Monday, November 26, 2012

No company is immune to internal hard times — stagnation or declining performance. How can HR pave a way forward when the organisation runs into a wall? Prof. Manas Ranjan Tripathy of IBS, Hyderabad, reveals.

The HR function is often viewed as alien to the organisation’s strategic plan, though there is a feeling of unanimity of its larger role in executing strategies. The role of HR during a turnaround is not definitive in context and application. The major role played by the HR team is that of a coach to the intervention team, facilitator to the employees in adapting change and bulwark for the leadership, devising an exit strategy once the objectives are realised.

Thought leaders DiFilippo and Waldt stressed HR professionals need to be visible to all the employees during difficult times. Although they are merely the messengers, HR staff members often bear the brunt of the blame for reductions in force. But the worst thing they can do is to stay hidden in their offices or walk around looking sombre. Instead they must demonstrate that they are available for questions, are responsive to people’s needs and are continuing to do their jobs in an optimistic way. Another reason to be walking the halls is to listen for rumours and to put an end to them before they go too far. The other important aspect HR may take care of is that of delivering strong messages to the fence sitters as satisfactory underperformance. How a company handles a turnaround can make all the difference when it comes to the business moving forward productively as per the devised strategy of turnaround. The biggest concern for the HR team during this difficult time is to overcome challenges such as talent flight or poaching of talent by opportunistic headhunters and rival companies. Recruiting new talents with the right skill sets for turnaround option is another major challenge for the HR team.

The focus of HR should be to attract the talents who are willing to take risk and script success stories in the form of intrinsic rewards. Read more...

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Accessibility, empowerment and an inspiring vision are what HR wishes from a CEO.

Q. What are the key strategic areas where involvement of HR becomes mandatory? How can a CEO help in making HR practices more effective?
A. An organisation primarily consists of the people working in it. HR is all about human relations and how an organisation can develop this relationship. Culture and ethos are what takes an organisation to the next level. Senior management must develop a culture where people love to come back every day. It is the CEO’s job to create an environment where employees give their 100 per cent.

As the focus of the 21st century is on the happiness quotient rather than only on profits and deliverables, the CEO and HR must engage employees in various activities like taking them out or conducting stress management classes to keep them happy.

Q. What is HR’s value proposition to the CEO?
A. If you value the employees, they will value the organisation. An employee who has high regard for the organisation will remain in the company and serve with 100 per cent sincerity and dedication. But such talent can be retained only when they really feel the senior management is taking good care of them. I believe the best way to take care of an employee is by adding value to his profession and giving him the right kind of exposure through knowledge intervention. Read more...


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Thursday, November 01, 2012

Turning Strategic Intent into Real Results

Q. Can a CEO put HR on frontline of the business?
A. Where the executive has the capability and experience to do so this would be quite possible. With strong leadership skills and a good understanding of what drives the business an executive can leverage the talents and abilities of the people they lead. I have seen HR managers placed in such roles to broaden their experience and perspectives who have done an outstanding job, leading them to more strategic roles as a result. There are HR executives who have become successful CEOs and Ann Sherry, CEO Carnival Australia, is one such example.

Q. According to you, what steps is the HR taking to meet CEO’s expectations and business’ real- time needs?
A. Every area of contribution of HR can become a significant contribution. Some examples are:
Management of turnover issues reducing the cost, creating positive retention, enhancing the talent pool and the effectiveness of performance. Transforming the leadership culture to lead new initiatives.
• Employee relations and development programmes to engage them in changing their skills to be able to move in direction of the organisation.
• CSR programmes that are integral to developing a sound direction for the organisation and the society.
• Programmes that enhance quality of working life and increase levels of engagement and retention.
• Evaluation of culture for M&As and transformation programmes to prevent failure from untested assumptions.
• Succession planning initiatives to have a strong pool of candidates leading to natural progressive transitions of leaders. Click here to read full interview...

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