Chances are your [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] has a well-defined business strategy. It is quite likely that it has been shared among your employees and probably even published in your annual report. But what about your [geot region=”North America”]organization’s’[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation’s[/geot] People Strategy?
You won’t find that in any annual reports and probably not in any internal documents either. If you ask the leadership team in most companies you will get either a blank look or directions down the hall to ask HR. Yet these same executives will all agree that “people are our most important asset.”
This isn’t really that surprising. Thirty years ago, Michael Porter was working on a book to follow his “Competitive Strategy” and CEOs everywhere were agreeing that they must define their business strategy. But you wouldn’t have found any published strategy statements and most [geot region=”North America”]organizations[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisations[/geot] would have struggled to articulate their strategy, even within the boardroom.
Talent Management is the process of delivering answers to these questions, and so is focused on the ‘how.’ Talent Management responds to the business strategy and is based on objectives and targets that are commonly the responsibility of HR. People Strategy informs the business strategy and starts with a vision of where the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] is going. For this reason it has to be owned by the line and supported by HR.
A defined People Strategy is the logical extension of the business strategy. It lays out how the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] intends to utilize its most important asset to deliver on its objectives. It is not subservient to the business strategy. When used properly, the People Strategy informs the business strategy, helping executives to decide what the best approach will be for the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot]. Both flow from the corporate objectives and work together to enable the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] to deliver.
Just as with corporate strategies, the People Strategy changes as the business develops and the key challenges evolve. Local businesses are unlikely to define their [geot region=”North America”]organizational[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisational[/geot] culture. It is often an extension of the founder principle leader’s own approach and values. But as a business expands its territory, so the span of control stretches and it becomes necessary to articulate the culture through standards and value statements. Overseas growth introduces new employees with potentially very different backgrounds and approaches. The People Strategy may need to find ways to impose the corporate culture to ensure that control is maintained by the original [geot region=”North America”]organization. When an organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation. When an organisation[/geot] becomes truly global it begins to embrace the different cultures and the People Strategy again shifts to one of inclusion.
The people resource begins with an understanding of the capabilities of the [geot region=”North America”]organization. Are we an innovative organization or are we better at systematizing[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation. Are we an innovative organisation or are we better at systematising[/geot] processes? Are our people good at fundamental research or are we better at exploiting developed ideas? The answers to such questions supports strategic decision-making. If we are not capable in a particular area, is it better to accept that and focus on our strengths, or take the time and energy to build that capability? And so the business strategy in turn influences the People Strategy.
Creating a cohesive and robust People Strategy is a complex process; there is no single right way to do it as each and every [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] has a unique strategy, capability set, structure and culture – all of which play a role in shaping the most appropriate strategy for the company. What is clear is that HR cannot have these discussions in seclusion. The Leadership Team must be fully engaged in the process and must own the outcome.
The following considerations are taken into account when devising a People Strategy:
A statement of the leader’s view of the purpose and direction of the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot]. It describes the business that the company leaders want to be in for the next 5-20 years, the purpose for which the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] exists and the main assets by which it will be fulfilled.
These are set out as the outcomes that the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] is trying to achieve in the next year. These are stated in a way that allows them to be measured and therefore as to how well they have been achieved.
What strategic direction is the company following which will ensure the objectives are achieved?
What capabilities exist in the company to execute the strategy both now and in the future?
The culture of the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] is the shared set of attitudes, values and beliefs which determine the way decisions are made and implemented.
What is the most appropriate [geot region=”North America”]organizational[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisational[/geot] structure which will allow the company to make the most of the people and thereby to function most effectively?
What are the measures of the people in the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] at the individual and team level which define the talent resource.
This defines how the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] can best recruit, monitor, support, develop and promote their people to deliver the corporate strategy.
Each area has to be reviewed at the [geot region=”North America”]organizational[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisational[/geot], team and individual level to create a cohesive approach that is specific enough to provide guidance, yet flexible enough to cope with change.
Just as with a corporate strategy, the People Strategy will need to be reviewed over time to ensure that it is still relevant to the [geot region=”North America”]organization[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation[/geot] and its environment. If this process becomes an intrinsic part of the [geot region=”North America”]organization’s[/geot][geot region=”Europe”]organisation’s[/geot] strategy development, then the People Strategy will begin to inform the overall strategy, rather than having to react to it.
If you would like to discuss how we can facilitate the development of your People Strategy, or wish to find out more about our services, contact us today!