News: Clear link between HR effectiveness and financial growth – study
A Boston Consulting Group study of over 4,200 managers across 100+ countries found that organisations with effective HR functions generate revenues up to 3.5 times higher and profits 2.1 times greater than competitors. The highest performers excelled in integrated leadership development, talent management, and performance management practices.
Blog: Four considerations when learning to manage upwards
Managing up—building an effective relationship with your boss—is a critical skill not taught in school but essential for career success. This deliberate effort to connect with your manager, regardless of personality differences, directly impacts productivity and organizational results.
Talent Spot: Community blogger, Dianne Bown-Wilson
Dianne Bown-Wilson founded in my prime, a consultancy providing age management advice and strategic guidance to employers, policy makers, and older workers. Her diverse career spanning marketing, PR, copywriting, and HR informed her expertise in helping people adapt skills for career transitions and navigate longer working lives.
Blog: The 10 most effective ways to lose your team’s respect
Learn the ten critical leadership mistakes that damage team morale and undermine your credibility as a manager. This guide reveals common poor leadership habits—from overreacting and taking undue credit to punishing publicly and breaking promises—that erode respect and motivation in your organization.
How to administer pay cuts in times of austerity
Learn how governments and businesses are implementing pay cuts during austerity, from Spain’s royal family taking 7% reductions to NHS managers cutting wages 5%. Discover strategies for managing controversial cost-cutting measures while maintaining employee acceptance.
Christina’s Counsel: Managing attitude problems remotely
When managing remote employees, addressing attitude problems requires immediate action even without direct evidence. A manager must investigate complaints confidentially, support affected staff, enforce company policy consistently, and establish regular face-to-face check-ins to maintain team cohesion and accountability in satellite offices.
Blog: The power of story-telling
Storytelling captivates audiences in ways that PowerPoint presentations often cannot. By removing visual aids and relying on narrative, speakers connect more authentically with listeners, making their messages more memorable and impactful.
Talent Spot: Philippe Ferrie, head of HR at Vallourec
Philippe Ferrie, head of HR at Vallourec, successfully led the implementation of a global HR information system across the company’s decentralized operations in just five months. Drawing on principles of respect and active listening, Ferrie has built a career navigating major organizational challenges at manufacturing and pharmaceutical giants including Rio Tinto, Sanofi, and DuPont.
Talking Point: Is it better to outsource training or offer it in-house?
HR directors report that while employee performance has improved, many staff aren’t working to full potential. This article examines the pros and cons of in-house training versus outsourcing to help organizations maximize their training ROI and boost productivity effectively.
How to tackle your first 100 days as HR director – Part 1
New HR directors face significant pressure to deliver results in their first 100 days. Success requires stepping back from immediate firefighting to create an intelligent plan that anticipates challenges, establishes clear priorities, and positions you as a strategic leader rather than a task-focused operator.
News: Shop floor workers make better leaders than general managers
Research from Cass Business School and the University of Sheffield shows that leaders with hands-on experience in their industry outperform career general managers. A 60-year analysis of Formula One revealed teams led by former drivers or mechanics won twice as many races, suggesting expert leaders with deep technical knowledge are more effective than pure generalists.
News: Police forces consider canning G4S shared services deal
Three UK police forces are reconsidering a £73 million deal to outsource back office jobs to G4S, following the company’s Olympic security staffing failures. The chief constables of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire police are reviewing whether to proceed with the plan to outsource 1,100 HR, finance and IT positions.
News: Olympics troops sleep on chairs, while civilians get luxury cruise liner
Olympic security troops sleep on chairs and camp beds while civilian workers enjoy luxury cruise liners with swimming pools and maid service. The military deployment followed private contractor G4S’s failure to provide sufficient security staff for the Games.
Talent Spot: Eivind Slaaen, Hilti’s head of people and culture development
Eivind Slaaen, head of people and culture development at Hilti, believes creating the right company environment requires embedding cultural initiatives into organizational DNA rather than imposing them from HR. His career path from finance to HR specialization reflects a commitment to making meaningful impact through people-focused strategy.
Book Review: Management in 10 words by Terry Leahy
This book by the recently retired chief executive of Tesco is worth reviewing simply because he is among the most successful leaders of his generation. As Terry Leahy tells us early on, Tesco was struggling to compete with more successful retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s when he joined the company’s board. […]
Is it time to get out of HR?
HR professionals can advance to board-level roles by gaining cross-functional experience outside HR, such as line management positions in other departments. This broader business exposure helps leaders understand commercial operations, build credibility with stakeholders, and develop the strategic skills needed for senior leadership.
CEO Insight: Stinkyink’s John Sollars on staff motivation and development
Stinkyink CEO John Sollars prioritizes staff development over rigid performance goals, allowing employees to grow through varied responsibilities and mentoring. He emphasizes pushing team members beyond their comfort zones, citing success stories of employees advancing into management roles and discovering new career directions.
The art of influencing and making your ideas stick
Discover how to make your ideas stick using six proven principles of influence: reciprocity, scarcity, authority, liking, social proof, and consistency. Learn from behavioral science expert Steve Martin why information alone isn’t enough to persuade others, and actionable strategies to influence people’s decisions and actions effectively.
Blog: Exclusive HRzone survey – What’s your leadership style?
Discover your leadership style through an exclusive HRzone survey exploring five key management roles—Prophet, Storyteller, Coach, Strategist, and Pilot. Learn which leadership competencies are strongest among HR professionals and identify areas for development to build high-performance cultures.
Blog: Is an anti-bullying policy enough?
Workplace bullying is a cultural issue that cannot be solved through policy alone. Research shows that even employees who aren’t directly bullied but work in bullying environments are more likely to leave. Organizations must address this by defining desired behaviors, rewarding positive conduct, and taking decisive action against violations.
