Blog: Taking a leaf out of marketing’s magic book of metrics
Brands built on strong ideals achieve triple the growth of competitors, according to research by Jim Stengel. The analysis reveals that companies deepening customer relationships through defined higher-order benefits outperform financially, offering lessons for HR departments seeking employee engagement strategies.
The Costa Concordia disaster: A personality problem?
Captain Francesco Schettino’s apparent panic and failure to effectively lead during the Costa Concordia disaster raises questions about personality factors in crisis management. The incident contrasts sharply with Captain Chesley Sullenberger’s composed response during the “Miracle on the Hudson,” highlighting how airlines rigorously screen pilot personalities for stress management, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
Blog: Cultivating a success culture
A success culture doesn’t happen by accident—it requires deliberate attention, planning, and nurturing. Leaders must understand how organizational culture shapes performance and learn to cultivate it intentionally, just like farmers cultivate crops, to gain a competitive edge.
Shift over last year in way HR viewed, reveals survey
A survey of HR directors reveals that two-thirds believe their role has shifted significantly over the past year, with 83% moving from transactional support to becoming strategic business partners. However, employment prospects remain mixed, with only 21% of HR leaders planning to increase headcount in the first half of 2012.
Talent Spot: Dan Grant, head of HR at Dell UK
Dan Grant, head of HR at Dell UK, believes success comes from honesty and delivering on commitments. He has spearheaded a major flexible working initiative called the Connected Workplace, which has been adopted by 60% of the UK workforce.
Regional mediation pilots for SMEs unveiled
Two regional mediation pilot projects have launched in Cambridge and Manchester to help small-to-medium-sized companies resolve workplace disputes before reaching employment tribunal. Each network will train 24 SMEs in informal mediation techniques, aiming to reduce tribunal claims and associated costs for employers and taxpayers.
Coral bets on SaaS-based workforce management system
Coral, the UK’s third-largest bookmaker, deployed WorkPlace System’s SaaS-based workforce management platform across 1,700 betting shops to manage 10,000 employees. The cloud-based system streamlines scheduling, attendance tracking, and staff allocation to reduce costs and improve customer service consistency.
Talent Spot: Darren Hockaday, HR director at London Overground
Darren Hockaday, HR director at London Overground, emphasizes the importance of staying deeply involved in operations and understanding every role within the organization. His hands-on approach has been essential for managing industrial relations and driving business success in the highly unionized rail industry.
Accord Energy Solutions: Becoming an employee-owned company
Accord Energy Solutions transitioned to an employee-owned business model to boost productivity and attract talent in the hydrocarbon accounting sector. Research shows employee-owned companies achieve 19% higher worker productivity and contribute significantly to the economy, making the model both sustainable and beneficial for growth.
Blog: Do employee benefits really improve recruitment and retention?
Employee benefits packages significantly influence recruitment and retention, with 43% of employees reporting their benefits kept them in their current role. Competitive, flexible benefits tailored to diverse employee needs can be as attractive as higher salaries, while clear communication about available benefits maximizes their impact on engagement and loyalty.
How many of your workforce would you hire again?
A survey of FTSE 250 HR directors found that 68% would not rehire their existing workforce, revealing a significant hiring problem. Research shows only about 25% of recruits are “linchpin” employees—reliable, high-quality performers who truly understand organizational value. HR leaders must clearly define what excellence looks like and hire strategically to build high-performing teams.
Olympus sues 19 current and former execs for £30m in compensation
Olympus is suing 19 current and former executives for £30 million in compensation as it recovers from a £1.1 billion accounting scandal. All sued board members, including president Shuichi Takayama, will resign by April, though former CEO Michael Woodford says a complete board overhaul is necessary to restore credibility.
Blog: Question for 2102 – why would someone work for you?
IBM’s former chief Samuel Palmisano identified four strategic questions for business growth, with “Why would somebody work for you?” being crucial for HR leaders. Organizations must clearly articulate their employee value proposition to attract and retain talent in competitive markets.
Former CEO turned whistleblower to sue Olympus for unfair dismissal
Former Olympus CEO Michael Woodford, who exposed a $1.7 billion accounting scandal, plans to sue the company for unfair dismissal after failing to regain shareholder support. Woodford says there are no grounds for his October termination and will seek damages in UK courts.
SME manufacturing initiative to create 23,000 jobs, claims Government
The UK Government’s revamped Manufacturing Advisory Service aims to create 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 more in small and medium-sized manufacturers. The nationally operated initiative, now administered by Grant Thornton and partners, will provide tailored business advice to boost competitiveness and generate £1.5 billion in economic growth.
Private sector pensions hit by “seismic collapse”
Nine out of ten private sector defined benefit pension schemes are now closed to new entrants, according to a study by the Association of Consulting Actuaries, widening the gap with better-protected public sector pensions and raising concerns about worker retirement savings.
Trends 2012: Talent management
In 2012, HR directors face significant talent management challenges including employment law changes, austerity-driven redundancies, and persistent talent gaps despite high unemployment. Key trends include aligning talent acquisition and mobility with business strategy, ensuring staff engagement amid economic uncertainty, and building leadership pipelines as baby boomers retire.
Blog: The UK’s first HRD-only networking event launches
The UK’s first HRD-only networking event launched as a quarterly series focused on measuring talent and HR performance. The exclusive network brings senior HR directors together to discuss strategic challenges, share best practices, and explore real-world solutions without sponsored content or membership fees.
Half of UK managers expect redundancies in 2012
Nearly half of UK managers surveyed expect their organizations to cut jobs in 2012, with over a third worried about their own employment security. The Chartered Management Institute study of 800 bosses found only 8% optimistic about the economy, citing public finances and eurozone instability as key concerns.
Update: Lloyds boss to return in January with reduced workload
Lloyds Banking Group’s chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio will return to work in January after stress-related sick leave, with reduced management responsibilities designed to ease his workload and strengthen senior management accountability.
