How One Employer Places Misfits

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 221, 14 June 1930, Page 19

How One Employer Places Misfits

<< T TT ow to square P e S s iuto rouncl holes has ever been one of _ p | the employer’s greatest problems. Overcoming the evil of | | misfits in a business is a study of vital importance to every JL A growing firm,” says a writer in ‘‘Business.” “Recently an employer of no little consequence found a remedy for this evil which proved, on application, of great profit to his business as a whole. “The idea, which was suggested to him by the head of his training department for new assistants, is one that could be adopted by a small or large retailer, or wholesaler, with equal impunity. It is simple, too, in operation, requiring only the services of one person, together with,a number of printed forms, made out in original and duplicate. “This person made a personal call—Consuming in this case a few weeks—to every individual in the organisation, to whom were put a series of questions printed in this special form, with space for the assistants’ answers. Here are some of the questions:— “Ar» you happy in your present work? “If you could be moved, which department would you care to be placed in?

“What is your special ambition? “What makes you think you are fitted for that particular 'work? “Have you ever tried to specialise in any one thing? “It was surprising what information these cards brought to light. One man interviewed said that he liked to write, and that he would enjoy editing the organisation’s house organ. Others expressed aspirations along ’ other lines. Only a small majority expressed satisfaction with their present occupations. It was a revelation, and a not too comforting one, to the management “However, in the case of the man with ‘leanings’ to house organ editing, the editor of the house magazine resigned, and in casting about for a new editor the man’s ambitions came to light—re his tabulated card. He was given a trial. The magazine not only remained good, but after a few Issues it even showed signs of distinct Improvement on the old regime. To-day it Is one of the best magazines of Its kind published. If these tabulated cards revealed only this one case of a ‘misfit’ in an organisation it more than paid for the price of its Installation.”