In a Nutshell: Five ways for HR to be true partners with the business
HR directors can become true business partners by understanding organizational strategy, treating all people with respect, maintaining integrity, prioritizing customer needs, and delivering practical solutions to business challenges.
Blog: I’ve got an underperformer – Get them out of here!
Managing underperformers requires identifying the root cause before taking action. Focus on observable facts rather than judgments, consider multiple factors like clarity of expectations and training needs, and communicate performance gaps directly to avoid costly terminations and legal issues.
The skills paradox flourishes
The job market reveals a paradox: while redundancies and unemployment persist, businesses face acute skills shortages, particularly for STEM professionals and growth-focused roles. Organizations are simultaneously cutting costs and competing intensely for top talent, creating a two-tiered employment landscape where high-value skills command premium salaries.
Making the right choices to ensure career success
Consistent high performance depends on making deliberate daily choices about your attitude, mindset, and emotional state. Drawing from work with elite athletes, this guide shows how focusing on attitude and thoughts—rather than just technical skills—directly impacts your ability to deliver results when it matters most.
In a Nutshell: Four ways to create a motivated workforce
HR leaders can boost workforce motivation through four key strategies: actively listening to employees and acting on their feedback, investing in learning and development opportunities, and creating a fun, inclusive workplace culture. When staff feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to remain engaged and loyal to the organization.
Talent Spot: Angela Williams, HR director at British Gas
Angela Williams, HR director at British Gas, works to reshape the utilities company’s outdated image while engaging 35,000 employees as brand advocates. Her career spans roles at ExxonMobil, BH Blackwell, and Disney, where she gained experience in HR, business development, and organizational transformation.
News: Local hubs to help employers share under-utilised workers’ skills
Skill Exchange UK, a new not-for-profit scheme, launched today in Northern Ireland to help employers share under-utilized staff skills and work experience through local hubs. The initiative enables businesses to temporarily lend employees to other companies facing skills gaps, with salary costs shared between employers. The program will expand across the UK over three years.
In a Nutshell: Five ways to ensure that HR works effectively with the business
HR leaders can strengthen business alignment by simplifying complex strategies, communicating carefully with clarity and impact, anticipating organizational change, investing time in one-on-one relationships with executives, and consistently following through on all interactions.
How important is industry background when taking on a new HR hire?
Industry background can be advantageous when hiring HR professionals since they understand sector-specific demands and can settle into roles faster. However, HR skills are fundamentally transferable across industries, and success depends more on organizational culture and leadership buy-in than on prior sector experience.
In a Nutshell: Five ways to get the most out of your team
Learn five practical strategies for getting the most out of your team, from appreciating daily positives and recognizing staff contributions to supporting independent problem-solving and taking personal responsibility for your leadership choices.
Blog: CIPD 2012 – A view from the fringe
The CIPD 2012 fringe event showed a significant shift toward business-focused HR priorities, with less emphasis on introspective industry discussions. Notable trends included fewer L&D providers at the exhibition, widespread social media engagement during sessions, and growing recognition of independent HR professionals beyond large organizations.
News: CIPD 2012 – ‘Crowdsourcing is the future of management’
Leadership guru Gary Hamel told the CIPD conference that crowdsourcing represents the future of management, arguing organizations must embrace “management 2.0” by decentralizing power, enabling innovation, and replacing traditional hierarchies with social networks to remain relevant in a changing economy.
News: CIPD 2012 – ‘HR must redefine itself’, says Peter Cheese
CIPD Chief Executive Peter Cheese called for HR to redefine its purpose and engage with broader strategic business and social issues to address the volatile post-recession world. He emphasized rebuilding organizational culture, trust in leadership, and understanding tomorrow’s workforce while addressing youth and older worker unemployment.
A day in the life of a newly-appointed HR director
A newly-appointed HR director at UK Mail outlines her strategic priorities, including pension auto-enrolment implementation, employee engagement, and developing employer branding across the logistics company’s 2,600-strong workforce. Her focus combines operational expertise with people strategy to support the business vision during the first critical 100 days.
In a Nutshell: Five ways to introduce change without alienating staff
Discover five practical strategies for managing organizational change while keeping staff engaged. HR leader Liz Reynolds shares how listening to employees, communicating vision clearly, building trust, thorough planning, and showing generosity can help businesses navigate growth and transformation successfully.
Five tips for becoming a successful interim
Discover five essential tips for building a successful interim career, from choosing the right agency and role type to understanding tax implications and professional insurance requirements.
News: CBI union proposals dismissed as “attempt to weaken employees’ voice”
The CBI has proposed changes to trade union laws, claiming they need modernizing for today’s workplace. The TUC has rejected the proposals, arguing they would weaken employee representation rather than improve workplace democracy.
In a Nutshell: Five tips to foster a change-friendly culture
Building a change-friendly culture requires strategic HR initiatives: restructure departments for flexibility, develop strong future leaders, ensure employees match their roles, adopt lean principles for bottom-up change, and maintain open communication about transformation goals.
Talent Spot: Liz Reynolds, HR director at Trustmarque Solutions
Liz Reynolds, HR director at technology reseller Trustmarque Solutions, manages the challenges of rapid growth while building a strong workplace culture. The company recently ranked 66th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For, reflecting Reynolds’ commitment to staff motivation and innovation.
How to ensure social media doesn’t stop you from being hired
Hiring managers increasingly search social media during recruitment, so keep personal and professional accounts separate and monitor your online presence. Complete professional profiles, avoid negative comments, and be selective about connections to ensure your social media doesn’t harm your job prospects.
