A month ago I came back to work from a week on Jury Duty and found that one third of our company had been let go.

When I spoke to management, they assured me the company is highly profitable but they had to work with the most productive staff they could.  That mean only the most efficient and dependable stayed.

I asked what qualities stood out among those who stayed.  The first thing mentioned was knowledge.  They wanted people who took the time to stay current and could consistently present fresh ideas.

Since I had long ago subscribed to executive book summaries, reading up on current business trends is just something I do.  It never occurred to me it would someday save my job.

But, in today’s economic climate, we need all the help we can get, and information is the most valuable asset you can provide your company.