Human Resources challenges on the U.S.S. Enterprise

This article was written by former MP and training and development expert Lembit Öpik, who is currently associate director of Leadenhall Consulting. In this article Lembit assesses the issues involved with managing the staff on humanity’s most famous Starship – the U.S.S. Enterprise – as he invites you to boldly go where no HR Manager has […]

Book review: The Trusted Advisor by David Maister, Charles Green and Robert Galford

Title: The Trusted AdvisorAuthors: David Maister, Charles Green and Robert GalfordISBN: 978-0743207768 Reviewed by Alan Warner, MTP plc This is not a new book but thirteen years after publication, it is still to be found in book stores. Also the wonders of Kindle and iBooks mean that we now have far easier access to works like this […]

RAF grounded by finding of discrimination

This article was written Andrew Moore, Solicitor at law firm Hill Dickinson. A recent decision in the Birmingham Employment Tribunal has found that the Royal Air Force (RAF) unlawfully discriminated against a female nurse on the grounds of her sex. Summary of the case: Ms Williams joined the RAF in 1984, and enjoyed a successful […]

The big data revolution: making it work for HR

This article was written by Jeremy Langley, Marketing & Business Development Director at Lumesse. The landscape of data analysis is changing. With professional information accumulated at greater rates due to increased online interaction and advancing technology, taking a dedicated approach to analysing big data in order to boost an organisation’s effectiveness and potential can give businesses […]

Interview: Shawn Farshchi, CEO of Saba Software

Shawn Farshchi is CEO of Saba Software, a provider of learning and HR software. Shawn has over 30 years' experience leading, driving and managing technological, organisational and cultural change across many different business environments. Before joining Saba, he was COO for IBM subsidiary Coremetrics. 1. How are the expectations of the client evolving when it comes to […]

Joined-up HR and finance – the move to systems of engagement

This article was written by Laura Schroeder, Director EMEA Product Marketing at cloud-based HCM provider Workday. Laura has more than 15 years of experience designing, developing, implementing, and evangelising global HCM solutions. Advances in consumer and social technology have created new opportunities to reach customers and forced organisations to adapt their business strategies faster than […]

Editor’s note: we want scientists in HR and we want them now

Welcome, everyone, to HRZone’s June 2013 Technology Supplement. No-one is surprised at the speed of change in technology spheres. It’s expected to move fast and hard. What’s really interesting is whether related spheres can keep up with the pace of change. I recently asked a software company CEO (you can read the interview in this […]

The BBC, its reliance on compromise agreements and the hidden legal costs

This was written by Steven Eckett, employment lawyer at Bishop & Sewell LLP. It has come to light as a result of a Freedom of Information request made on 15 April by Radio Station London Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) 97.3FM, that the BBC has spent in excess of £22 million in pay-offs to its staff over the […]

Thinking outside the box with your job advertisements in 2013

This article was written by Liz Strama, CEO of HR Protected, which provides a full range of HR services and support. It is a competitive world out there, and more than ever companies are turning to new and innovative methods to entice potential candidates through their doors. What can you offer a prospective employee? Think perks, […]

Onboarding: what not to do

The importance of onboarding should never be underestimated. The practice of integrating a new employee successfully into an organisation has implications for every element of the business, from productivity to profitability. However, many organisations are guilty of committing fundamental onboarding mistakes which, while avoidable, are costly in terms of time, money and resources. Here are […]

What does BYOD mean for mobile learning?

This article was written by Gerry Griffin, director of Skill Pill M-Learning and former director of the London Business School. Increasingly organisations are looking toward mobile devices as their learning delivery channel of choice, but these preferences are hindered by budget constraints – particularly the provision of expensive technologies and devices. That is why Bring […]

Research: Middle managers should display power to get ahead – and be liked

Middle managers should behave ‘powerfully’ to get ahead. That’s according to new research from Professor Laura Guillen at the ESMT business school in Germany. Guillen found that displaying certain ‘power competencies’ also serves to make middle managers better liked in the office. Being a ‘good team player’ or focussing on achieving individual goals did not […]

11 tips to help you recognise the efforts of your workforce

Mick Liubinskas is co-founder of WooBoard.com, a Sydney based, global employee recognition platform. The workplace has changed, so must management. How do you guide a team with large generation gaps, remote working, part-time team and outsourcing? Having your employees engaged in your vision, values, customers and the task at hand is critical to thriving. A […]

Conflict in the matrix – the challenges of moving away from hierarchical structures

Kevan Hall is CEO of Global Integration, consultants and trainers in matrix management, virtual teams and global working. He is also the author of "Making the Matrix Work." Many international organisations are moving away from a hierarchical structure to a matrix organisation, designed to improve work and processes that cut across the traditional vertical silos […]

Engagement – wholesale change. Are you ready for it?

This article was written by Karen Drury, consultant with Maven International (UK) Ltd. A desire for change Much has been said and written about engagement in the past ten years – from arguments about its definition, to claims about what it delivers in organisational benefits. Regardless of the practitioner and academic debate, engagement is about change. In […]

Community blog: May/June round up & some exciting news!

This blog was originally posted as part of community manager Henry’s monthly round-up. Time seems to be flying past – we’re nearly done with half of the year already! To make up for the vanishing hours, I wanted to do something a little different so stick around for some exciting news… As always, thanks to […]

What does HR need do in response to the whistleblowing law changes?

Tina Wisener is Partner at UK’s largest employment law firm, Doyle Clayton. New whistleblowing laws came into place today. The main tenet of the changes revolves around the nature of disclosures – they have to be made in the public interest, whereas previously they needed to be made in good faith. Whether a disclosure has […]

Book review: The Guide to Everlasting Employability

Title: The Guide to Everlasting EmployabilityAuthors: Michael Moran & Linda JacksonISBN: 978-1291167672 This book was reviewed by Simon Gosney, National Head of Learning & Development for NHS Direct. Early on in The Guide to Everlasting Employability, the authors suggest that most people spend more time planning a holiday than they do their own career. It’s an […]

Seven modern payroll challenges

This article was written by Mark Paraskeva, CEO of the SME Division at IRIS Software Group. Payroll is often seen as a cog within the wheel of business. However, it’s rarely glitch-free. It’s complex and fraught with challenges but although it does not contribute directly to the bottom line, it is also indispensable. For any organisation, […]

Doing business in China – cultural considerations for HR

The most populous country in the world, The People’s Republic of China has emerged over the last 30 years as one of the world’s leading political and economic powers. At the same time, etiquette and ceremonies still form a key part of Chinese culture. The unique character of the Chinese is built on a strong […]