Are layoffs just a fact of life? Or are they avoidable? Sure, few managers have a say in whether their company will lay off employees, but there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood:
Watch out for complexity. Organizations have a tendency to grow, adding unnecessary layers, positions, and locations. Whenever possible, advocate for keeping things structurally simple.
Phase out products and services. Outdated products and services can eat up costs and require expensive infrastructure. Eliminate the ones that have outlived their value.
Concentrate on the future. Focusing on short-term revenues can build up costs (and people) that provide results today but cannot be sustained in the long-term. Don’t just invest in current operations.
Adapted from “You Can Prevent Layoffs” by Ron Ashkenas.