For continued success, understanding human resource issues is crucial. Business owners have the option to outsource human resource functions or handle these issues themselves.
Three human resource tasks that business owners need to be aware of include:
1. Positioning employees for success
Do your employees have the necessary skills to be successful at their job? Continually assess your business to determine what skills your employees need. This will help understand what level your employees’ skills are at now and where it needs to be in the future.
2. Identifying training issues
Identifying the gaps in employees’ current abilities is vital to keep your business competitive. For many businesses, common areas for improvement involve helping supervisors better manage performance. When someone is promoted into a managerial position because they are good at their jobs does not mean they have the skills to manage. These individuals must be trained for the managerial position to help their subordinates achieve optimal performance.
An employee development plan will guide your company to its long-term strategic goals. Technological and environmental factors will influence your company’s ability to remain competitive. As technological advancements continue, software training will increase competitiveness. Leadership training is an essential component of succession planning.
Keeping highly training and motivated employees contributes to your business’ success and gives you a competitive advantage.
3. Communicating policies with employees
Policies and practices can improve the way your employees interact, while minimizing the personal obstacles that can cause problems. People like to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in a company, as well as the roles of others. Well-defined rolls and clear reporting structures that spell out who’s in charge and how tasks are to be accomplished
Business owners must clarify what is and what is not acceptable behaviour within the company. Employees want to be treated fairly and feel safe when they are at work. An employee handbook needs to identify acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and the consequences for violations to help employers with liability issues and compliance.
A well-developed employee handbook ensures all employees are aware of appropriate workplace conduct.
Business owners need to devote time to human resources issues. Investing in human capital, smart recruitment, policy implementation, performance management and training will contribute to a company’s success.
To learn more about these human resource tasks, check out this article from the National Federation of Independent Business.
Source: National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB.com
Inderpal Gill, Firstbase Business Services
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