Kuala Lumpur CTO Summit - How to fire employees

FINDING YOUR INNER HATCHET MAN

7 WAYS GREAT ENTREPRENEURS FIRE EMPLOYEES

Eric TachibanaProfessional Services, Area Practice Manager for Asia

QUICK SCOPE CHECK

FIRING CIRCUMSTANCE COVERED TODAY?Performance Gaps YESContractual Breaches NORetrenchment NO

GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF FIRINGEveryone is a star in some role

As a manager, your responsibility is to help them in their search for that role

KICK-OFF QUESTIONWhat is the first step in firing well?

0 1

SOURCE WELL

0 1

SOURCE WELL

• What will they be doing in their role? • How will success be measured• What skills will they need in order to

succeed? What do they need coming in, and what can be trained

• What personal qualities will help them excel?• Make objectives SMART• Select the right interviewers and pre-brief

them

0 2

INVEST IN EVALUATION

0 2

INVEST IN EVALUATION

• Be regular• Be honest, explicit, fair, and listen• Stay positive and future focused• Document

Suggestion: I do mine quarterly

0 3

INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT

0 3

INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT

CATEGORY OF WORKERSTARSPOTENTIALSWORK HORSESUNDER ACHIEVERS

0 3

INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT

CATEGORY OF WORKER

% OF YOUR TEAM IN THIS CATEGORY

STARS 10%POTENTIALS 30%WORK HORSES 50%UNDER ACHIEVERS 10%

0 3

INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT

CATEGORY OF WORKER

% OF YOUR TEAM IN THIS CATEGORY

YOUR BUDGET

STARS 10% 50%POTENTIALS 30% 30%WORK HORSES 50% 20%UNDER ACHIEVERS 10% 0%

0 3

INVEST IN DEVELOPMENT

CATEGORY OF WORKER

% OF YOUR TEAM IN THIS CATEGORY

YOUR BUDGET

YOUR TIME

STARS 10% 50% 10%POTENTIALS 30% 30% 50%WORK HORSES 50% 20% 20%UNDER ACHIEVERS 10% 0% 20%

Suggestion: I prune annually

CHECKPOINT ONE!Scribble down one thing you can do differently from tomorrow onwards based on the first 3 rules

1. Source Well2. Invest in Evaluation3. Invest in Development

0 4

PREPARE BEFORE YOU SWING THE AXE

0 4

PREPARE BEFORE YOU SWING

• Know the law• Have your script, FAQ and other materials

(like tissue paper) ready• Know the severance package details• Choose the right environment & day• Ensure security protocols and know walk-out

policy• Rehearse

0 5

BE HONEST & EMPATHETIC

0 5

BE CLEAR, HONEST & EMPATHETIC

• Let the employee have air time, but don’t apologize or back peddle

• Let the employee compose himself/herself• Keep to the plot. Be clear, quick & firm,

it’s not a discussion or argument

CHECKPOINT TWO!Scribble down one thing you can do differently from tomorrow onwards based on the last 2 rules

4. Prepare before you swing the axe5. Be clear, honest and empathetic

0 6

CLEAN UP THE BLOOD

0 6

CLEAN UP THE BLOOD

• Exit interview• Leavers processes• Huh? What happened?

0 7

SETTLE THE SURVIVORS

0 7

SETTLE THE SURVIVORS

• Respect the privacy of individuals, but debrief the team

• De-stress the firing team. Don’t go home and kick your dog!

Even if you know it is coming and you know it is right, it is still traumatic for absolutely

everyone

CHECKPOINT THREE!Scribble down one thing you can do differently from tomorrow onwards based on the last 2 rules

6. Clean up the blood7. Settle the survivors

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Eric Tachibana @ Linked-inERICTACH@AMAZON.COM