Surfing strategically (Web Sight, June 17, 2002)

Becoming a strategic player and contributing to organizational decision-making remains an elusive proposition for many people in HR. The following sites provide some food for thought on this topic.

Building tomorrow’s workforce
www.cio.com/archive/091500/upclose_content.html

This is a lengthy article that looks at cases where HR is at the boardroom table and also where IT and HR are successfully teaming up to build tomorrow’s workforce.

Perspectives of visionaries
www.concoursgroup.com/public/publications/hr_imperative.asp

This site offers a brief introduction into a paper on the subject of the integration of IT and HR. Based on conversations with Peter Drucker and other noted business visionaries, the paper is worth checking out even though you have to subscribe to get the full article. There is no cost but it takes a little time to register.

Managing the talent pool
http://specials.ft.com/boardroom/FT3QDBIG4TC.html

Why staff really are a company’s greatest asset is a short article by Joff Wild. Survey results indicate that one-in-four employees leave their job each year. This statistic emphasizes the importance of managing the talent pool. The article links this important task with the importance of board representation by HR, and presents some surprising statistics from the U.K.

HR as paperpusher
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020411/112331_1.html

A revealing insight into how HR is perceived in many organizations. In response to the question “Where I work, management thinks HR is…” an astonishing 53 per cent said “just there for payroll and paperwork.” Unscientific for sure, but the message is clear, regardless of what management really thinks, there are many disaffected HR workers out there.

A role for HR
www.shrm.org/hrmagazine/articles/0400joinson.htm

What role should HR play in selecting board members? How does HR get to the table? How can HR’s strengths be leveraged in the recruitment process for directors?

The problem with boards
www.people-one.com/thehub/peopleware/feature/feature_century.asp

This interesting perspective comes from India. What are the problems with most boards today? Well for starters, a lack of diversity and a lack of accountability, says this author.

Where HR and IT meet
www.ihrim.org/market/booksnpubs/russo.cfm

Another discussion on the integration of HR and IT. “For the HR function to reach its potential as a strategic asset for the company, it must use technology to surface data to drive decision-making that impacts the organization’s bottom line.” The article warns that, “perhaps the greatest inherent risk with the increased use of technology in the HR arena is that the ‘human’ aspect of human resources will be lost.”

Don’t leave the HR out of eHR
http://www.softwaresource.co.uk/NLtraindevFEAT.asp?itemID=603

This article focuses on the use of technology to streamline processing and asks why more isn’t being done to provide proactive planning tools.

In search of recognition
www.paconsulting.com/news/media_about/199906250.html

More data on the lack of HR’s role in the boardroom and dire predictions that this will continue until HR professionals are able to clearly demonstrate the value they could bring to the table — if they were invited.

Mad TV’s take on HR
www.dun.org/sulan/ideas/barney.htm

There is no good explanation for this single page being on the Internet – but it offers interesting food for thought.

Joe Nunes is an actuary and president of Actuarial Solutions Inc. in Oakville, Ont. He can be reached at (905) 257-2038 or [email protected].

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