A third of dotcoms were forced to cut staff over the past year, according to
research by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The study also reveals that a quarter of dotcom chief executives now rate
experience as the most important quality for staff.
The 2001 PwC findings contrast sharply with last year’s, which revealed that
eight out of 10 dotcom CEOs thought the race for talent was their most
important challenge.
Kevin Delaney, a partner at PwC Human Resource Consulting, said dotcoms are
in danger of losing the spirit of adventure and dynamism which was responsible
for their initial success.
"We are witnessing a growing bunker mentality that has led to a drive
to recruit more experienced managers. This focus on survival places
profitability and the bottom line above creativity and risk-taking," he
said.
Delaney advises HR professionals in dotcoms to ensure their companies do not
lose the excitement and energy that attracted talented people to them.
He also recommends HR departments find the balance between experience and
the willingness to work in new ways among the people they recruit and that they
identify those employees who have the ability to take the company forward.
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Over 400 dotcom managers were surveyed for the report.
