I remember my parents talking about taking a bath in the rainbarrel when they lived on the farm.  So imagine my disappointment when my  rainbarrel arrived completely enclosed with  a screen across the top opening and two spigot holes on the side.  Granted the purpose for the purchase was ecological; we wanted to save on the water bill, and we already have a bath tub.  But the expectation of splashing around in cool, fresh rain water did have some influence on my decision.

We positioned the barrel under the rain spout and inserted the high and low spigots. Over the next several weeks the barrel became filled to overflowing.  We attached a garden hose to the top spigot; that would draw off some water and direct it to a section of the garden that was especially prone to dry up.  But there would always be a reserve in the bottom of the barrel for long stretches of dry weather in the summer months.

I came to love that rain barrel. I watered the potted plants; I watered the shrubs and trees; I even watered the cement walkway - it was really getting hot under my bare feet.  I watered the stone wall.  I filled the bird bath. I washed off the deck furniture.

How much water did I have left to work with?  I tapped on the side of the barrel to get a reading.  I filled the watering can and tried to gauge the change of pressure from one fill to the next.  Did any of the water evaporate from the barrel in between rain storms?  I was wishing for an old fashioned rain barrel; at least then I could peek in the top and see what I had to work with.

Ah, well, there was plenty, right? And it would rain again soon, right?  But it didn't rain that week...the next week....or the next week.
Flowers withered; plants dried up.  Vegetables died on the vine.

Sometimes human resources are just like water resources.  You hire folks and see them coming into the organization ready and eager to be put to work.  You think you know what you've got to work with, but then when you really need them you open the spigot and nothing comes out!  What happens?

Sometimes we use up the talent of our folks on  frivolous  tasks; sometimes we take people for granted.  Or let them get stagnant.  We wait until we're running low to worry about  the people we want for next  project.  

Does your organization use resources wisely?  Do you have a succession plan for replacing valuable resources?  

Rain barrel resource management may be an option for you.