Evidence-based HR – neuroscience in business and the HR department
We're hurtling towards a time when HR departments are driven by science and through understanding what makes people who they are. This evidence-based HR approach will be married heavily with big data. One of the key areas that is fueling evidence-based HR is neuroscience – the more we understand about the human brain and the […]
The neuroscience of trust and how it can improve your engagement results
A while ago I was working with a leadership team who got into a debate about trust. The team was split with the senior leader insisting their role was to mitigate risks by putting in place policies and policing people to ensure the company was safe. His starting premise was people are not trustworthy, if […]
Top talent? I’d wager you’re getting it wrong
It’s evident in every organisation that some point your star performers will be prompted into a leadership role. But does their success in their field mean that they’ll be a success as a leader? Honestly, the answer is probably not. It’s an inevitable reality right now that too many people embarking on leadership programmes will […]
Museums ditching staff for volunteers – the result of financial woes?
Over a third of museums and galleries reduced numbers of paid staff last year, while a half increased the number of interns and volunteers. This is according to the Museums Association, a membership organisation, which added that staff cuts were due primarily to a reduction in public investment. “Interns and volunteers have plenty to offer […]
Top 10 security reminders for the post-summer period
Now firmly into autumn and back to normal, it’s time to review your company’s cyber security practices after the summer break has been and gone. Although a lot of people have returned back to the office, in today’s 24/7 connected world most people were still checking email and in work mode from their sun loungers. […]
Summary of National Minimum Wage changes from October 1st
Thanks to Hollie Ryan, Associate at Charles Russell LLP, for preparing this summary. The new 2013/14 rates are as follows: Standard rate – £6.31 per hour (a 12p increase from £6.19, an increase of 1.9%) 18 – 20 year olds – £5.03 per hour (a 5p increase from £4.98) Under 18s – £3.72 per hour (a 4p increase […]
Who am I? Types of employment status
This is not simply a philosophical question. A new third type of employment status, namely that of ‘employee shareholder’, was introduced into the UK on 1st September 2013 in addition to employee and worker status respectively. The correct identification of an individual’s status has never been more important given its implications both for their personal […]
Social Business – trendy fad or saviour of “good” work?
It’s an interesting world of work we have upon us. Interesting for a range of reasons and because of seemingly increased polarisation of views. Telecommuting – aka working from home – is bad -v- why the heck are we still working 9-5 and wasting hours on road/rail to get to work? We have to hold […]
The importance of social connection – insights from the NeuroLeadership Summit 2013
I have just returned from the 2013 NeuroLeadership Summit which was held for the first time this year in London. For those of you who may not be aware of the summit it aims to move forward the understanding of neuroscience in leadership and organisational performance. For the first time this year the Summit ‘travelled’ […]
HR officers are ‘beta-male chimpanzees’
The former head of HR at Dutch bank ABN Amro, Kilian Wawoe, posed a rhetorical question in a recent interview: “What can of animal is the HR officer?” His response: “I would say we are the beta-male chimpanzees: there to make others achieve their goals.” He also offers a thought-provoking definition of the glass ceiling: “It's […]
Lack of support for managers leads to leadership problems and crisis of organisational culture
Over a third (36%) of line managers have not received any training for their role, according to new research released today from the CIPD. Time for effective line management is also de-prioritised in favour of mission-critical and goal-orientated tasks. The research also found that 24% of managers face situations where they must put the company’s […]
Using crowdsourcing to identify and develop top performers
Crowdsourcing has been a hot topic as it relates to managing and developing the workforce, from its impact on employee engagement to recruiting and hiring. Rather than throwing caution to the wind and trying out new sourcing techniques, however, it’s important to use a method that is closely tied to business objectives and that can […]
Seven ways to engage with employees on social media
This article is based on the many conversations I’ve had with the social media and HR professionals that I’ve met over the last 12 months while preparing the 25 case studies featured in my new book, showcasing the best business use of social media in recruitment and beyond. These are the seven most frequently referenced […]
Interview: Patrick Quinlan, CEO of compliance and ethics firm Convercent
1. How is the role of compliance professionals shifting? For years, compliance has centered around addressing the bad in an organization, like fraud, bribery and general employee “rule-breaking,” and addressing it only after the matter. Inevitably, this turned compliance professionals into the “bad news guys” and tasked them with enforcing regulations that keep employees within their […]
Five tips to implement mobile learning smoothly
As the smartphone continues to cement its position as an indispensable tool in the workplace, learning departments are fast taking note. However, some organisations are guilty of jumping on the mobile bandwagon without giving careful thought to the implementation of their m-learning solutions. Here are some practical guidelines to help L&D leverage and maximise the […]
New research highlights most common CV ‘mistakes’
Common CV mistakes and a lack of attention to detail are holding job hunters back, according to new research. Close to 80% of advisers from the National Careers Service said that the most common mistake (more of a strategy really) was sending generic CVs to employers. A further two-thirds (66%) said this mistake was most […]
20 tips for easing the stress of international employee relocation
When speaking to an employee about an international assignment it’s important to consider how they might feel about the prospect. Their reaction might range from being absolutely thrilled and excited at the challenge, to feeling extremely anxious. The truth is that even for the most dedicated and motivated of employees, the prospect of relocating is […]
Interview: Kristiina Mäkelä, Associate Professor, Aalto University
Kristiina Mäkelä is an associate professor of International Business at Aalto University. She has published on HRM and knowledge-related topics in a number of international journals and was awarded the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA) 2008 prize for the best doctoral dissertation in Europe. Kristiina’s latest research focused on evaluations […]
A legal guide to custom and practice for HR
Many practitioners will have heard the phrase ‘custom and practice’ bandied around from time to time during the course of their career. The difficulty however is understanding what is actually meant by the term ‘custom and practice’ and more importantly how to establish one. Hopefully this article will help the reader to understand what is […]
Book Review: The Fulfilling Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of Risk
Title: The Fulfilling Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Aspects of RiskAuthors: Edited by Cary Cooper and Ronald BurkeISBN: 978-1409427766 This book review was written by David Evans of Burn Bridge Associates. The sub-title to this weighty tome is “The organisation’s role in achieving individual and organisational health” and the editors – Burke and Cooper – have enlisted a serious […]
