - this happens everywher). I wonder what your current employees would say if you asked them what it would take to make them happy in their current position (waiting until the “exit interview” is too late, in my opinion).

After all, any turnover of talent hurts the company – skills and knowledge leave, it takes time to hire and then get the new folks up to speed with the undocumented stuff that the former people knew (I’m not picking on you – this happens everywher).

]]> By: Philippe Mesritz http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-536 Philippe Mesritz Tue, 13 Jun 2006 22:09:07 +0000 http://www.slashchick.com/?p=161#comment-536 As you said, entry level positions are very hard to keep. Its actually not just a single industry, but all industries that have that same problem -- a position that can not truly expand and continue to grow (such as a small organization with limited mobility) makes for a difficult position to retain a long term employee. I'm stepping into hiring two employees at the moment and will most likely be faced with similar situations, though in my case there are a few differences since those being hired are sales and have no income limitations based on a salary base. It does make a difference. Continue improving both your business and the employees that work for you, for as long as they do, and you'll be able to continue growing. As you said, entry level positions are very hard to keep. Its actually not just a single industry, but all industries that have that same problem — a position that can not truly expand and continue to grow (such as a small organization with limited mobility) makes for a difficult position to retain a long term employee.

I’m stepping into hiring two employees at the moment and will most likely be faced with similar situations, though in my case there are a few differences since those being hired are sales and have no income limitations based on a salary base. It does make a difference.

Continue improving both your business and the employees that work for you, for as long as they do, and you’ll be able to continue growing.

]]> By: kesuki http://www.erica.biz/2006/simpli-a-new-cycle-begins/comment-page-1/#comment-535 kesuki Tue, 06 Jun 2006 23:11:27 +0000 http://www.slashchick.com/?p=161#comment-535 Turn around is a reality there, simply because the kind of people who might want to hold entry level positions for all their lives can't afford to live in expensive places like silicon valley. Remember not everyone is motivated to compete with everyone. At my most recent job there were a couple really bright and talented people who managed just fine on their 'entry level' jobs, simply because the task was easy to master, perfoming the job well at a sucessful company meant job security, and at least around here, the hourly wages were more than adequate for someone determined to be frugal and live the life of an entry level worker, and because the job was fun. As long as your datacenter is in the heart of the valley, turnaround will be high, because the only people who are worth hiring are those who need a career stepping stone of a several months of OTJ training, and experience with a solid reference for future employment. Turn around is a reality there, simply because the kind of people who might want to hold entry level positions for all their lives can’t afford to live in expensive places like silicon valley. Remember not everyone is motivated to compete with everyone.

At my most recent job there were a couple really bright and talented people who managed just fine on their ‘entry level’ jobs, simply because the task was easy to master, perfoming the job well at a sucessful company meant job security, and at least around here, the hourly wages were more than adequate for someone determined to be frugal and live the life of an entry level worker, and because the job was fun.

As long as your datacenter is in the heart of the valley, turnaround will be high, because the only people who are worth hiring are those who need a career stepping stone of a several months of OTJ training, and experience with a solid reference for future employment.

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