Krafty job cuts at Cadbury?
Following the shareholder approval of the Cadbury’s board recommended takeover offer by Kraft, the world’s second largest food company, there will inevitably be concerns amongst its staff that this will result in job losses. It has already been announced that Cadbury’s head office in Uxbridge will close and there are union fears that this will […]
Developing a sense of ownership and responsibility among staff
Efficiency is about taking ownership and responsibility for behaviours as much as it is about designing new business processes, says Andy Neal of Changemaker International. It is important that businesses are run efficiently, even more now when companies are facing greater challenges from the economy. Yet at times such as this, businesses cannot afford to […]
Colborn’s Corner – Do you like your chocolate sweet or bitter?
Is Kraft and Cadbury simply another iconic British brand being sold overseas like Jaguar and Bentley? More importantly, what about the internal culture of the business and the impact on the employees? This month’s Colborn’s Corner addresses the issues that flow from the takeover and considers the implications both inside and outside the organisation. The […]
Study reveals secrets to successful leadership
Although most organisations believe that strong managers with a target and numbers-driven approach are crucial to success during a recession, a new study has revealed that bosses with a more democratic, people-oriented style generate better performance. According to a two-year research project undertaken by the Work Foundation, self-aware leaders who focus on developing mutual relationships […]
Snow business: The winter survival kit for your organisation
Snowed under? Get some relief from the cold snap with this advice exploring creating extreme weather policy and making the most of technology. As waves of snow sweep into Britain from Siberia, civilisation as we know it appears to have broken down. With transport and infrastructure severely disrupted, up to 20% of workers […]
Are you moral enough to lead a culture of accountability?
Effective human resources leadership can only be built upon a culture of accountability, says Chris Seabourne, Partner with CTPartners. For any company – regardless of its industry, location, or business model – its employee base represents one of its most valuable assets and one that is absolutely key to achieving performance, growth and profitability objectives. […]
Lessons from France Telecom – handling restructures
Performance culture expert Nigel Watson of Q4 Solutions explores why the role HR can play in restructuring is so vital, ensuring staff are mentally prepared and are working within a supportive culture in order to avoid problems like those seen at France Telecom. The recession has forced many businesses to review how they operate and […]
Engagement despite M&A – the impact on employer brand
Rebecca Clake examines the issues with a merger or acquisition and what HR can do to maintain engagement and keep key staff using recent research from CIPD. CIPD’s new report on mergers and acquisitions defines the employer brand as a ‘two way deal between an organisation and its people – the reason they choose to […]
Discovering the leaders of the future
Are we in an upturn or, as some financial analysts would say, ‘a dead cat bounce’? Whichever way the economy moves next, we in the HR community will be the main architects of talent systems and processes that deliver the right people to lead organisations. But will leaders of the future be the same as […]
10 new leader let downs
The so-called ‘new brooms’ in an organisation might bring new blood and enthusiasm, but they don’t always get it right. Sarah Lewis investigates common pitfalls – and how to avoid them. The pressure on new leaders or senior appointments to make an impact, and quickly, is tremendous. The organisation has spent time and money attracting, […]
Yes we can – Barack Obama’s leadership lessons
Paul Brindle discusses the effect self belief and confidence can have on leadership – and what lessons HR leaders can learn from Barack Obama. The unipolar world of Bush was not something that could, or would, last forever. An autocratic stance and unilateral attitude when the Asian star was in the ascendant was perhaps unwise: […]
Would you pass the leadership test?
Paul Kennedy, HR Director at sportswear company New Balance explains the test leaders should set themselves, and why it’s important to be honest when looking in the mirror… Since 1990 we have operated with a calm economy, successful organisations, low unemployment and generally a good warm feeling about everything that we do. In the last […]
The critical dimensions of leadership
When it comes to leadership, do you know how to set objective criteria? Christian Hasenoehrl provides insight on avoiding the pitfalls of common perception. Leadership selection through promotion or recruitment, boards and senior executives routinely focus on certain skills, experiences or traits that at least appear, intuitively, to be important. Often they look for team […]
Leadership culture: Stephen Covey speaks
Changing an ingrained culture isn’t easy, but leadership expert Stephen Covey has made it his life’s work to empower employees and improve performance. He told LeadershipZone how organisations can bring the change they wish to see. As someone who has dedicated his life to demonstrating how anybody – at any level – can […]
Defining an engaging leader
Andy Lowe provides an exploration of the kind of qualities HR need to cultivate to harvest a crop of great leaders of the future. When it comes to leadership, there are so many questions to be answered. Test yourself: what criteria do you use to decide how to you invest in tomorrow’s leaders? Do you […]
How leadership can help the economic recovery
Leadership will be a key aspect when business seeks to recover from the recession. Experts in leadership including Ken Blanchard and Tom Peters share their thoughts. Whether it is representing the brand’s values or inspiring and engaging staff, the role of leader has never been so important as it will be in 2010. The present […]
FAQ: Long-term sickness absence
Dealing with long-term sickness can be daunting. We present everything you wanted to know about dealing with long-term sickness absence but were afraid to ask, from legal expert Rayner Jones. Coping with staff sickness absence can be a major headache for employers. Dismissal is always a last resort. But, sometimes, it is the only option […]
Saving the endangered business partner
Grahame Russell considers how far the Ulrich model has come and where it fits in with today’s human resources department. Three years ago I rather mischievously suggested that we were entering the ‘post Ulrich era’, a period of reflection for global HR given that our beloved guru and HR proponent had been quiet for three […]
Now is the time for a new role
David Barnard examines the various ways in which managers must adapt their role to the recession, and explains how to lead teams successfully through the crisis. At ten o’clock last night, the tandoori restaurant on the corner of my road was empty. Unheard of. Each evening, I walk home down a street full of restaurants. The […]
How HR can sell itself to top management
Struggling to be strategic? Dave Millner offers his top tips to help HR directors to win friends and influence people. Many HR functions have been downsized, not because HR provides a lack of strategic value but because of the lack of effective marketing. Too often, HR simply fails to provide quantifiable proof […]
