Investments and Business

HR is more than just an administrative function. HR departments are a key strategic partner in driving business results and shaping organizational culture. For example, Human Resources played a critical role in supporting organizations through COVID-19. The department became more focused on strategy as employee expectations and business demands changed. This meant a change of HR focused on products for results. But the transformation of human resources departments did not begin or end with the pandemic. HR functions H H. and People Ops that have a tangible impact on business results by creating results are taken more seriously, and being…

Going through layoffs or a reduction in the workforce (RIF) can create a ripple effect in an organization, from a drop in morale to a dismal increase in turnover. If not handled carefully, layoffs can transform a once thriving culture into a toxic environment. Sloan from MIT recently studied Glassdoor data to assess the impact of layoffs on surviving employees and company cultures. They found that the more often employees mentioned layoffs, outsourcing, or the possibility of being laid off in their reviews, the lower their company ranked for culture. Leading through challenging times, HR leaders must think outside the…

After a layoff or reduction in force (RIF), the remaining employees may be left wondering, now what? It is typical for employees and even managers to worry about how things will change for them and the remaining team members. As the dust begins to settle after a RIF, confusion can set in and “who is doing what” can get a bit tricky. When this happens, the clarity of the role of employees suffers. Addressing role clarity after layoffs is critical to avoid a decline in productivity, engagement, employee morale, and retention. In many cases, a complete reset of role clarification…

As unpleasant as layoffs or downsizing (RIF) can be for everyone involved, they are sometimes necessary for the future health and growth of a company. With the current economic climate—inflation, banking crisis, global conflicts, supply chain issues, you name it—many companies around the world have had to make that difficult decision. According to a survey conducted by SoftBank Vision Fund62% of CHROs report that they have reduced their workforce in the past year. During an RIF, the logistics and execution of layoffs, and all the difficult conversations that go along with them, tend (understandably) to dominate the focus of HR…

A high performing employee is every manager's dream... right? Well yes, everyone wants to work with talented people doing great things. But these employees are not necessarily easier to manage. It still takes a great manager to bring out the best in themselves and make them feel appreciated, inspired and engaged. The key to working with high performers and avoiding burnout is strong relationships, open communication, and a growth-focused mindset. To put that into practice, you'll need a well-thought-out, considered performance management strategy. Here are ten high performance management best practices to keep in mind as you get to know…

We all want to be satisfied with our work. None of us wants to hate what we do, get paid badly, get treated badly, or experience “Sunday scares” because we dread the work week so much. But is satisfaction enough? Does having a workforce full of satisfied employees always lead to positive business results? The terms "employee satisfaction" and "employee engagement" are often used interchangeably. But while you can assume that engaged employees are satisfied with their jobs, not all satisfied employees are engaged. (Hope for?) To clear things up, let's dive into what distinguishes employee satisfaction and engagement and…

Diversity in the workplace is a hotly contested topic as companies try to discover the secret ingredient behind improved employee engagement, improved innovation, expanded creativity, and better attraction and retention of new recruits. talents. But what does diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) really mean? And how does DEI appear in the workplace, whether remote, hybrid, or full-time in-person? We'll see. What is diversity, equity and inclusion? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core principles that guide fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace and value the unique attributes and perspectives of people of all backgrounds. DEI strives to create a work…

Imagine that you need to teach a kindergarten class to read. You divided the class into two groups and used a different strategy for each one. A group of children had hands-on time with a teaching assistant several times a week. They discussed all the learning materials in depth, exploring what they enjoyed, what they were struggling with, and what additional support they needed to develop a love of reading. The other group just got their workbooks and watched some lessons. They had a big exam at the end of the year, and that was the first time they ever…