In our jargon filled and
target driven working lives there is a real danger of becoming totally task orientated. When we’re at work we talk about how busy we
are and everything we have on the go, we work overtime (too often unpaid) to get through the in-tray and In-box, and when we go home we will often still
have work on our minds. And it’s not
just you. The majority of people around
you are probably just the same.
It’s the nature of a
cut-throat environment, especially in the depths of a recession, that everyone’s
first instinct at work is just to survive.
Keep the business afloat, avoid being a victim at the next round of
redundancies, and keep below the bosses radar by keeping your head down.
The trouble with this approach is it’s
actually counter-productive. A task
driven focus tends to ignore the crucial fact that it’s people who make a
business succeed or fail. Not charts,
not targets, not a Victorian mill owners hire and fire attitude and fiery work
ethic, not the latest IT system or US originated jargon-riddled management “system”
– but humans.
Don’t’ get me wrong. All of the above features have their place, and
any organisation trying to operate without good systems is a disaster waiting
to happen, but my point is that the system should never be the prime focus. The system, whether it’s the IT or the
paperwork flow, or the way orders are processed in the warehouse, is there to
help the people do the work in the best way they possibly can. And a good system will help them to interact
with their colleagues smoothly and efficiently, and for managers to treat each
other and their staff in a way that keeps people content and productive.
Human Resources Management - The Basics
This is the art of Human Resources, and Human Resource Management - keeping the balance between the fact that
everyone in an organisation is both Human and a Resource. The business or organisation needs people to
perform to succeed, but it must also create an environment that makes people
want to do that. To make sure they feel
valued and appreciated for what they do, from the cleaner all the way up to the
MD. That way they want to come to work,
they want to do a good job, and they’re happy to go the extra mile to keep
themselves and their colleagues gainfully employed.
Far too often we hear about
mangers in areas such as Sussex who exploit a difficult employment market to act like something from
the 19th Century. Most of us at
some time or another have worked for the kind of boss who, when asked what
bonus they might get at Xmas, tells his staff “You’ll still have a job in the
New Year”. The irony is most of the
people hearing this would really rather not be there in the New
Year. They’re not motivated and usually
only do as little as they can get away with.
The smart manager is the one who creates an atmosphere that keeps people
keen willing to support each other and the business.
Here's a good idea to keep with my theme......
http://www.hrzone.com/blogs/strategic-employee-recognition-derek-irvine/appreciating-favorite-co-worker/144497
and some places to get sound advice....
and some places to get sound advice....
http://www.jrhumanresources.co.uk/managing-people.php
http://www.cipd.co.uk/blogs/