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Training Course Summary:

There is overwhelming evidence that having an effective HR Strategy can improve business performance. And although 8 out of 10 large organisations have an HR strategy many struggle to answer:

Are they effective?
What should they include?
Which comes first – HR or business strategy?
How is success and ‘added value’ to the business measured?
Many of us in HR believe our roles should be that of a strategic business partner and agents of change, yet how many of us remain frustrated that the function remains too focused on operational issues. In developing and implementing an effective strategy, HR has a real opportunity to shine – yet many continue to fail to deliver.

Businesses are finally paying more than just lip service to the idea that employees are an asset rather than a cost, but how can you produce a best practice strategy which incorporates superior HR practices and creates added value to help your organisation beat their competitors?

An effective strategy can have a powerful impact on the human capital in your organisation, ensuring a proactive and integrated approach is taken to achieve positive attitudes, employee commitment and outstanding performance. Once written, you need to make sure that it continually energises and focuses key leaders within your business. This programme will show you how.


This one-day programme will help you:

Design an effective HR strategy for your organisation
Incorporate and manage HR practices which lead to enhanced organisational and individual performance
Identify ways to effectively engage others in supporting your goals
Align your strategy to organisational success
Measure success for critical areas
Identify key measures of success for managing HR
Be confident and competent in discussions with your senior team.
This programme will help you improve business performance - and demonstrate that you have done so.

Who Should Attend:

This programme is intended primarily for:

HR directors
HR managers
HR officers
The programme is equally applicable to private and public sector organisations.

Training Course Overview/Content:

1. The need for an HR strategy

What is an HR Strategy?
Essential components for an effective strategy
What are the benefits?
The link from strategy to business performance
Which comes first: chicken or egg?
Corporate v HR strategy
What is the difference between HR strategy and HR planning?
Key differences in operation
What supporting evidence is there to show success?
Examples of UK and US best practice in action
2. Developing the strategy

Understanding business needs and key drivers of change
Key information sources
Key models for HR strategy
The Chain Gang
High-commitment HR
Alignment within the business
Case studies identifying success
Best practice and beyond
Determining key interventions
Employee segmentation
Designing a values-driven strategy
3. Turning strategy into action

Increasing your chances of success
Gaining commitment from others
Champions of support
Blocks and barriers
Empowering the line manager
HR capabilities
Abandoning the comfort zone
Who is ultimately responsible?
HR leadership
Creating the right environment
Communication to support implementation
Essential resources to ensure success
4. Managing meaning

Integration: the impossible dream?
Anticipating problems with integration
Overcoming problems with integration
Strategy and limitations
Redefining your strategy in times of change
Creating a culture of change
HR and the learning organisation
Adapting HR processes for change
Common gaps in HR thinking
5. Measuring success

Assessing effectiveness
Correlating HR strategy success to business success
Making the difference
Hard evidence and data
Continual engagement
Active and visible champions of change
Ongoing communication