It
is people who work to make a Google a Google , Facebook a Facebook - the most
important asset of any business is obviously people (employees, consultants
& vendors ).
Typically
Human Resource department is responsible for people related issues, people who
work towards business growth. Do you believe that HR in your organization is
part of the main business stream ?
If
you just answered a ‘Yes’, then think "Why is HR not part of the strategic
decisions of the company like merger & acquisition, setting business goals,
outsourcing decision, expansion into new country, new business domain launch,
profit and loss evaluations and other significant topics?"
Doesn’t
all these strategic decision revolves around people ? So, why is your HR
missing when you took/take these decisions ?
I’m
not saying its just the business leaders’ fault to consider HR function as cost
/ support center which relegates itself to on-boarding, exit interviews,
benefits, creating workplace policy and fun activities. It's also a reflection
and interest of the HR folks to stay in their comfort zone. Even if they a have
great business ideas which can support :
- Employee engagement
- Leadership development
- Coaching
- Motivating employees
- Learning & Innovation
- Organization Culture
or
thoughts on the impact of a business decision on the quality of work life
balance etc. they just stop themselves or get pushed back by their senior HR
managers, if not by business leaders.
How
many HR folks have heard this, "That's how we do business or its business
demand, just do it!" There have been several discussions to involved HR in
the mainstream decision making but those discussions have not fetched anything
significant.
Business
leaders: Please give your HR a chance to be part of your strategic decision
making, they are voice of the employees and advocates of people who work for
you and give you the business result. I urge you to welcome their thoughts
and work a strategy around people and see the business results.
HR
folks: This is the time for you to brush up your skills and gain more knowledge
to support business decision while keeping people in mind at the end of the day
you are HRBP = Human Relations Business Participant.
Just
get down to the ground and understand the business you support. You have a
critical role to play.
email : kakkarhimanshu (at) gmail (dot) com
