The best way to handle resource shortages in the workplace

When a company wants to get a job done, we pay people for it. That's the way it works.

You have 10 projects to run and another special initiative. You just had a meeting with your boss to discuss the human resource plan. You knew it was coming - we simply cannot add people. We have to get these things done. Times are tough and we just don't have the budget for it.

What are your options? You can overwork yourself and your team and get them burnt out..

Or convince your boss that the schedule is unrealistic (this works if your boss has a choice but in most cases your boss doesn't have a choice either....)

Or be firm and tell him you can't do it ...which means your job is on the line..and you better watch out .. a memo could be on its way. 

We all face unrealistic expectations - day in and day out. 

Did you know with a bit of planning and negotiation, you can make it happen and be a star! You will also inadvertently create a sustainable model for hiring talent and contribute to transitioning students into the workplace seamlessly.

So how does this all fit in? Companies collaborating with local and foreign universities could tap into their students to get work done. This is a mutually beneficial exchange and thanks to technology - it doesn't necessarily mean that the students have to "physically" show up at your office. The students get real world experience and you get the job done. They could spend a specified number of hours on a project based on your requirement and their ability. The viability of this model is better for some industries than for others. For instance, this would be an excellent option in education, entertainment and Information Technology and maybe not so much in Aviation or Travel.

There is a management overhead in terms of explaining the job and reviewing the work done. But, the benefits far surpass the cost. Non disclosure agreements have to be in place just like your employees. 

Collaboration between universities and companies is widespread and it has done a great deal of good - in terms of campus interviews and paid internships. However, there is a lot of potential that could be tapped further to create a more sustainable and talented workforce. 

I believe creating policies around closer collaboration between universities and companies is one of the ways to create a sustainable workforce transition.

Given a choice for any critical project - we naturally prefer people with experience. However, only a few lucky ones make it to the workforce each year. And we don't have an organised way of actually providing experience to students who have no work experience. Each year, there is a backlog of employable and educated students who for one or more reasons do not make it in to the workforce. And as each year passes by, it gets harder to get them in. This close collaboration and project work done by the students while in university could bridge this divide.

While working with students, you're likely to come across few keepers who you'd eventually hire and there now already equipped to do the job. 

One last thing, if you had to fire an employee for a bad attitude, tardiness or for slack, chances are - this could have surfaced at the university as well. Working closer with universities in a job sharing capacity, you'd be able to hire consistent performers 100% of the time and thereby reduce forced employee attrition.