CFOs and their relationship with HR - A Survey

If you have been reading my blogs over the past while, you may know that I blog about CFOs, their careers, and the relationships they have with others.

Our last survey in the Fall of 2010 was on CFOs and their relationships with Lawyers. You can read more about the results of this survey here. The survey was a success, and we continue to present these results to law firms so they can learn more about CFOs and what they are thinking.

For the past while I have been considering doing another survey about CFOs and what they think about the HR (Human Resources) function. And then I read this ‘joke’ that has been repeated ad nauseum over social media (I’ve seen it numerous times on Twitter and LinkedIn).

CFO asks CEO "What happens if we invest in developing our people & then they leave us?" CEO: 'What happens if we don't, and they stay?

Now personally, I think do not think that this ‘joke’ is funny. I don’t think it’s funny because from my experience meeting with CFOs on a regular basis, I find them to generally be not only capable business people, but considerate and caring for the people in their organization. CFOs get the value of people – they always have and they always will.

However, a dynamic I constantly see in organizations is the CFO/HR divide. And rather than pontificate on the subject (right now), I would like your feedback.

If you are a CFO or senior finance professional in your organization, please complete our survey at your earliest convenience. It will only take 10 minutes of your time.

Thank you in advance,

Samuel

Why companies have unfilled jobs

My fellow blogger, Cindy Kraft of CFO-Coach, was kind enough to ask me my thoughts on this topic, which she blogged about.

Her starting point was a recent SmartBrief poll, in which 72.5% of surveyed companies indicated they had unfilled openings.

My first impression on seeing the poll was that companies that are looking to hire will have unfilled job openings. Only those companies that are not hiring will not have unfilled jobs, because they are not hiring. I believe the poll would be more effective asking: "How long does it take to fill your open job positions?"

Cindy brings up a great point in saying that she believes the hiring process is broken. I agree. Many companies are not properly going about a recruitment process that works.

For a hiring process to be effective, it needs to have the following elements:

Outreach – Many companies have recognized the importance of building stronger corporate recruitment strategies, and they are doing so. However, even with these stronger tactics, organizations cannot properly reach the candidates needed. Search firms are able to fill positions because they are able to outreach to the right candidate pool. This outreach component is a necessary element to a successful search.

Sales – The company AND the job needs to be sold. Many employers make the poor assumption that the company and the job sell themselves. Potential candidates for any job need to truly understand the value of the company and job and how it fits into their life and career.

Match – Matching a candidate to a job and a company is not an easy task, yet many employers use gut feel and resume key word matching to the job description to assess appropriateness of a candidate for a job. Many companies focus on assessing the candidate for how they match the company, and not assessing how the company matches to the candidate’s needs and values.

Offer – We consistently see this area as the place where the wheels fall off. Regardless how effective the rest of the recruitment process is, being successful at the offer stage gets you the placement. The pieces necessary for a successful accepted offer need to begin at the beginning of the process, not at the end. Acceptance of an offer is much more than just about salary.

Companies wishing to ensure a more successful hiring process need to ensure they have these four elements. Using an experienced internal or external search partner can improve the process. However, it is the ultimate responsibility of the hiring authority to ensure that the process is effective.

(I would like to thank my colleague Bethany LaMorre for her valuable input in preparing this blog).

Twitter Me This – Recruiting in 140 characters?

“Feel... Felt… Found…” Three words one of my business partners, Jonathan Buzelan (Twitter: @buzelan) stressed to me as he helped develop my sales skills. “You need to see their side, before you can bring them to yours,” he would say. “Let your client know you understand how they feel. If you ever felt that way, tell them; and finally, share with them what you learnt that got you to think differently.” The philosophy was simple, as he explained it, “changing someone’s mindset can be a near impossibility, but if you provide them with new information, then they may be willing to form a new opinion.” Why try to convince someone of your truth when it easier to get them to discover it on their own. And what in the world does this have to do with Twitter?

When I first started exploring social media groups I was not convinced that it had any use beyond the obvious: sharing photos of my children at the lake with friends and family. I was convinced that this was the limit of its power. The idea that social media sites could help develop business relationships or any “real” relationship for that matter did not seem possible. I knew Linkedin existed but I thought of it as nothing more than an online rolodex that at the time was still in its infancy.

As the popularity of social media sites grew, I made it my business to learn more about them. I was already sharing much of my personal life on Facebook and details about my professional life on Linkedin. But what was completely unclear to me was the value and worth of the social media site or better yet “social media tool” called “Twitter”. What value could a billboard like tool which limits you to a 140 characters deliver?

At first glance, Twitter seems like the least significant of all the three Social media tools. But what I learned was that Twitter is a lot more powerful than people realize. As the Practice Leader for CFO2Grow’s CFO Search practice one of my goals is to be top of mind for CFOs, CEOs, Board Members, Investors and other business leaders in my online and offline community. Having been in the Financial Recruiting business for over 10 years and in the finance world for 20, I have developed many incredible contacts from which I have learned much. Being top of mind comes from sharing that knowledge base and experience and then delivering that relevant content to my network.

Twitter is much more than an electronic billboard; it is the way I reach out to the online world. In 140 characters, the snippet of content I send out becomes a form of free advertising about a blog (like this one), an article I read, a new job posting, a Facebook or LinkedIn update, or even just a retweet that I can easily share with my network . And the more interesting and relevant my tweets, the more people are likely to click through and read on. Providing relevant and informative content is part and parcel of being top of mind, and staying there.

A 2010 Jobvite Social Recruiting Survey stated that while 78% of companies and recruiters use LinkedIn for recruiting and 54% use Facebook, Twitter sits at a respectable 3rd place with 44%. While there is no question that LinkedIn will continue to be the lead choice for recruiters and their companies, as Twitter grows in popularity it has the potential to surpass Facebook in its relevance to the online recruiting community. The Jobvite study further stated that while Facebook use for recruiting grew 15%, Twitter’s popularity has gone up by 32%. Harnessing Twitter’s potential is the next big thing for the recruiting community.

So if you are still scratching your head at the thought of being Twitter user, then let me say this, “I understand how you feel, because that is how I felt, but let me tell you what I found out.”

Follow us on Twitter @cfo2grow. (To follow Samuel go to Twitter @cfo2dergel)

(“Twitter Me This - Recruiting in 140 characters?” is part of an ongoing discussion on Social Media and recruiting. Here are 2 more related Blogs you may be interested in reading: “What Your LinkedIn Profile Says About You”, and “Is Facebook a Career Killer?”)

Canadian CFOs on the Move – week ended July 16, 2010

Precision Drilling Corporation (TSX: PD) announced the appointment of Robert McNally as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Doug Strong, currently Chief Financial Officer of Precision, will become President, Completion and Production Services.

Absolute Software Corp. (TSX: ABT) announced that Rob Chase is moving from his position as chief financial officer of the company to take on the role of chief operating officer. Joining Absolute is Errol Olsen, who has been appointed CFO. Mr. Olsen joins Absolute from Inetco Systems, where he has served as CFO since 2008. He has previously held senior finance roles at Explorer Software, Pivotal Corp. and Infowave Software.

MetalCORP Limited (TSX-V: MTC) announced that Mr. Sam Garofalo, H.B. Comm., CA, CMA, will be joining MetalCORP as the Chief Financial Officer, to replace Michael Thompson who has tendered his resignation from the Company to take effect after a reasonable transition period. Mr. Garofalo is currently the CFO for Rockex Limited, a privately-owned developing mining company, and is a Professor of Accounting at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. He has worked as an auditor with Ernst & Young, Chartered Accountants, and served as CFO for several private companies.

Vecima Networks Inc. (TSX: VCM) announced the appointment of Mr. John Hanna to Chief Financial Officer and the appointment of Vecima's former CFO, Mr. Mike Barry, to President of YourLink, Vecima's wholly owned wireless internet service provision company. Previously, Mr. Hanna was an executive at iFire Technology, where he was VP Finance & Administration.

The Churchill Corporation (TSX: CUQ) announced that following the acquisition of Seacliff Construction Corp, Mr. Daryl Sands is the Executive Vice President Finance & CFO.

ZENN Motor Company Inc. (TSX-V: ZNN) announced the appointment of Larry A. Goldberg as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Goldberg succeeds Lawrence Schreiner who served as ZMC's CFO from 2006 and who steps down on July 30, 2010. Mr. Goldberg previously held the positions of Executive Vice-President and CFO of Pinetree Capital Ltd. as well as CFO of Mega Uranium Ltd., both TSX-listed companies.

Postmedia Network Inc., which purchased the newspaper assets of CanWest, announced a number of executive appointments in the newly formed company, including the appointment of Doug Lamb as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President.

Sterling Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SLG) announced the appointment of David Blewden to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing Ian Hornby-Smith who is retiring but will remain in a supporting capacity in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Redzone Resources Limited (TSX: REZ) announced the appointment of Ms. Pauline Pasetka to the non-board position of Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Pasetka replaces Redzone's former CFO Peter Miller. Ms. Pasetka was formerly a Director of Brett Resources Inc., a mineral exploration company, until its recent acquisition by Osisko Mining Corporation. Prior to this, Ms. Pasetka has held positions as Chief Financial Officer or Controller of mining companies listed on the TSX Exchange and AIM of the London Stock Exchange.

Cirrus Energy Corporation (TSX-V: CYR) announced the resignation of Ms. Pamela Orr, Chief Financial Officer.

ERA Carbon Offsets Ltd., (TSX-V: ESR), announced that Mr. Jeff Calvert has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the company. Mr. Herrick Lau has resigned as CFO effective July 15, 2010.

Estrella International Energy Services Ltd. (TSX-V: EEN) announced that Bryan Kornegay will resign effective August 15th as a director and the Chief Financial Officer, and that Christian Bauwens will be appointed a director of the company and the Chief Financial Officer effective August 15th concurrent with the resignation of Mr. Kornegay.

If you have news about CFO’s on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Canadian CFO’s on the Move – week ended July 9, 2010

Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) announced the appointment of Robert Whittall to the position of CFO of Excellon Resources Inc. Mr. Whittal has worked most recently with Volta Resources Inc. as Chief Financial Officer where he was also a founder and director. He has also held senior financial management positions with TVX Gold Inc., as Vice President, Finance and Rio Algom Limited and Anvil Range Mining over the course of his career.

Stonegate Agricom Ltd. (TSX: ST) announced the appointment of Germaine Coombs as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 1, 2010. Ms. Coombs replaces William E. Jupp, who has resigned as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Coombs was most recently the Corporate Controller of FNX Mining Company Inc., and previously held increasingly senior accounting roles in operations and corporate finance with the Iron Ore Company of Canada, a Rio Tinto company.

International Minerals Corporation (TSX: IMZ, Swiss: IMZ) announced that Mr. Eric Edwards has resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) in order to pursue other business opportunities. In the interim, IMZ’s Controller, Mr. Scott Weger, will be acting in the role of CFO.

Greystar Resources Ltd. (TSX:GSL, AIM:GSL) announced the appointment of David Newbold as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company effective August, 2010. David spent eleven years (1995-2006) at Placer Dome Inc. where he held positions of increasing responsibility including Senior Vice President, Commercial; Senior Vice President Strategy, Placer Dome America; President & CEO, Zaldivar Copper Mine; and Senior Vice President and CFO, Placer Dome Latin America. Prior to Placer Dome David spent several years at Outokumpu holding various finance positions.

Innovative Wireline Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: ALH) announced that Cameron Bawol has replaced Ray Charron as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Trueclaim Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: TRM) announced that it has hired Mr. Stephen Holmes, CA as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX: PNP) announced that Larry Goldberg, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has resigned effective August 15, 2010 to pursue other business interests. Gerry Feldman, C.A., Pinetree's Vice President, Corporate Development, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer upon Mr. Goldberg's departure.

Mega Uranium Ltd. (TSX:MGA) announces that Larry Goldberg, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, has resigned effective August 15, 2010 to pursue other business interests. While the Company undertakes a search for Mr. Goldberg's replacement, Gerry Feldman, C.A., will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer upon Mr. Goldberg's departure. Mr. Feldman is currently Chief Financial Officer of Brownstone Ventures Inc. and is a senior officer and director of other TSX and TSX Venture Exchange-listed issuers.

If you have news about CFO’s on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Canadian CFO’s on the Move – week ended July 2, 2010

CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA, AMEX: MBA) appointed Dennis Huang as the Chief Financial Officer of CIBT, replacing Tim Leong, who has resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Leong has been appointed as the VP of Finance and Accounting of CIBT and will continue to provide accounting, financial and administrative services to the Company.

FMX Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: FXX-H) announced that it has appointed Carmelo Marrelli as its Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Marrelli replaces Jon Kelly who has resigned to pursue other interests. Mr. Marrelli holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Certified General Accountant.

US Silver Corporation (TSX-V: USA, OTCQX: USSIF, Frankfurt: QE2) announced the appointment of Christopher J. Hopkins as the Company's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing Joseph Rauhala. Mr. Hopkins most recently served Excellon Resources Inc. as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hopkins has twenty-five years of experience in financial planning and analysis, accounting, financial reporting, and corporate finance. This includes seven years of combined experience as a Chief Financial Officer.

Lumina Copper Corp. (TSX-V: LCC) announced that Martin Rip has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Sandra Lim, who is retiring from the position. Mr. Rip is a Chartered Accountant with 10 years experience in the mineral resource sector and joins Lumina having served previously as Chief Financial Officer for a Canadian resource company.

Sinchao Metals Corp. (TSX-V: SMZ) announced the appointment of Bruce Ramsden as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Ramsden has been a Vice President and CFO with noted resource companies since 1996.

PetroGlobe Inc. (TSX-V: PGB), undergoing a reorganization transaction, announced the appointment of Jason James as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. James is a chartered accountant with more than 16 years of finance, business development, strategic planning and tax experience, operating in Canada. He has held the position of CEO and director of PetroGlobe Inc. for the past three years.

Toronto 2015 Pan American Games announced the appointment of Barbara Anderson as Chief Financial Officer. Most recently CFO for MaRS Discovery District and MaRS Innovation, she has worked for PepsiCo, Cara Foods, Progistix-Solutions Inc., and the Securit Group of Companies. An MBA graduate of the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto, Anderson also is a Chartered Accountant (Ontario) and has a BSc from the University of British Columbia.

Provident Energy Trust (TSX: PVE.UN), announced that Mark Walker, Senior Vice-President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will step down from his role with Provident concurrent with the naming of his replacement, which is expected to be on or before September 30, 2010. Mr. Walker will remain with Provident in an advisory role for an appropriate period after that date.

Treasury Metals Inc. (TSX: TML) announced that it has appointed Dennis Gibson as Chief Financial Officer for the Company. Mr. Gibson served as Vice President, CFO and Corporate Secretary for Vector Intermediaries Inc from 1996 to 2004, as CFO for Aquiline Resources Inc. from April 2006 to December 2009 and as CFO for Laramide Resources Ltd. from April 2006. Mr. Gibson replaces James Fairbairn, former CFO for Treasury, who has stepped down to pursue other interests in the resource sector.

BioWest Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: BWE) announced that Jeff Charpentier was appointed chief financial officer of the Company. Over the course of the past fifteen years, Mr. Charpentier has successively served as chief financial officer of each of Inex Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Chromos Molecular Systems Inc. and Lignol Energy Corporation. Bruce Schmidt resigned from his position as interim chief financial officer and president of the Company effective June 28, 2010, but will continue in his role as corporate secretary and as a director of Biowest.

OPTI Canada Inc. (TSX: OPC) announced the appointment of David Halford to its Board of Directors. Mr. Halford is the Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of ENMAX Corporation. He is responsible for all financial policy, planning and reporting, risk management, corporate finance, tax and treasury functions of ENMAX and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining ENMAX, Mr. Halford held Chief Financial Officer roles at OPTI, BA Energy and Irving Oil.

New Guinea Gold Corporation (TSX-V: NGG)(FRANKFURT: NG8) announced that Paul Schultz has resigned as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and that Lisa Hartin has been appointed CFO.

If you have news about CFO’s on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Canadian CFO’s on the Move – week ended June 25, 2010

HudBay Minerals Inc. (TSX: HBM) announced the appointment of Mr. David Garofalo as President and Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Directors of the Company, effective July 12, 2010. Most recently, Mr. Garofalo served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer with Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, where he has been employed since 1998. Mr. Garofalo is a graduate of the University of Toronto (B.Comm.) and a Chartered Accountant, and serves on the Board of Directors of York Central Hospital Foundation.

TransCanada (TSX: TRP) announced that Greg Lohnes, currently Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, is appointed to the role of President, Natural Gas Pipelines. TransCanada also announced that Don Marchand, currently Vice-President, Finance and Treasurer, is appointed to the role of Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.

Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: CRR.UN) announced the appointment of Glenn Hynes CA, to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Mr. Hynes previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the time of Crombie's establishment and initial public offering in 2006. Mr. Hynes also held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sobeys Inc. from 2001 to 2004 and Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer (2005-2006) and subsequently was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Gammon Gold Inc. Most recently, Mr. Hynes served as Chief Financial Officer and a Partner of Bluewave Energy Ltd, a national fuel distributor.

Magma Energy Corp. (TSX: MXY) announced that Ms. Sandra Lim will retire as Chief Financial Officer, and that Ms. Annette Cusworth has been appointed to replace Ms. Lim. Ms. Cusworth is a Chartered Accountant and joins Magma from a long career with a major Canadian public company, most recently as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.

Temple Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX-V: TR.UN) announced the appointment of Mr. Larry Beeston as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Mr. John Liddle, CGA. Mr. Beeston, CA, is the Senior Manager - Financial Reporting for Shelter Canadian Properties Limited. Mr. Beeston has been employed by Shelter Canadian Properties Limited for most of his career. He has also held other senior positions, including Chief Financial Officer of a TSX listed real estate investment trust for five years and Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer of a real estate and management company for seven years. Mr. Beeston obtained his Chartered Accountant designation in 1980 and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba.

Goldsource Mines Inc. (TSX-V: GXS, FRANKFURT: G5M) announced the appointment of Barney Magnusson as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Graham Thody as Chief Financial Officer. Mr Thody will continue to serve as Director. Mr. Magnusson is a former Senior Officer and Director of three mining companies that developed producing mines: Dayton Mines Inc. (Chile), High River Gold Mines Ltd. (Manitoba, Canada) and Brohm Resources Inc. (South Dakota, USA).

Madalena Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: MVN, announced that Mr. Anthony Potter, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was elected by the shareholders to join the Board of Directors.

Wescast Industries Inc. (TSX: WCS.A) announced the appointment of Teresa Fortney to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Fortney holds a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, is a CMA and a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants.

Augen Gold Corp. (TSXV:GLD) announced that Manish Z. Kshatriya, CA, has resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and that Carmelo Marrelli, CA, has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Marrelli holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Certified General Accountant.

Triple 8 Energy Ltd. (TSX-V:TEE) announced the appointment of Doug Bailey as Chief Financial Officer. For the past 6 years Mr. Bailey has taken on senior roles in the junior oil and gas sector including involvement in the financing, merging and dispositions, and restructurings of numerous junior entities. Concurrently Mr. Bailey has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Phoenix Resources Corp.

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX-V: SSS) As part of an announced cost cutting program, the employment contracts for Barry Herring, the current CFO has been terminated effective June 30, 2010. Mr. Herring, has agreed to stay on with the Company in his current capacity on a consulting basis for the following six months to assist the Company in its attempt to maximize the value of its intellectual property.

Copper Ridge Explorations Inc. (TSX-V: KRX) announced that Justin Blanchet has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Blanchet is a Chartered Accountant who was formerly a public accountant with Davidson & Company LLP. He has served as Controller for Golden Predator Corp. and EMC Metals Corp. since February 2010. Mr. Michael O'Brien who previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer will continue with the Company in an advisory capacity.

If you have news about CFO’s on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Having difficulty hiring? Try this.

People I speak with in business continue to complain to me about the difficulty of hiring appropriate people for their business. If they are looking for accounting & finance help, I am more than happy to help them, considering that this is the business CFO2Grow is in.

When companies find it difficult to hire, they need to look at sources that are a little different, while still giving them the solution they need. This solution can apply to many industries needing employees in Canada.

For companies that need to hire, I recommend that they consider an additional source of qualified candidates: Hire from the United States.

While this sounds a little off the wall, listen to the reasons why you should consider hiring from the United States.

- The Canadian Dollar is at par, so you will be paying dollar for dollar.
- Americans are generally used to picking up and moving thousands of miles for the right career move.
- The American job market is getting soft, while Canada looks like it will ride out the downturn well.
- You can hire a professional from the United States with little problem, using the TN-1 Visa. Canadians have been going to the USA for years for opportunities under the NAFTA Visa. It's time we use labour mobility to our advantage.

While American labour (or is that labor) will not be able to fill all of your positions, if you have some serious hiring ahead of you, try it. You might like it.

BlackBerry: Blessing or Curse?

Last week, I was one of the millions of BlackBerry users that spent a few hours cursing their BlackBerry because it wasn’t receiving emails. Once I found out that it was RIM’s fault, I was one of millions cursing RIM for the service outage (yet again).

And that got me thinking.

For all of us that rely on this device to keep us connected, is our BlackBerry a blessing or a curse?


Let’s count our Blessings…

• Our Blackberry lets us know what’s going on. In today’s age, immediate information is a key for success. With the correct information in our hands sooner, we are able to make better decisions quicker.
• We are in the office when we’re out of the office. We don’t have to be tied down to a desk to get ‘work’ done. We can be at lunch, waiting for an appointment, be getting dressed in the morning or walking around our company, and be constantly aware of what is going on. We can even be at the beach half way around the world, and still be ‘working’.
• Our calendar (when synced with our desktop) allows us to always know what our schedule is, who we are meeting, where and when.
• I particularly enjoy the Instant messaging application between BlackBerry’s. It has taken the concept of IM and turned it truly anywhere.

Now for the Curses…

• We always know what’s going on. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break sometime?
• We are always in the office. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend time with other people (especially the people we love) and give them our full attention, showing them that they are important? Wouldn’t it be nice to take a real vacation?
• We always have the day planned. An unplanned day once in a while wouldn’t be so terrible. It would give us time to think.
• Personally, IM’ing while in the bathroom isn’t much better than taking a phone call while in there.
  

What’s the solution?

The BlackBerry is a great tool, although it’s not nicknamed the CrackBerry for nothing. It can be very addictive. As a user, you have the power to make it helpful, and not have it take over your life.

Some employers have instituted rules regarding BlackBerry usage off hours to take into account Work Life Balance issues. See here for a recent article in the news.

While I agree with the idea that BlackBerry usage should not intrude on personal time, creating rules for employees may be a bit much.

A few years ago I went to a remote cottage with my children, and one of the great ideas behind this vacation was that there was no cell phone coverage. This way I wouldn’t be able to check messages and it would force me to relax. As I was exploring the area near the cottage, I was on top of a rocky ledge overlooking the lake, and my BlackBerry started buzzing. I spent the next few days standing at the top of that ledge with my BlackBerry held high, looking like I was the Statue of Liberty.

Since then I’m a bit better with my BlackBerry. I’m turning the vibrate option off more often, and turning it off completely more often too. Being at my child’s birthday party or having dinner with my wife does not need me checking my emails every 2 minutes.

In the end, you are in charge of how you spend your time. A BlackBerry can give you more control of your time, and can be a useful tool to allow you to achieve better Work Life Balance. But if you find that the device is changing the balance to more Work and less Life, it’s time to turn it off more often.

The Welcome Posting.

Welcome to CFO2Grow's Blog. Written by Samuel Dergel, Founder and Senior Partner of CFO2Grow, The Financial Statement should be of interest to:

1) Those that hire in accounting and finance.
2) Those looking to be hired in accounting and finance

The blog entries are Samuel's thoughts, in his search to provide information relevant to cfo2grow's clients, candidates and friends.

You may agree. You may disagree. And that's ok. Your comments on this blog are appreciated.