Stack ranking works
Stack ranking helps businesses optimize their workforce by identifying and managing high and low performers. Research shows forced ranking systems can deliver 16% productivity improvements, while replacing low performers with top talent significantly increases organizational value.
Managing change: Moving in a positive direction
Outplacement and transition planning are crucial for maintaining morale and business performance during organizational change. Up to 25% of high achievers leave within 90 days of major change announcements, but thorough communication and support can mitigate these risks and accelerate business objectives.
Profile: SSA winner – Enterprise Software
Softscape won the Software Satisfaction Awards for Enterprise Software in the HR category. The human capital management vendor attributes its success to customer focus, innovation, and global experience, with an industry-leading 98% renewal rate and 34% revenue reinvestment in R&D.
Ask the expert: Absence management for pregnant employee
Employers can dismiss a pregnant employee with a poor absence record, but face higher legal risks. If dismissal is based on failure to follow reporting procedures rather than pregnancy-related absences, the employer is on safer ground.
Information overload: Taking back control
HR professionals face significant information overload from constant documentation flows. This article outlines dynamic evaluation techniques and fast reading skills to help HR executives efficiently assess and prioritize incoming data, reports, and communications without getting overwhelmed.
Case Study: La Poste – a story of change
La Poste transformed itself from a centuries-old postal service into a modern diversified company through strategic investments, horizontal and vertical expansion, and new performance management systems. The organization implemented SuccessFactors to modernize HR practices and create a high-performance culture while maintaining customer confidence as a competitive advantage.
Day Two: Lars Dalgaard, CEO of SuccessFactors
Lars Dalgaard, CEO of SuccessFactors, leads the charge in transforming human capital management through Software as a Service. Founded on principles of transparency and user adoption, SuccessFactors serves 2,360 customers across 185 countries with cloud-based talent management solutions designed to compete with legacy vendors like SAP and Oracle.
COA Solutions’ eBIS Wins Gold at Leading Environment Awards
COA Solutions’ eBIS workflow system has won gold at the National Green Apple Environment Awards for its environmental benefits. The document management software enables paperless office operations while maintaining audit visibility, helping organizations reduce paper waste and carbon emissions.
A week in HR: BT cuts lines with staff
BT announced plans to cut up to 10,000 jobs by March 2026 to reduce costs, prompting reactions from HR bodies and pension experts. The week also saw widening gender pay gaps and a multi-million pound settlement for twin sisters over workplace harassment claims.
HR is new strategic player in the boardroom!
HR departments are increasingly positioned as strategic business partners in the boardroom, playing a critical role in workforce management during economic uncertainty. As companies navigate recession and changing talent dynamics, HR leaders must balance defensive cost-cutting with offensive talent retention strategies to maintain competitive advantage.
SuccessFactors: Riding out the worst of the global economic rollercoaster
SuccessFactors raised guidance after posting strong quarterly results, with revenue jumping 77% year-over-year to $29.7 million. The SaaS human capital management provider added 220 new customers and maintained over 90% retention rates while preparing for economic headwinds ahead.
SuccessFactors expands Suite offering
SuccessFactors has expanded its Performance and Talent Management Suite with Stack Ranker, a new tool enabling managers to visually rank and assess employee talent across company-defined competencies. The event-driven offering helps identify top performers and optimize teams in real time.
Case Study: Arrow – on target for global Talent Management
Arrow Electronics, a US-based electronics distributor with 13,200 employees across 55 countries, implemented a global talent management strategy to align HR operations with its “One Arrow” business vision. The company partnered with SuccessFactors to create standardized performance management and succession planning processes across all regions, overcoming challenges of fragmented systems and disparate organizational cultures.
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust Improves Forecasting and Aids Service-line Reporting with COA Solutions’ Collaborative Planning
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust has implemented Collaborative Planning, a budgeting and forecasting system from COA Solutions, to streamline financial reporting and improve service-line visibility. The web-based platform integrates with existing financial systems to eliminate manual processes, saving management accountants approximately one day per month while providing real-time budget monitoring and financial transparency across 80 budget holders.
Stacey Epstein, Vice President Marketing Communications for SuccessFactors
SuccessFactors hosts its first European customer conference in Paris, bringing together companies to discuss workforce management solutions during uncertain economic times. The event features customer presentations, product updates, and strategies for aligning corporate goals with employee execution to drive business results.
Disability awareness: Flexible working for carers
A landmark European Court of Justice ruling has expanded disability discrimination protections to cover carers. Employers may now face obligations to accommodate flexible working requests from employees who care for disabled dependants, with carers potentially able to claim discrimination based on their association with a disabled person.
HR tip: Gross misconduct v misconduct
Gross misconduct differs from standard misconduct in that it strikes at the heart of the employment relationship, making continuation impracticable. Examples include fighting, expense fraud, and harassment, though employers may treat other serious violations as gross misconduct based on severity.
Colborn’s Corner: Opting out of the opt-out
The UK’s potential loss of its opt-out from the EU’s 48-hour working week could have significant implications for both employers and employees. While stricter hour limits may improve work-life balance, workers who depend on overtime earnings may face reduced income in an economic downturn.
Stormy waters: Leading in a downturn
Effective leadership during economic downturns requires emotional intelligence, courageous decision-making, and balancing short-term survival with long-term strategy. HR plays a crucial role in developing these skills among leaders to navigate turbulent business environments successfully.
Redundancy: How to manage the survivors
Managing employee redundancies effectively requires focus on those remaining, not just those leaving. Clear communication about reasons and transparent, fair processes help survivors maintain commitment and morale, while poor handling can damage long-term organizational performance and employee loyalty.
