Professional Documents
Culture Documents
New HR Strategy Makes Lloyd's A "Best Company"
New HR Strategy Makes Lloyd's A "Best Company"
of the corporation over the last 12 months and thank all Lloyds employees for their
continuing dedication, commitment, and professionalism.
Ironically, this leadership position is the first HR position Black has ever held as she
rose through the ranks in other arenas in business. But her experience has given
her a clear definition of the ideal characteristics of HR professionals of the future.
Black says they must be commercial, challenging, and focused on delivery and
excellence. They must understand change and transformation, excel at operations,
and balance tactical and strategic thinking and acting. She adds, They will have to
be able to manage and navigate organizational complexity and ambiguities and not
be afraid to say no occasionally in order to establish appropriate boundaries with
the business.
What skills does Black think employees need to work successfully in the area of HR?
(4 marks)
Answer - According to the case provided , the ideal characterstics of employees working in
the department of Human Resource, they should be challenging when it comes down to work
practices. They should focus on delivering excellence in conducting operations. They must
understand the dynamic nature of the company, how it keeps undergoing transformation over
a period of time. They should be able to drive around the complexities of the organization
and come up with effective solutions and HR policies. They should not hesitate in saying
'No', if anything is felt to be against the company's policies or business ethics.
The skills needed by employees to work successfully in the area of Human Resource are;
Business Mastery - The hired HR professional should have optimum knowledge and
understanding about the business of the organization that they represent. It requires the
employees to have an insight about the fianacial and economic capabilities of the company,
so that the contribution in making decisions and formulating strategic policies for the
organization is desirable.
HR Mastery - The HR employees should shift thier attention towards the employed staff,
the process of recruitment, reward-based compensation plans and resolving organizational
conflicts. HR professionals are organizational behaviour experts, they must work towards
having a healthy-work environment and proper staffing procedures.
Change Mastery - The HR professionals must understand the dynamic nature of the
company, which is on-going and continously changing. They should be able to interlink the
organizational needs with the HR activities. At Llyod's, Suzy Black wants the HR
professionals to prioritize the needs of the organization, that benefits the employees as well as
the company as a whole.
Personal Credibility - The HR professional should demonstrate the values and beliefs of the
company, to the staff employed and working. Thier personal stand in the company should be
fair, when it comes down to decision making and resolving conflicts. They must network
with all the supporting divisions and departments of the company, regularly and promptly.
They must establish credibility in the eyes of the internal and external customers.
(Hint: Organize the skills according to the Competencies of the HR Manager found on
page 27 Business Mastery, HR Mastery, Change Mastery, Personal Credibility)
What are some of the outcomes of the companys new HR strategy? (2 marks)
What do you think might be some of the challenges of establishing HR policies for a
global company? (4 marks)
Cultural Consideration - A company with a global base would hire people from all around the
world, so it must lay down its policies which must cater to the corporate culture of the
country.
Employment Laws - The employment laws of the company should be made in context to the
employment laws of the country, because in my opinion that will neutralize the potential
conflicts and disputes.
Reward system and compensation plans - Every country has a different currency, henceforth,
the incentives and compensation plan should be designed in accordance with the standard of
living of the country. The wage they earn, must fetch them reward for the work they perform
according to thier abilites, qualities and capabilities.
What types of situations do you think might require an HR manager to say no? (2
marks)
Answer - In my opinion, a company should have its policies pre-structured, which are to be
followed and adhered to, strictly by all the employees of the organization. Anything against the
pre-set policies should be denied on the spot, inconsiderate to the stature of the employee.