Five reasons the perfect candidate just isn’t so perfect
If you recruit, at any level, chances are you’re overlooking potentially excellent candidates in the mistaken belief that lack of experience makes them unsuitable for the job. Here’s why the person you think is perfect, probably isn’t. 1. Their experience – it might seem a perfect fit, but previous experience, even significant levels, have absolutely […]
HR must help employees find their ‘core’ and how it relates to the company’s vision
Results! That’s what every CEO wants and, ultimately, they need it from sales -and from those responsible for sales. So this means higher sales growth targets and selling more of that “new high margin solution” to higher level and higher worth customers. The HR profession is charged with developing the right people to ensure the […]
Only a quarter of employers achieve long-term gains from change management initiatives
Just a quarter of organisations are able to keep the momentum of their change management initiatives going over the long-term. This is according to a new survey by professional services firm Towers Watson, which found 55% of employers say change management initiatives meet their initial objectives. However, just one in four (25%) say the gains […]
Doing business in the USA – cultural considerations for HR
The USA is the world’s largest national economy and, according to many, the world’s only remaining superpower. Even with the tremendous growth of emerging economies in parts of Asia, South America and Africa, US GDP is approximately double that of China, the world’s next largest economy. Although the US may seem familiar to many, thanks […]
From ‘ready now’ to ‘ready in a lifetime’ – the baby boomers are here to stay
Just when we thought the Baby Boomers were off to lower their handicaps, the fickle hand of legislation has again changed the rules. The Baby Boomers were going to retire. That would have reduced the payroll. And, those starting their careers (who now have lower pay expectations because of the recession) would at last have […]
Work-based learning schemes: the future of employment
Apprenticeships have traditionally offered a healthy alternative to university, but with the tripling of tuition fees, demand has increased by 32 per cent this year.[1] As a result, a number of organisations including John Lewis have started offering a further option by creating a university within their walls. Over the coming years, more organisations will […]
It’s not (just) about the money, money, money…..!
In the words of Jessie J (well almost!) its not about the money when it comes to employee benefits, certainly not when we want to think about retaining Generation Y talent and beyond. An HBR article (How Gen Y & Boomers will reshape your agenda -2009) talks about a ‘rewards remix being both challenging and […]
Tips for creating a data-driven HR strategy
Big data can be used in many ways by companies of different sizes to analyse and share meaningful HR insights that help inform HR strategy and positively impact the business. However, big data strategies can be difficult to implement. The advancement of mobile technology enables information to be accessed, evaluated and shared anywhere, anytime. As […]
Changes to the state pension: dealing with the end of contracting out
Recent Government changes to the State Pension mean that, from 2016, there will be an increase in cost for defined benefit (DB) pensions, which could rack up a £2bn per annum bill for UK companies. The change in question means that the practice of ‘contracting out’ is coming to a close. Contracting out allows individuals […]
Doing business in Saudi Arabia – cultural considerations for HR
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s largest market. As the world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia also recognises the need to diversify its economy as its future cannot rely on oil revenues alone. King Abdullah is leading the way in economic reforms, with special economic zones being developed and by welcoming businesses […]
Is your wellbeing strategy really meeting your employees’ needs?
Wellbeing. It’s on everyone’s lips at the moment. It’s no wonder with increasingly pressurised work environments, redundancies and an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems and stress in the UK workforce. There is a lot of talk about the introduction of wellbeing strategies to alleviate these problems but are employers doing enough? Wellbeing […]
Exploring the link between emotional control and success
One of the underlying assumptions about success in business is that we have to control ourselves and our emotions. For most of the last century emotions have been a ‘dirty’ word in business. The British stiff upper lip is seen as the pinnacle of control. Emotional Intelligence (for more on EI, read my previous article, […]
Using personality profiling to exploit maximum value out of events
The HR department is often the first to extoll the virtues of a conference or out-of-office event in helping to motivate employees and encourage career development and learning. In fact, many of us within the industry have referred to conferences for years as a ‘third place’, a space between the desk and the meeting rooms […]
How gamification is altering the fabric of business and HR
Mickey Mantle, the American Baseball Player, very aptly remarked, "It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing all your life”. Now imagine we press pause on our own lives for a moment and contemplate this statement. Every new aspirant seeks a career which is challenging and fulfilling, a game worth […]
Workers struggling to discuss career progression with managers
UK employees are finding it difficult to discuss their personal development desires and requirements with managers, according to a new poll. Close to half (44.8%) of respondents to the Badenoch & Clark survey said they felt uncomfortable discussing development with their superiors. Generation Y – those aged 16 – 24 – are least likely to […]
Changes on the horizon for HR structures and service delivery
The HR function will experience upheaval in the next two years as businesses face pressure to improve the delivery and effectiveness of HR services. This is according to the 2013 HR Service Delivery and Technology Survey from professional services firm Towers Watson, which also found that companies will continue to invest in HR technologies as […]
Is learning agility the key indicator of potential?
What do executive search consultants look for in a candidate? Until 10 years ago, the answer was very simple: Results, results, and results. Past performance was considered to be the best predictor of future performance. No matter what, business is about creating results; they may be growth rates, market share gains, free cash flow or […]
Enabling a culture of compassionate accountability in the NHS
The Berwick Reality The NHS has had a wakeup call. The operational failings in Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation prompted Ministers and NHS leadership alike to contemplate the causes and conditions for patient safety and care, and the subsequent Berwick report has called for a “wide systemic change” within the organisation. Professor Don Berwick highlights the […]
Why no team can survive without conflict
Many people avoid conflict at work like the plague, feeling uncomfortable when things get difficult, fearful that addressing issues will create more, maybe even unresolvable, escalating conflict. And yet workplace conflict can be a good thing, a very good thing even, and should definitely not be feared but addressed. Let’s be honest – having a […]
Death of bank intern raises concern over working hours
A 21 year old intern working at Bank of America in London was found dead after reportedly working 72 hours in a row. Moritz Erhardt, an exchange student from Germany, was found collapsed in his shower following several days of working until 6am. He is said to have suffered from epilepsy and was pronounced dead […]
