The HR business partner health check
Assess how well your HR Business Partner model is working with this health check. Learn what’s needed at central and local levels to translate HRBP theory into effective practice that drives business strategy and builds manager engagement.
UK political figures lack leadership qualities – study
A study of 2,000 business leaders found UK political party heads scored poorly on leadership qualities, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown ranked last at 4.5, while Richard Branson topped the poll at 8.06. Over a quarter of managers remained undecided on which party to support ahead of the general election.
Skills gap worst in leadership, management and technical roles
A government-commissioned report reveals the UK’s most severe skills gaps are in leadership, management, and technical roles, with 1.7 million workers not fully proficient in their jobs. Poor training investment and inadequate manager development threaten Britain’s competitive position globally.
Engaging your talent through embodied leadership
Embodied leadership inspires talent engagement by integrating thinking, emotion, and action to create “elegant organisations.” Leaders who tap into employees’ four energy levels—muscular capability, motivation, passion, and inspiration—unlock discretionary effort and sustained healthy high performance.
M&S – HR business partners getting the balance right
Marks & Spencer transformed its HR function into true business partners to balance short-term cost management with long-term talent retention during the recession. By maintaining investment in training and development while managing costs, M&S aimed to preserve its employer of choice status and avoid the talent depletion that typically follows economic downturns.
Technology – HR’s best friend?
Modern HR technology now provides organizations with data-driven insights into workforce performance, helping HR leaders demonstrate the business value of people strategies and earn recognition at the boardroom level.
Layla Bunni’s on the case: Facebook fail by employee
An HR case study examines disciplinary action against a payroll employee who disclosed colleagues’ confidential remuneration details on Facebook. The breach of confidentiality constitutes gross misconduct potentially warranting summary dismissal, highlighting the need for employers to implement clear social media policies.
HR business partners: Old habits die hard
Transitioning HR generalists to Business Partner roles requires more than new titles and training—they must break old habits that undermine success. Business Partners should stop handling individual employee requests, assuming facilitator roles in meetings, waiting passively for customers, and performing transactional tasks, instead focusing on strategic business impact and proactive partnership.
Transforming leadership
Effective modern HR leadership requires understanding both your business and the people you lead. Leaders who grasp employee motivation and state of mind—combined with insights from behavioral economics—will create sustainable competitive advantage as traditional process improvements reach diminishing returns.
Krafty job cuts at Cadbury?
Kraft’s takeover of Cadbury raises job security concerns for 4,500 UK employees, with the company’s Uxbridge head office already set to close. Kraft has signaled “meaningful cost savings” through restructuring, potentially moving operations to cheaper labor markets, mirroring its previous closure of Terry’s factory in York.
Developing a sense of ownership and responsibility among staff
Foster staff ownership and responsibility by focusing on what employees can control, listening to their concerns during change, and addressing inconsistent effort that demoralizes teams. Research shows that when people concentrate on their circle of influence rather than worry about external factors, they become more engaged and productive.
Colborn’s Corner – Do you like your chocolate sweet or bitter?
Explore the implications of Kraft’s takeover of Cadbury, examining how the acquisition affects British business tradition, employee welfare, and organizational culture. This column questions whether corporate paternalism still has value in modern employment practices.
Study reveals secrets to successful leadership
Research shows successful leaders prioritize democratic, people-focused management styles over purely target-driven approaches. According to a two-year Work Foundation study, self-aware managers who develop mutual relationships and enable staff performance generate better results than those seeking personal recognition.
Snow business: The winter survival kit for your organisation
Extreme weather disrupts UK businesses and threatens productivity, but remote working tools and cloud computing can help organisations maintain operations during severe conditions. Implementing flexible work policies and technology solutions reduces weather-related downtime and keeps employees safe while ensuring business continuity.
Are you moral enough to lead a culture of accountability?
Effective HR leadership requires building a culture of accountability with strategic systems that align employees with organizational goals, drive high performance, and attract top talent. HR departments must act as architects of integrated, performance-oriented environments that measure results and promote productivity across the organization.
Lessons from France Telecom – handling restructures
HR plays a vital role in managing workplace restructures by fostering open communication and supportive culture, as the France Telecom crisis demonstrated. When organizations fail to engage employees during major changes, disconnection and mental health crises can result. Effective restructuring requires clarity of purpose, alignment on shared goals, and leadership that prioritizes employee wellbeing alongside business objectives.
Engagement despite M&A – the impact on employer brand
During mergers and acquisitions, 52% of employees consider leaving their jobs due to loss of choice in their employer. HR can maintain engagement and protect the employer brand by conducting cultural audits, managing hygiene factors, and involving HR early in integration planning.
Discovering the leaders of the future
HR leaders must rethink what future leadership looks like post-financial crisis, focusing on candidates’ capacity to learn and adapt rather than traditional track records. As workforce supply tightens with Baby Boomer retirums, organizations need new selection criteria and talent pools to identify leaders who can engage stakeholders and navigate complexity.
10 new leader let downs
New leaders often make critical mistakes in their rush to make an impact quickly. Common pitfalls include dismissing prior organizational history, implementing changes without understanding existing systems, and imposing rigid solutions without considering unique organizational dynamics. Understanding these missteps can help new leaders lead more effectively.
Yes we can – Barack Obama’s leadership lessons
Explore Barack Obama’s leadership approach and the role of self-confidence in his rise to power. This analysis examines how his willingness to listen, make difficult decisions, and build strong teams offers valuable lessons for HR leaders seeking to develop authentic leadership skills.
