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Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen

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Director HR, BSTDB

110 points

+28yrs overseas working and living experience in Africa, Asia, US, Europe, Management & Leadership skills, HR Specialist, Business Management, extended working experience with international organizations

July 5, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 6 other people answered this question

Is it possible to change an organization's culture while keeping the existing leadership?

I agree with my colleagues. Yet, some critical thoughts are crossing my mind.
The culture of any place of employment is shaped by the individuals within. The Leadership is often seen as being the role model and setting thereby the standard of behavioral traits of this ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Change Management

June 20, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen is speaking at this roundtable

The New Executive: Leadership in a Global Economy

General Management

Human Resources

Global Leadership

June 13, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 8 other people answered this question

Is it necessary to have a career mentor?

Hi Caty, I believe even in today's world it is important to have a Mentor. In Europe we are having many of such programs in the corporate world as well as non-corporate, especially aiming at women and young potentials. Even in serious women magazines such ... more

Human Resources

Career Development

June 3, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen is now following Todd Williams

June 2, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 10 other people answered this question

Why don't all companies hold exit interviews?

Dear Caty, I believe this is simply due to not understanding the benefit an EI brings to any employer. Naturally, one has to be rather sensitive and top notch filtering the received information. Some organizations conduct such interviews face-to-face others anonymously on-line. In any event, ... more

Human Resources

Employee Turnover

June 1, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen answered this question

Do you offer career planning advice to your entry level employees?

Hi Caty,
career planning is important at all levels within an organization. Consequently, within the first 6 months one observes the new staff member and afterwards begins to guide. Also, it depends on the staff member. If he/she shows ambitions immediately upon starting the job ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Career Development

Career Planning

June 1, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 7 other people answered this question

What's the most important quality of an effective HR professional?

Listening & empathy skills (if one takes from your Q that he/she is a top professional).
Looking at the answers above, one can aask: can we really just single out 1 'quality'? more

Human Resources

Talent Management

June 1, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 3 other people answered this question

What questions should you ask when interviewing a potential supervisor?

Hi,
I agree with Mark and yes, there are so many Qs one can ask.
I would also ask to present specific examples. I would also ask Qs about loyalty, integrity and abuse of authority.
One well practiced method is: presenting an example of a given situation and ... more

Human Resources

Interview Questions

June 1, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 5 other people answered this question

How can you tell if you're micromanaging your employees?

By not having enough time doing your own work. By not presenting the performance expected of one. By experiencing that the staff is demotivated and deliberately slows productivity or makes mistakes. By noticing that every single work produced by staff is double checked by oneself. ... more

General Management

Human Resources

May 6, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 5 other people answered this question

How do you show your employees that they're appreciated?

I show my appreciation by thanking my staff in person, prais him/her in front of others, do floor management, a 'clap on the shoulder', encourage/motivate my staff by offering training opportunities, participation in Conferences, etc. but also taking them out for a treat and in ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Employee Appreciation

Employee Engagement

April 4, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 12 other people answered this question

Why do CEOs feels HR plays a small role in organization's success?

Thanks Wayne, I know that international organizations are a bit different from the corporate world. Yet, when it comes to the CEO level, we are all faced with pretty much the same misconception and not being recognized. As said before, we = HR, must work ... more

March 30, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 11 other people answered this question

What value does an exit interview hold for a manager and organization?

The Exit Interview rightly and sensitive applied serves as a good tool for any employer finding out their market standing. Individuals are not always leaving because they are unhappy with the employer. Numerous factors leading to such a decision and an employer can extract valuable ... more

Human Resources

Human Resource Jobs

March 28, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 4 other people answered this question

What is your technique for rating employee performance?

Performance measuring is result based. Yet, one shouldn't overlook the soft skill, often hard to measure.
Performance can, often is, measured by ratings (either 3, 4 or 5 ratings) ranging from unacceptable til outstanding. A Bell-Curve approach is found in many organizations, as incentives/rewards are ... more

General Management

Feb. 8, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 11 other people answered this question

Is it possible to become good friends with your staff while maintaining your position of leadership?

Hi Justin,
I wouldn't totally outrule the possibility. Yet, once one is becoming a boss, supervising a friend, it is next to impossible to remain a true, good friend. The position is demanding and requires a different behavior and addresses loyalty in a different context. ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Feb. 1, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 8 other people answered this question

Employee Performance Best Practices: What are your 3 tips for giving an annual performance review?

In additon to the above:
The APR is the acumulation of the total performance of a staff member which should be monitored throughout the year, reflecting on the achievements as well as the areas in need of improvement.
The APR is a formal process, such ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Employee Conduct

Jan. 25, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 5 other people answered this question

What type of employee terrifies you the most and how do you deal with those employees?

Staff who is not recognizing that everyone makes mistakes, no harm in admitting it and finding solutions instead of just drilling on problems and ending up all day long gossipping instead of finding solutions and making them work. How to deal with such situations, many ... more

Human Resources

Management Best Practices

Jan. 18, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 2 other people answered this question

How do you know if your organization has a "performance-based" culture??

The Performance Management System (PMS) is linked with the Balanced Scorecard. All staff receive KPIs and work against deliverables. If the organizational strategy & Business Plan is 'translated' into KPIs, those being cascaded from the CEO to the last staff member, the outcome is mesured ... more

Human Resources

Cultural Change

Organizational Development

Performance Management Process

Jan. 12, 2011

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 3 other people answered this question

It is assumed that strategic HRM improves performance. So why don't more organisations implement it?

HR has still to gain its place on the Board table. Often HR staff is not thinking like Business Managers and are shying away from being pro-active. The Business Strategy/Plan are guiding documents and need to be well understood by HR professionals if they want ... more

Human Resources

Dec. 9, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 2 other people answered this question

How much health coverage does a typical company provide?

One has to differentiate between company and international organziations. The latter are providing various different packages. Such include also post retirment insurance for the staff member. In general, the insurance can be paid by the employer 100% or split between employer & employee. The coverage ... more

Human Resources

Benefits Package

Nov. 29, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 30 other people answered this question

Best Practices in Reducing Employee Turnover: What are your 3 tips for reducing employee turnover?

1. Right staff at thh right time in the right place = right recruitment
2. Learning & Development / clear career path = applying Lifelong Learning supported by coachign & mentoring and an enabling working environment
3. Remuneration & Compensation programs supported by Work-Life program ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Employee Turnover

Nov. 12, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 9 other people answered this question

How do you mediate employee disputes?

Hi, I agree with with the approaches by John & Guy. I want to caution though, as Mediation is by now a Profession and numerous techniques being applied. The nature of the conflict has to be evalauted and one should carefully weigh if one has ... more

Human Resources

Employee Conduct

Employee Morale

Nov. 12, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 11 other people answered this question

How do I tell my manager that I disagree with his operations style?

Hi, reading the above, I agree with both Johns.
In addition I would recommend: Make yourself a check list. What are your critical about/dislike and why; what do you like / why. Based on this, check your own personality, keeping in mind we all are ... more

Human Resources

Employee Contribution

Operations Development

Nov. 12, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 6 other people answered this question

Where do you draw the line with a verbal 'HR violation?'

Hi, I agree with Guy. In addition one has to be cultural sensitive (where applicable) but also should ensure that training is provided, clear understanding of limits communicated and guarding Policies in place. If staff/people do not adhere it is the responsibility of the supervisor/HR ... more

Human Resources

Employee Conduct

Employee Relations

Nov. 9, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen recommends this answer by Eric Britten

What advice do you have for those looking to be proactive towards managing their own career today?

Brad:
Much of what Anke wrote aligns with my thoughts. Here are some ideas:
1. Identify your goals. Start with identifying your goals, not just career goals, but your life goals. You can't think about a career unless you understand where your career fits in your life ... more

Human Resources

Career Development

Nov. 2, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 7 other people answered this question

Want to recruit my first employee, what do I need to do?

You need to clearly state the mission of the company, the goals, what is to be achieved, clearly state expectations and how achievements are being measured, time span; phasing the new staff into the jobs (takes between 3-6 months, recommended a buddy program or coaching), ... more

Human Resources

Recruitment / Staffing

Nov. 2, 2010

Anke Borngraeber-Berthelsen and 1 other person answered this question

What skills are necessary in a good procurement manager?

Hi Mark,
this may help:
Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning through knowledge sharing and supporting a learning culture in the office; in-depth knowledge on subject matter; advocating and providing policy advice; acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; ability to lead procurement processes, ... more

Human Resources

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