Since I am an avid follower of news, I found out this news yesterday:
Google execs have asked Google managers to fire 6% of the Google workforce. But not just fire.
The managers are to designate this 6% of the Google workforce as poor performers.
These poor performers won’t just lose their jobs, but might also lose their stock options — and probably their self-esteem. I mean, just think of the shame of it.
“So why did you leave Google?”
“As a matter of fact, I was designated a poor performer. But I was thinking of making a change anyhow. So tell me more about this new role you’re looking to fill. I’m very excited about it.”
This might seem like a very evil tactic by Google.
But the fact is, if you spin it right, then it’s probably true that many of that those 6% really were poor performers. Maybe they got a bit lazy, a bit demotivated, a bit entitled. At least more so than the other 96% who got to keep their jobs and their “adequate performer” status.
I bring this up because what’s good for the Google is good for the gander.
I mean, the same underlying attitude that Google adopted is often adopted in the space that’s much nearer to me — the space of marketing influencers, copywriting coaches, online gurus. And in case it’s not clear, that attitude is:
If some people are bad for business, then demonize them.
You can see a playbook of how to do it in the Google story above.
The thing is, if you think about this evil tactic a bit, you might figure out a way to use it not just to lower people’s self-esteem — but to raise it also.
How to do this is something I will explain in my upcoming Age of Insight training.
The deadline to register for Age of Insight is approaching fast: this coming Wednesday, Nov 30 at 12 midnight PST. That’s just four days away.
And here’s one thing that always gets me:
Whenever I put on an offer, I always make the deadline clear, and make it clear won’t be letting people in after the deadline.
And yet, there are always a few Tommy Boy characters — puffing and panting like Chris Farley at the start of Tommy Boy, late for school, bumbling forward in a big hurry, bumping into things, dropping their lunch and schoolbooks, checking their watches in a panic, finger up in the air to try to catch the bus driver’s attention — and still missing the school bus and getting left behind in the dust.
Don’t be a Tommy Boy. Or Tommy Girl.
I am only making my live Age of Insight training available to people on my email newsletter. In case you are interested in this offer, then don’t be Tommy Boy. Or Tommy Girl. Get on the bus while there’s still time.