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Don Herrmann

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Consultant/Founder, THCG

297 points

Senior human resources leader with professional experiences contributing over $50M to the bottom line of my employers. Leading teams, I have successfully made value added contributions resulting in high performing organizations adding positive outcomes to the entire enterprise.

WEB: My company

Don Herrmann and 7 other people answered this question

July 10, 2011

Do you think Gen Y employees are better suited for startups or more established companies?

In my experience "research" such as Susan references is nothing more than mind numbing business stifling stereotyping that does significantly more harm than good. probably helped someone sell a book or two as well but as far as real value added...?
As far as my experience ... more

Customer Service

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 3 other people answered this question

July 8, 2011

Does management by committee work?

Nope. Somebody must be the ultimate decision maker and be accountable for the ultimate decision.

General Management

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 5 other people answered this question

June 15, 2011

What can the federal government do to boost job creation?

Stp passing ridiculous laws and requirements that impede business. Reign in over zealous enforcement actions and get out of the way of business creating jobs. The laws are already there, we don't need more. more

Human Resources

Federal Government

Saleem Qureshi selected a best answer for

Jan. 16, 2011

Why don't more companies utilize pre-employment skills assessments?

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 25 other people answered this question

July 28, 2010

When looking for new employees, how important are degrees vs. experience?

From one Vet to another Richard, thanks.
I don't know what you did in the Corp, I was in the Army (the commercial you are referencing was one I helped create when I was an Army Recruiter - it was a special assignment that has ... more

Human Resources

Degrees Vs. Experience

Don Herrmann answered this question

July 24, 2010

Does employee on leave for ROTC Field Training receive job protection under USERRA or otherwise?

§ 1002.61 of the statute contains the following...
Possibly...some Reserve and National Guard enlisted members use a college ROTC program as a means of qualifying for commissioned officer status. National Guard and Reserve members in an ROTC program may at times, while participating in that ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann answered this question

June 27, 2010

Have you ever experienced sexual harrassment in the workplace, or dealt with someone who has?

As the VP of HR I became aware of these matters as they occured. In the large global company I was in we had our share of these. Only once did I feel that a situation was improperly handled. Most often the situation was well ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 2 other people answered this question

June 21, 2010

Is it legal to keep an activity log on some employees and not all of them?

Interesting. Thank you

Human Resources

Don Herrmann answered this question

June 5, 2010

Organization management consultants?

Depends upon where you are located.
An option for some could actually be your local outplacement agencies (Right Management, Lee Hecht Harrison or some of the more regional ones) They often have in transition executives who would love some project work, are very good at ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 1 other person answered this question

June 3, 2010

How should an applicant respond to an application that asks for date of birth?

There is nothing prohibiting the asking of the question. While recommended that you not ask, it is how the information is used that determines if any lines were crossed. Sometimes DOB is used in background checks; obviously the HS Graduation date would be used when ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 4 other people answered this question

May 27, 2010

Ways to advance my hr career?

It has less to do with studying and more to do with doing. In order to determine your path you need to answer some questions:
1. What industry are you in and is this your desired industry.
2. What "area" of HR are you in ... more

Human Resources

Career Planning

Don Herrmann and 4 other people answered this question

May 26, 2010

Is a human resources degree necessary?

I believe a degree is vital, however, an HR major is less important in the grander scheme of things. (I would discount a major in some other areas as well but that would depend upon the job applied for)
As HR evolves the requirement for ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 11 other people answered this question

May 26, 2010

Do LinkedIn recommendations mean anything to recruiters and employers?

They are a good start. I agree that some component of "give and take" exists but I also feel that those who respond to or offer a recommendation are generally being honest.
How many times have you contacted a reference and sincerely received information that ... more

Human Resources

Information Technology

Don Herrmann and 4 other people answered this question

May 22, 2010

What are the top human resources trends to follow?

I don't necessarily follow trends because, like fads of the month or the latest book by some HR Guru who has never practiced the profession, they tend to fade or gather dust on the bookshelf.
That doesn't mean that the so called trend is bad, ... more

Human Resources

Human Resource Trends

Talent Management

Don Herrmann and 2 other people answered this question

May 19, 2010

How do we adapt our hr strategy?

Our processes didn't change.
I';ve done more than 70 acquisitions from due diligence through post acquisition integration. I've probably donme close to 100 evaluations through due diligence. I comment from that experience.
Depending on your organizations focus and what type of purchase you have a ... more

Human Resources

Human Resource Strategies

Don Herrmann and 6 other people answered this question

May 19, 2010

Is a workforce management system necessary?

I agree it is worth looking into. I would suggest also doing ROI analysis as well as cost benefit analysis. The size of your company is one consideration but also the type of company (service, manufacturing, office/plant/outside work, etc), how you intend to use the ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 1 other person answered this question

May 13, 2010

Work Comp / Disciplinary action

Rarely ever if not never. But that requires more explanation. Why would you discipline someone for filing a claim? Was it because the claim was absolutely proven to be false, as in the person admitted to making a false claim? In that instance it would ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 4 other people answered this question

May 9, 2010

What is the percent gain in profit by hr outsourcing?

The percentage will vary from company to company and outsourced process to outsourced process. I've outsourced processes and received a 7 to 1 return with improved customer service as an added bonus. I've outsourced others at break even for no other reason than to get ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 6 other people answered this question

April 12, 2010

What do you say in a Video Resume?

While the litigious nature of the US is more myth than fact, it can get rather contentious at times. Never the less the tradition of photo's and videos accompanying resumes is not an accepted practice here. It can also lead to the summary rejection of ... more

Human Resources

Don Herrmann and 4 other people answered this question

March 14, 2010

What is the best way to build a pipeline of candidates for the future?

I am not convinced there is a single best way. There are a number of best practices that will build applicant pipelines that can become candidate's and ultimately employees.
I would suggest first and foremost determining how you will manage the pipeline; manually or using ... more

Human Resources

Information Technology

Talent Management

Don Herrmann and 2 other people answered this question

March 7, 2010

Am I professionally responsible for actions taken at the direction of mgmt?

Nik your point is based upon a personal political ideology and not based in business or ethical fact. In short you have no argument to support a lack of ethics and values beyond your political bias.
Consequently there is little value in discussing this issue ... more

Human Resources

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