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Ron Thomas

Ron Thomas is a Principal at StrategyFocusedHR StrategyFocusedHR, a strategic human resources consultancy based in New York. He is certified by the Human Capital Institute as a Master Human Capital Strategist (MHCS) and Strategic Workforce Planner (SWP). He's worked in senior level HR roles with Martha Stewart Living and IBM. Ron serves on the Expert Advisory Council on Talent Management Strategy at the Human Capital Institute, is a member of McKinsey's Quarterly Online Executive Panel, and was named to the HR Hall of Fame by HR Network of New York. Contact him at ronaldtthomas@gmail.com, or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Ronald_thomas.

Articles by Ron Thomas

HR Insights, Training & Development

The Quest for Excellence: It’s Why Learning Never, Ever Ends

by on Jan 30, 2012, 7:45 AM  |  No comments yet
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“I will be glad when this is all over. I will never have to study anything anymore.”

That was a statement from my daughter during finals week in her senior year of college at Penn State. She sounded worn out. As I listened on the other end of the phone, I looked at my watch and realized it was too late to respond to that. I knew she was not in the mood to be receptive.

Last week, I was in Pittsburgh leading two seminars for the Human Capital Institute (I am a faculty member). As I spoke, I kept emphasizing the need for constant learning.

As I thought of that statement I realized the model for professional learning and development has changed tremendously. There once was a time when I would choose to attend a couple of learning events per year. When I returned from them, the vast majority of the time the courseware would eventually end up in the credenza in my office. Read more…

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Leadership, Talent Management

Managing Talent: Why You Should Treat it Like a Marketing Portfolio

by on Jan 23, 2012, 7:45 AM  |  2 Comments
portfolio2

How defined is your brand?

“I have always believed that great brands are built on improving the lives of the people they serve; I wanted to prove that maximum profit and high ideals aren’t incompatible but, in fact, inseparable,” said Jim Stengel, former global marketing officer of Proctor & Gamble and author of GROW.

While reading a recent issue of Advertising Age, I came across an interesting article about branding — not from a qualitative state but from an analytical and quantitative approach. The article was based on work done by Stengel (along with Millward Brown) identifying the 50 fastest growing brands in terms of value and consumer preference.

They designed an analytical, rigorous method that tested corporate ideals as the core of an organization’s success. Their findings were called the Stengel 50 — brands that built the deepest relationships with customers and achieved the greatest financial growth from 2001-2011. Read more…

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Talent Management

Passion & Drive: They’re the Game Changers For Top Performers

by on Jan 17, 2012, 7:47 AM  |  1 comment
© puckillustrations - Fotolia.com

“It would not be enough to keep you interested.”

That statement was told to me by a dear friend who had interviewed with a non-profit and was told this was the reason that she would not be hired. Say what?

When you are in HR you get calls all the time since you are the “resident expert in all things HR” (their words not mine). I had to tell her that this is the first time in my career that I had ever heard that one. She is an accomplished HR consultant who has an excellent career. Read more…

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HR Insights, Talent Management

Can You Hear Me Now? The Impact of Social Media on Your Workforce

by on Jan 9, 2012, 7:42 AM  |  1 comment
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Can you hear me now?

That ubiquitous phrase made famous by Verizon became quite apropos at the end of 2011. After the most embarrassing debacle in history of marketing/pricing, Verizon was forced to backtrack, put their tail between their legs, and somberly walk away from what they thought would be another revenue steam.

Netflix was faced with the same situation in mid-2011.

What was the major connector to both of these events? What was the determining factor that drove them to make an immediate u-turn? The answer: social media. Read more…

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HR Management, Leadership

What to Ask as You Start 2012: Why Would Somebody Work For You?

by on Jan 3, 2012, 7:42 AM  |  No comments yet
Business excellence

As we enter the doors of 2012, the prognosticators have all given their respective thoughts on what is coming into focus for the year.

These are all great readings, but if you have survived these past few years of economic turmoil (and the aftermath), you know that, really, who knows?

All organizations have basically put together their various strategies for either getting back into the game, moving to the next level, or something similar. Some of those strategies will be called into focus as the year progresses. Think Verizon and their slogan —  “Can you hear me now?”

As I read Sunday’s New York Times, there was an article that encapsulated IBM strategy that was devised by Samuel J. Palmisano, who is departing as IBM’s chief. In the article, Palmisano mentioned that he focused on four key questions to drive strategy and growth when he took the helm of IBM. Read more…

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Best of TLNT

A Lesson at Time Inc: How Long Do We Keep Those Out of Touch With the Culture?

by on Dec 30, 2011, 9:30 AM  |  No comments yet
Jack Griffin only lasted six months as CEO of Time Inc.

To Our Readers: This week, TLNT is continuing our annual tradition by counting down the 30 most popular and well-read posts of this past year. This is No. 4. Our regular content will return Monday January 2, 2012.

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It was like a surgeon strategically wielding a scalpel taking out the organ that the body rejected.

“I concluded that his leadership style and approach did not mesh with Time Inc. and Time Warner,” Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes stated in a memo. And with that, it was over and done with.

The Chairman and CEO of Time Inc, Jack Griffin was fired on Thursday evening by Bewkes. Six months was all it took and the decision was made.

As I worked out on Friday morning, this announcement flashed across the TV screens. My reaction? Wow. How many times as HR professionals have we seen that happen? Read more…

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Best of TLNT

Employee Engagement: Why the Small Things Can Really Make a Difference

by on Dec 26, 2011, 8:45 AM  |  No comments yet
little-things

Editor’s Note: This week, TLNT is continuing our annual tradition by counting down the 30 most popular and well-read posts of this past year. This is No. 29. Look for our regular content to return on Monday January 2, 2012.

“There is still hope”

That quote came in an email from a friend last week. He was referring to his company giving all employees Friday off. This was due to the heat wave, which on that day, was projected to be over 100 degrees.

My daughter’s company also gave employees that day off. So as is my wont, I started reaching out to my network and, lo and behold, I found that there were quite a few companies in New York City that were either letting their employees go home half-day or decided to let them stay home with no work at all.

These type initiatives always bring a smile to my face, because they are a kind of human interest stories from the organization. Read more…

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HR Insights, HR Management

Want to Get Your Organization on Track? You’ll Find Passion Is the Key

by on Dec 19, 2011, 7:45 AM  |  No comments yet
passion_1

I worked all my life and never really understood the passion thing until later on.

I had great jobs, I did great work, but I was not passionate. I started out in sales for IBM and held numerous sales positions until I kind of morphed into HR.

I eventually left sales and took a part-time job as a computer trainer. What I learned about myself that I was pretty good at this and I really enjoyed it. By this time I was back at IBM and the powers that be decided I could bring more value to the organization in another role. That role enabled me to work from the client’s site to solve their training needs.

The level of enjoyment I found was gradually rising. My next move was to design training systems and solutions, and on top of that, I was able to work from home full time. By now, I was hooked.

I had found my calling.

Read more…

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HR Management, Leadership

Great Managers, Great Leadership; Think of Them as Engagement Maestros

by on Dec 12, 2011, 7:45 AM  |  2 Comments
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A new VP rides into town for the holidays!

This past week in New York, as in other cities, there were Christmas parties all over town.

In this case, the department got together with drinks, food and holiday festivities. It was a festive occasion with everyone engaged and having a heck of a time. The new VP walks into the room and works it masterfully. He had conversation for everyone; not just fake small talk, but actual conversation with each person about their work and who they were.

A Gen Y person that I know is not satisfied with her job and works for this company. Her complaints were that the job is not challenging and she has nothing to do but basically sit and do make work. She was actively looking for something else, spending lots of time trying to get out. Read more…

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HR Management

The 7 Ways Organizations Justify Bullying in The Workplace

by on Dec 5, 2011, 7:45 AM  |  5 Comments
Bullying in the workplace

“You are fired, Get out! I am not going to pay you for two weeks! Leave now and I mean right this minute.”

Yes, that is the way that it ended. OK, I gave you the ending. Now I will back up and give you the full story.

A friend who had been passively looking for a job finally got an offer, but at the last minute, decided to stay put. A month later, her company was going through layoffs but she was spared — or at least she thought so.

Her manager called her in during this period and told her that while she would not be laid off, they were going to demote her, and on top of that, her salary was going to be cut. She walked out of that meeting dazed. Read more…

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