Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/136276
Thought Leaders True Competitive Advantage Some captains of the HR industry share their views on the state of the profession. And it's not all good. By Russ Banham After six years of achieving remarkable expense efficiencies, of HR; among those that do, unfortunately, HR sometimes isn't pulling up the bootstraps and generally playing it conservative, up to the demands. "Unless the HR director is at the table and companies are again on the hunt for growth opportunities. In appreciated fully as an enabler of strategy, there is little to no this quest, resources are being devoted to research, new product chance of maximising the people assets to undertake whatever development, and forays into new markets and geographies. strategy is contemplated," says Margaret Spink, managing director of HR services at BPO service provider Xchanging. Great news, of course. But many CEOs are plotting out five-year strategic plans for significant expansion with little thought given These are strong words, but they carry quite a bit of meaning. For to the human capital assets needed to undertake the stated instance, while finance has a position on the board to express its growth initiatives. This responsibility should belong to the HR views on any new strategic direction and influence the direction director—if only he or she were asked whether the organisation accordingly, HR does not typically have this ability—a mistake, actually has the skill sets to pull off the strategy, and where there Spink contends. "The fundamental enabler of everything is might be voids. people," she says. "And it is HR's responsibility to recognise who these assets are and their skills, not just permanent staff but Then again, is HR up to this task? This question was asked of contractors, temps, partners, suppliers, and even job applicants." several HR leaders in the talent management space—let's call them captains of industry. By and large, they agree that most Others share this view. "Many HR functions do not frame the companies fail to provide a seat at the strategy table for the head employment relationship in the context of human capital [18] HRO TODAY GLOBAL | SPRING 2013