5 Ways HR Can Help Boost Business Productivity

The power is in the team, so you’d expect HR to be one of the most important functions in any business, of whatever size but this is often not the case, HR is seen as an overhead, a cost, something to be minimised. And besides how do you see the value of the HR?

Human Resources, not a very snappy name. Perhaps, “Staff Superstars” or “Culture Creators” or “Brand Boss” would be a better name. HR can get overlooked because it’s not new or trendy, it’s not tech or a new idea.

To be successful companies know they need to be proactive, agile, nimble, looking ahead, forward thinking, anticipating and continuously improving. Thinking about HR is like having to stop and check to see if you’ve polished your shoes this morning; it’s a bit samey, a bit dull and can get forgotten.

But it matters, a lot.

Recognising the significance of HR is pivotal.

Evaluating HR importance entails examining the consequences of inadequate or absent HR within an organisation. Poor recruitment practices can inflict substantial harm on a company. A single misfit, whether through attitude misalignment, negativity, or cultural incongruence, can sow discord within a team, impairing its functionality.

This discord can manifest through reciprocated inappropriate comments, the emergence of barriers to communication, and a stagnation of information and idea flow.

We can all see that a high performing business needs a high performing team, a high performing team needs high performing staff, high performing staff need .. recruiting. Then they need support, training, coaching, mentoring, encouragement, autonomy, trust, respect .. the list can go on. And who is going to provide this?

Everybody is very busy, they have their own jobs to do, managers and leaders need to manage and lead. Just when HR is needed most, HR is forgotten. HR can be there at these difficult times to help maintain service continuity, support the company’s competitive advantage and take a strategic role beyond recruitment.

The quality of the leadership, the culture and the skills within an organisation determines how profitable a business will be. HR is key to the effectiveness of these areas. A successful business implements its competitive advantage more effectively than its competitors, and who is going to implement this competitive advantage? Not the tooth fairy and perhaps not even HR, but HR should be involved in ensuring the right traits, personality types and skills have been recruited, that the staff members involved are properly motivated and managed. The functional managers and line managers will be setting goals, assessing performance, and may be too busy to see an over worked or demotivated employee or employees.

5 ways HR can help boost business productivity

Here are five effective strategies HR can employ to enhance business productivity and foster a thriving work environment:

Strategic Talent Acquisition

HR plays a pivotal role in sourcing, assessing, and onboarding top-tier talent. By crafting comprehensive recruitment strategies, leveraging diverse talent pools, and implementing rigorous selection processes, HR ensures that the organisation attracts individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align with the company's values and culture.

Proactive Performance Management

Collaborating closely with functional managers, HR monitors employee performance proactively. Through regular performance evaluations, constructive feedback sessions, and targeted development plans, HR helps identify underperformers early on, enabling timely interventions to address skill gaps, performance issues, or alignment challenges.

Alignment with Competitive Advantage

HR acts as a strategic partner in aligning its initiatives with the company's competitive advantage. By understanding the organization's unique strengths, market positioning, and long-term goals, HR designs tailored programs and policies that optimize workforce capabilities, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.

Motivation and Skill Enhancement

Recognizing that motivated and skilled employees are key drivers of productivity, HR focuses on fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Through training programs, skill development initiatives, performance incentives, and employee engagement activities, HR empowers staff members to excel in their roles, adapt to evolving business needs, and contribute meaningfully to organizational success.

Cultural Integrity Maintenance

Upholding a positive and inclusive workplace culture is paramount to organisational success. HR takes proactive measures to identify and address any behaviors or attitudes that undermine cohesion, trust, or morale within the workforce. By promoting open communication, addressing conflicts constructively, and swiftly addressing instances of misconduct or cultural misalignment, HR safeguards the organization's cultural integrity and nurtures a conducive environment where every individual can thrive.

One final point, HR is perfectly placed to work across the functions strategically with the best interests of the company in mind. Ultimately HR helps a company to increase its focus, motivation and productivity while making it a more interactive, dynamic and satisfying place to work.