Intro to the Top Ten Tips...

Each month, Tim posts his 'Top Ten Tips' for HR practitioners on various subjects. This month's subject is 'Business Planning in HR...how to flex HR's muscle'. A list of subjects for forthcoming months and links to previous subjects can be found at the bottom of this page.

Seek out data on clients' perceived HR business needs throughout the business year. Don't wait until just days before the annual 'budget crunch';

Segregate their needs into 'musts' and 'wants' on an ongoing basis. Then, separate, communicate and agree with clients the reasons for including certain 'musts' in the forthcoming Business Plan;

Insist, constructively, on being 'in the loop and at the table' when business plans are being reviewed by top management which will have any implication on HR programs;

Resist any uncoordinated effort to cut the HR training budget supporting business plans unless the implications are fully shared and understood by management;

Analyse, then compare and contrast, the 'corporate' needs with the ability of the workforce to respond in a timely way;

Gather and present quantitative and qualitative data outlining any HR-related 'risks' and exposures inherent in the Plan;

Tackle any conflicts and anomalies in the Plan constructively, not emotionally;

Demonstrate what HR can do with existing resources reasonably; have Plan 'B' and Plan 'C' at your fingertips;

Incline HR towards a 'yes', instead of a 'no', attitude;

'Fight' hard for the workforce; construct HR's Business Plan professionally with sound data and a 'can do' supportive attitude.

Timetable 2000 ... Top Ten Tips

Month	Subject
March	Interpersonal Conflict in the Workplace
April	Harassment in the Workplace...practical considerations
May	360° Feedback...is it right for you?
June	Settling post-termination disputes; mutual gains
July	Business Planning in HR...how to flex HR's muscle
August	Grievance management in unionized and non-unionized workplaces
September	Key Lessons in 'Downsizing'...maintaining business & employee relationships under difficult circumstances