Organizations heavily rely on HR departments at the moment. This is a significant increase in dependence on HR departments. It is expected to keep up with the latest laws being passed. It is important to keep up with employees’ needs while working remotely. We want to be trusted advisors to the senior management team. HR is certainly up to the challenge, but the reader note today asks: “How can we make it all happen?”
A big thank you for your kind words about the HR Bartender. Your words have brightened my day. You are right that alignment is important in these times. This is an excellent question. How can HR professionals achieve alignment? These are some things to remember.
- Get to know your business. Although all businesses have some common elements, each organization has its operating philosophy. Human Resource professionals need to know how the business works, who the customers are, how much the business makes, and what the company’s financial goals are.
- Know your audience. This is what I mean when I say audience. It’s the senior management team. What are their concerns? It might also be worthwhile to determine their bonuses and performance evaluations.
- Get to know your employees. Every organization has a culture that values employee experience and company culture. Employees have their own needs and want, which they can share in surveys, one-on-one meetings, and exit interviews. Be open to both sides of the conversation.
- Find out what people want from human resources. Ask your colleagues to tell HR professionals what they expect from them. Managers may not be aware of all that HR can do for them. Listen and take notes. Be sure to confirm what you can do and then explain what you cannot.
- Learn how to communicate. This is related to number two, knowing your audience. Knowing how people prefer to get information, what time they are most responsive to it, and what format they prefer to consume data in is important.
Answering the first four questions will tell you what is important for the organization and its people. This last one allows you to communicate ideas in a way that appeals to their interests. It is not easy to understand the first four. It requires building relationships. It requires research. It takes research.
There are many great HR ideas. Alignment doesn’t mean picking one. The ideas of HR should enhance the business, enhance employee experience and assist senior managers in achieving their goals. Alignment refers to creating an idea that is practical for the organization and can get support from the management team. Then, being able to link the idea with organizational goals.