Just thought I'd bring you up to date with where the hinterland has taken me so far - and where I hope it will be going in 2010...
My core desire to help clients attract, retain and engage talent remains undimmed.
Despite the obvious dislocations in the labour market, my long-standing truism I think still holds true: Hiring people is easy, it's hiring the good ones that's the tough bit.
Hiring strategy is of course only half the story - it's what you do with them when you get them on board that matters. Though "employee engagement" is a regular staple in the HR press these days, few organisations have really grasped the potential of integrating attraction, internal comms and genuine engagement activity. The dividends are there for all to see - from Watson Wyatt to the major Gallup survey. And the work I've done so far in this regard has been enlightening to say the least.
Client wise, my primary focus has been with a fantastic FTSE business... helping them model and implement a Hiring Strategy fit for the Web2.0 age. The aims are largely twofold: to reduce the cost of hiring by enabling them to insource recruitment with a little help from me - and to develop a genuine platform to progress with their explicit desire to become an employer of choice in their field. The work goes on - implementation is never straightforward and the bigger challenge then begins.. But all signs are positive so far - and making it happen in 2010 will be a huge accomplishment for all of us.
Consulting back into my old world of recruitment communications has also been great fun. Despite difficult times, my most loyal client in the sector have kept on winning new business, hopefully due in some small part to the investment they make in bringing in their favourite 'pitch doctor'. (Working on and then hearing they had won a major 7 figure account was a definite highlight of 2009)Working on briefs, helping shape the thinking - and rehearsing the team down to the ad libs - it is living proof that practice really does make perfect when it comes to pitching to clients.
The "perfect pitch" training one day course has also been v well received - and again is a blast to deliver. I'm hoping to stretch this offer outside rec comms this year - the principles are all the same, any prof services business presenting to win work should consider a small investment in this regard in my humble and unbiased opinion...
The watch word with all this work is RESULTS. As long as they keep coming back for more, I must be doing something right I guess...
Placing HR talent is something I'm planning to do more in 2010. I'm meeting so many talented people along the way - and then running into senior HR managers needing a particular fit, it would be silly not to. If it's up and coming 20/30 something talent you're after, do let me know.
Can't sign off without mentioning my first foray into University lecturing. Whilst not strictly under the Hinterland banner, I have thoroughly enjoyed 'guesting' at Leeds Met Uni - and we've just agreed that I'm to carry on delivering the Employee Resourcing module on the p/time CIPD course this next semester. I had no idea whether I'd love it or hate it - and it's been a lot of hard work getting up to speed, especially theory wise. Truth is I've enjoyed it enormously, largely thanks to the energy and spark of the students, who were a pleasure to teach. It has developed my levels of understanding, has refreshed me in areas that needed it - and helped me see that the theory does actually matter alongside all the practical insights I have to hand. It's also a great means for keeping you on your mettle - the students aren't slow to let you have their feedback!(which thankfully has been largely v positive).
Enough said - here's to a steady and stable 2010 - expecting any more would be folly I think you'd agree. Or as Frasier might say: "Good HR Health... "
Here to help your business perform better when you need me...
Best
Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment