The ongoing discussions about the true value and benefits of a well-organized human resources function continue to occupy a considerable amount of time in Executive meeting rooms across the globe. From international conglomerates to small business owners, key questions focusing on the best uses and practices of human resources demand critical consideration. How do we compare human resources cost versus benefits? What practices should we outsource versus keep in house? What part does HR really play in running a successful business? These are all very valid questions and therefore worth exploring.
Back Office Support Solutions is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM.
In my many years of functioning on all sides of the human resources puzzle – individual contributor, human resources corporate executive, human resources consultant and small business owner – my conclusions about the value of HR have evolved as much as the technology we have used throughout the years to administer it. However one observation has remained constant; well-run human resources functions are the CORPORATE FIREFIGHTERS. Experienced human resources professionals put out fires. That’s what we do. I’m sure many of us would prefer to prevent them, but we are especially good at putting them out. We don’t always know what the day will present us with but rest assured that somewhere and sometime during the day we will grab the boots and helmet, slide down the pole and race off to extinguish a company fire. Whether it’s a manager having a problem with an employee, workplace conflict resolution, the latest insurance premium increase, a Worker’s Compensation claim or a Regulatory Compliance Audit, it is all in a day’s work for the HR professional.
The human resources function requires time, specific expertise and an ability to put aside other corporate matters to seek out and extinguish an immediate fire. However, just as importantly, seasoned human resources professionals are experts in conflict prevention, human resource strategy, anticipating and eliminating organizational hotspots and saving critical resources through organizational planning.
All businesses need qualified HR professionals. They can ill afford the risk of potential liability, the spiraling cost of staffing and the time consuming HR issues that take away from the core business functions. Regardless of an organization’s size or industry, a knowledgeable and well run human resources function will minimize or all together avoid common pitfalls and costly mistakes. Now more than ever small and medium sized businesses must secure high quality human resources expertise.
Here are three (3) keys to maximizing the human resources function within your organization:
- Clearly understand the relationship between human resources and organizational productivity. Utilize the HR function to better prepare your workforce through clearly defined Policies and Expectations, Performance Management, Training & Development
- Utilize human resources strategically in the front end of the process (incident prevention) instead of the back end (damage control). Your HR professional should be viewed and utilized as a strategic partner in all areas of the business. Allow us to prevent the fires more often than rushing to extinguish them. Problems will be fewer, time spent will be less and the cost of doing business will be reduced substantially.
- Outsource human resources management and administration to professionals who have the specific expertise. Outsourcing HR allows small to medium sized companies to secure the same high quality professional experience at a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time HR staff. This will allow your managers to run and grow your business.
Corporate Support Solutions
In today’s business climate, the HR professional is greatly valued when we extinguish the corporate fires. However, the HR function is much more valuable when anticipating potential issues and engaging in prevention rather than damage control. Does your organization have a true strategic partner in human resources? The good news is that you can and that there are cost-effective corporate support solutions: outsourcing human resources. Get the expertise you deserve so you can focus on what you do best.
This article was written by Ricardo H. Correia, human resources Manager for Back Office Support Solutions (BOSS)
