In a Nutshell: Six considerations when devising an HR strategy
Develop an effective HR strategy by understanding your business and people, focusing on five key priorities, and securing broad buy-in through clear communication. Expert guidance emphasizes simplicity, measuring progress with SMART criteria, and presenting your plan in accessible language that drives actual implementation.
Blog: Five ways to encourage a proper workplace dialogue
Discover five practical strategies for fostering genuine two-way dialogue in your workplace, from climate feedback sessions and story-swapping to coffee break conversations with leaders. Modern employees expect to have their voice heard—learn how to create the right blend of communication approaches for your organization’s culture.
Living Leader Learnings: Longer hours for less pay – How can I motivate my team?
When salaries are frozen and staff are stretched thin, leaders can’t simply motivate teams from the outside. Instead, create space for employees to take ownership of their working conditions by involving them in solving problems together and finding ways to work more efficiently.
News: HR ‘must find fresh ways of developing tomorrow’s leaders’
HR must move beyond traditional “sheep-dip” training to develop leaders with self-awareness, integrity and strong ethical principles needed for today’s knowledge-based economy, according to the CIPD.
Blog: Don’t be done yet – HR still has a lot of work to do
Three-quarters of the workforce shows signs of disengagement, yet employers continue paying for full effort while receiving only half. HR faces significant challenges addressing this “done-ness” trend and the productivity gap it creates in today’s uncertain economic climate.
Maximising your emotional capital
Emotional intelligence and employee engagement are key drivers of business success. Research from Gallup’s study of 47,000 employees across 120 countries reveals that companies with high engagement outperform competitors by up to four times on productivity, profitability, and retention metrics.
Blog: How to beat the holiday blues and get back to business quickly
After summer break, managers should help teams return energized by reflecting on insights gained, refocusing on business strategy, and reconnecting as a unit. This approach boosts employee engagement and motivation for the busy months ahead.
Blog: Reshuffles – A matter of perception?
Cabinet reshuffles, like business team restructures, require balancing internal needs with external perceptions. Leaders must consider how organizational changes satisfy stakeholders while maintaining team performance and corporate objectives.
Infographic: Q2 employment snapshot
Q2 employment data shows mixed economic signals with job growth slowing while unemployment remains relatively stable. Key metrics reveal changes in hiring patterns, wage growth, and sector-specific employment trends that impact workforce planning and economic outlook.
Blog: The art of mobile motivation
Managers must adapt staff motivation strategies for mobile-first workplaces by creating content designed specifically for mobile devices and social media platforms, while balancing constant connectivity with employee well-being to avoid burnout.
Blog: How to build rapport during a job interview
Building rapport with your interviewer is crucial to interview success, as many hiring decisions are made within the first few minutes. By preparing thoroughly, listening actively, and viewing the interview as a two-way conversation rather than an interrogation, you can establish genuine connection and demonstrate you’re a credible fit for the role.
News: Marketing agency installs employee ‘mood monitor’
A marketing agency ranked among the UK’s best small companies to work for has installed an iPad-based ‘mood monitor’ to track employee satisfaction. The touch screen device allows staff to anonymously log their daily moods using facial icons, providing management with informal insights into workplace morale alongside formal appraisals.
Blog: What value do you bring to the table?
Discover how to demonstrate your professional value during job interviews and in your current role. Beyond credentials and resumes, learn why showcasing tangible examples of your work and articulating a clear value statement is essential for career advancement and securing opportunities.
Infographic: The impact of a misaligned HR and management team
When HR and management teams aren’t aligned, organizations face serious consequences including reduced productivity, poor employee retention, and inconsistent company culture. This infographic illustrates the key impacts of misalignment and why collaboration between these departments is essential for business success.
Diary of a misfit: Becoming a wildcard
Job hunting requires strategic positioning and authentic self-presentation. After a month of job searching and iterating his CV, the author shifted from being perceived as a misfit to a promising wildcard candidate by narrowing his focus to creative industries where his unconventional background becomes an asset.
The HRZone Interview: Best Companies’ Wayne Clarke on engagement
Wayne Clarke of Best Companies discusses eight critical factors for employee engagement, including leadership quality, management effectiveness, colleague relationships, and personal growth opportunities. He explains how recession has forced many organizations into survival mode, but those thriving must prioritize clear communication and authenticity to rebuild employee confidence and engagement.
Blog: Communication is the essence of good leadership
Effective communication is essential to strong leadership. Leaders who ignore team input, play favorites, or fail to acknowledge contributions create disengagement, turnover, and damage organizational culture. Poor communicators cannot truly lead.
Blog: Four arguments for why staff engagement is impossible
Staff engagement cannot be forced through programs or surveys. You cannot change or directly engage employees; instead, organizations must create environments of trust, appreciation, and purpose where employees choose to engage and develop voluntarily.
Blog: Workers crave recognition but don’t get enough – survey
A UK workforce survey reveals that 90% of employees say recognition motivates better performance, yet 37% feel underrecognized. Workers strongly value frequent acknowledgment over executive bonuses, with 87% believing bonus budgets could better fund employee recognition programs.
Ernst & Young uses strengths-based assessment for graduate recruitment
Ernst & Young shifted to strengths-based recruitment to identify high performers by assessing candidates’ natural talents and authentic abilities rather than rehearsed competency responses. In 18 months, the approach reduced unsuitable first-stage candidates by 15% while increasing qualified acceptances by 12%.
