Friday 15 May 2009

Recession Busting HR!

Effective communication is critical in HR’s role in ensuring a company successfully emerges from the recession, according to twelve HR specialist’s from the South West. You also need engaging leadership, future oriented Organisational Development, efficient operations and powerful training. These were the conclusions from a creative problem solving seminar looking at the issue of HR’s role in driving success, run by Paul Maisey of Buffin Leadership International.

Top Tips include

Effective Communication

- Listen to staff concerns and openly share company information
- Ensure everyone understands business drivers and company plans
- Ask for ,and use , ideas from within the company
- Use HR professional networks to gain new ideas and options
- Step up the frequency of communication to all stakeholders

Engaging Leadership

- Support all Leaders in building and re-inforcing a positive mindset
- Encourage additional coaching activity to address concerns
- Ensure everyone remembers importance of Customers
- Re focus leadership training to business priorities ( and find cheaper and quicker delivery mechanisms)
- Remember how we treat our people know shows our real values!

Future Oriented Organisational Development

- Drive change management to re-focus roles on business priorities
- Re visit your vision and values, could you achieve them in a new way?
- Encourage cross functional working with focus on external customers
- Plan ahead – balance short term responses with longer term needs (you will still need talented people)
- Increase the company , and individuals , ability to manage change

Efficient Operations

- Adapt HR processes to reflect priorities
- Implement alternative reward and recognition practices
- Use flexible working opportunities
- Ensure people are “ managed out “ with respect
- Consider shared services and use of free websites

Powerful Training

- Prioritise learning and development focus to align with company needs
- Create innovative and practical development methods
- Encourage active coaching and mentoring
- Adapt talent management programmes to reassure managers of future
- Ensure all learning is aligned to measureable business benefit

Paul Maisey is the Regional Director for Buffin Leadership International. Further information is available at www.Buffin.com

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