In a Nutshell: Four ways to ensure that HR serves the business better

The closer HR is to the business, the better it can serve the business, believes Karl Jolly, director of people at Welcome Break Group. He certainly considers himself to be an ‘ops’ man through and through rather than being one step removed from business.   As a result, Jolly offers us advice based on his […]

Making a difference by mentoring

Ever thought about mentoring? According to Andy Coxall, curriculum director for Common Purpose, mentoring gives you ‘soul food’. Here, Andy speaks to Natalie Cooper about his year-long mentoring placement with Chance UK, a charity that works with 5-11 year old children who have behavioural problems. Andy offered to spend a year mentoring an eight year […]

In a Nutshell: Five tips for creating a positive company culture

Culture is one of those nebulous things that it’s hard to put your finger on: it’s something you instinctively know is spot on or out of kilter. Get it right and you have a happy workforce who will hopefully ensure that customers are happy too. Get it wrong and there is a chain reaction in […]

How to get ahead in HR

HR professionals have been put in the spotlight over the last two years as the function became even more critical during the downturn. Most are now working to execute strategies and make changes across various business functions to come up with innovative solutions to offset business cost pressures.   Throughout the economic crisis, many HR […]

In a Nutshell: Five ways to run a successful apprenticeship programme

The world of higher and further education is changing. Graduate unemployment rates are up and recent reports reveal that applications to English universities are down by 8.8% compared with 2010.   As a result, young people are looking for alternative ways to enter into a career and, after opening their A-level results today, more than […]

Do you get commercial?

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has been pushing the idea that HR professionals need to become more business-savvy for some time now. As a result, we interview Debbie Pask, founder of specialist HR recruitment consultancy, Paskpartnership, in order to find out why being able to demonstrate commercial nous is becoming vital for every […]

In a Nutshell: Five ways to make the most of your older workers

The UK’s working population is aging but attitudes towards older workers – despite legislation – are taking a long time to catch up with the change. Therefore, Dianne Bown-Wilson, who set up consultancy, in my prime, to help address just such issues, shares her top tips to help employers get the most out of their […]

Case Study: LV= focuses on staff enagement to negotiate change

LV= (London Victoria) has nearly tripled its workforce from 2,000 employees in 2007 to 5,600 in 2012 and now insures one in 10 cars on the road. But its HR director, David Smith, recognises that such fast growth can foster uncertainty and anxiety as well as generate cultural change that is not always positive.   […]

In a Nutshell: Five ways to nurture your own career

The current economic climate has really put into sharp focus HR’s contribution to business success. As businesses have downsized and try to hold on to and attract talent, they have turned to HR professionals to come up with innovative solutions to business issues.   Here are five ways to make yourself even more indispensable:   […]

Is it worth bothering with a CIPD qualification?

Although a CIPD qualification isn’t always requested by employers, there are always some hiring managers who include it as a prerequisite on their job specs and adverts. If you already have an HR-related degree or extensive industry experience, the CIPD may be less of a necessity – but it’s a well-respected qualification that could open […]

In a Nutshell: Five ways to ensure a positive relationship with the unions

Philippe Ferrie, worldwide employee relations coordinator at Vallourec, which makes specialist tubes for the oil and gas industry, has a long history of dealing with the unions. Here he offers his advice on the best way to ensure that you have a smooth and productive relationship with them too:   1. Show respect   I’ve […]

News: Govt launches 3-step mental health plan to save employers £10bn

Ministers have called on employers to take three steps to boost the mental health of their workers in a bid to save the UK economy £30 billion per year in lost productivity. Mental ill health such as depression and anxiety costs UK business more than £1,000 per employee each year, mainly in lost production as […]

In a Nutshell: Four tips for creating a positive company culture

Hilti, a major supplier of fastening and demolition systems to the construction industry, takes the idea of company culture very seriously and devotes 10 million Swiss francs and 30,000 working days per year to building and nurturing it. But Eivind Slaaen, the firm’s head of people and culture development, believes that, when you get down […]

Academic Insight: Charles Handy on leadership, work and well-being

Charles Handy, an author and philosopher who specialises in organisational behaviour and management, is described as a storyteller. Over the years, he has written a number of books that contain rich tales and showcase his ideas on the meaning of life, business and purpose.   Here, he opens up the floodgates and asks each of […]

Blog: How often should I change my job?

The job for life no longer exists. Modernisation of the world of work means many employees must now work harder to turn their dream career into reality. The old career paths have disappeared and you have to take responsibility for your career and progress. Perhaps you feel you’ve reached a career ceiling but still have the […]

Is it time to get out of HR?

 The route to the top in HR is fairly standard – you work your way up from HR adviser, spend some time in an HR specialism like comp and bens, acquire line management experience and impress the big bosses while doing it all. The shortage of HR representation at board level is well documented. But […]

In a Nutshell: Five ways to boost employee performance

All too often, employees can end up focusing their efforts on work that doesn’t really help to move the business forward.   So what can you do to help them make the shift from ‘just doing things’ to doing the right things in order to improve organisational performance?   The key is to encourage managers to […]

The art of influencing and making your ideas stick

1. Steve Martin on influence & communication Steve Martin is fascinated by the science of decision making and the power of influence. He explains: “I’m not interested in what people tell me they want to do; I’m interested in how they act.”   He also states that information alone as an attempt to influence clients, […]

News: NHS “pay cartel” proposes staff pay cuts and longer hours

Thousands of NHS staff in the South West of England could face the sack unless they agree to take pay cuts and work longer hours under a new money-saving scheme. A document leaked to the Sunday Times showed that NHS managers from 19 Trusts in the region have joined forces to form what is being […]

In a Nutshell: Five tips to motivate yourself and others

For Gill Crowther, HR director at the registry for all .uk internet domain names, Nominet, a key part of the job is trying to ensure that people love coming to work. The way to do this, she believes, is to give them roles that play to their strengths, but are also challenging.   But her […]