Discover the eight key strategies to transform HR into a world-class function, focusing on professionalization and efficient service models. Explore the 14 specialized areas of HR, termed 'tribes,' and the importance of a tech-savvy approach. Learn about enhancing employee experience through well-being and diversity initiatives, and the need for continuous professional development. The research shows that capable HR teams lead to improved financial and customer outcomes, making this journey crucial for organizational success.
World-class HR is essential for business success, directly impacting financial metrics, employee retention, and overall customer service performance.
The HR function encompasses 14 specialized roles or 'tribes' that require diverse skills to effectively meet modern organizational needs.
Deep dives
Understanding World-Class HR
World-class HR is essential to business success, with a direct correlation between HR competencies and business performance. Research indicates that business units with skilled HR teams consistently outperform others in financial metrics, employee retention, and customer service. This highlights the necessity for HR to effectively manage hiring, development, and employee relations, ensuring that the workforce is well supported. The journey to achieving such a standard involves recognizing the multifaceted nature of HR and the importance of having professionals with diverse backgrounds specializing in various areas.
The Complex Landscape of HR Roles
The HR profession comprises 14 distinct roles or 'tribes,' each catering to specific operational and strategic needs within organizations. These include traditional roles like administration and compliance, as well as emerging areas like data analytics, employee experience, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) specialists. Each tribe brings unique expertise that contributes to a holistic approach to human resources, emphasizing the need for skill development across all functions. Understanding and navigating these roles is crucial for creating a highly effective HR organization that meets the evolving demands of modern business.
Emphasizing Integration and Continuous Learning
For HR to excel, it must function as an integrated unit where professionals collaborate across different specialties. Establishing a culture of mutual support and shared goals increases efficiency and overall performance. Continuous learning and adaptation are vital for HR professionals to remain relevant; they must engage in ongoing education and job rotation to expand their skill sets. When HR can effectively support organizational resilience during challenges and transitions, it enhances the overall capability and success of the business.
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The Path to World-Class HR: Specializations and Strategies
In this podcast, I share the eight key strategies to building a World-Class HR function, and also explain why this is a Journey, not a “project.” I also describe the 14 “Tribes” of HR and give you a little detail on how we build our HR Capability Project.
The eight strategies are:
Professionalizing each role – focus on competence, goals, technology enablement, data
Clear service delivery model – creating service centers, solution centers, employee self-service, and automation
Design and innovation – creating design skills, product management skills, and iterative development in HR
Professional development – implementing job rotation, an HR Academy, external voices, and business acumen
Technology focus – creating HR Tech competence, architecture, market savvy, and close relationship with IT
Employee experience – understanding roles, journeys, transitions, wellbeing, DEI, and all aspects of employee productivity
COE optimization – having very strong world-class COEs in talent acquisition, development and mobility, rewards, talent, analytics
Operating at a team – creating an integrated HR strategy, making sure people know each other, help each other, and rotate within and in and out of HR.
In the podcast, I also describe how our research now proves that “highly capable HR teams” directly correlate with the financial, talent, and customer performance in their respective business units.
This is a journey, and I hope this podcast helps you see the roadmap.
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