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    Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Diversity in the Workplace: Ethnic Considerations
    This article relates to the Diversity in the Workplace Competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. This competency explores whether your organization provides understanding and supports interaction among diverse population groups while respecting individuals' personal values and ideas. Research shows that by fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic, an organization can create a success-oriented, cooperative and caring work environment that draws intellectual strength and produces innovative solutions from the synergy of its people. All businesses can benefit from a diverse body of talent bringing fresh ideas, perspectives, and views to the workplace. However, a diverse workforce means that the managers within your organization must be capable of capitalizing on the mixture of genders, cultural backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles present in your staff to respond to business opportunities more rapidly and creatively.This short story, Diversity in the Workplace: Ethnic Considerations, is part of AlphaMeasure's Compilation, Tales from the Corporate Frontlines. This article illustrates how decisions made by large companies can have unintended morale consequences at the local level.Anonymous SubmissionDiversity in the Workplace: Ethnic ConsiderationsI once worked at a small local company where the employees were not accustomed to dealing with change. It was a family owned business and most of the employees had been there for 20 years or more. They all lived in the same locale, an area of predominantly Western European ancestry steeped in religious heritage and tradition.When the owner family sold the company to a huge multinational corporation, the changes were big and they happened quickly. Most of them were met with cheerful resignation. But I do remember one that sparked an amazing amount of controversy---changes in the holiday schedule. It was decreed that
    y only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I re

    Follow-Up: Diligence and Persistence Pay off
    Follow up is a critical activity for maximizing your lead potential. Whenever you meet anyone you should immediately send a follow up letter, postcard, phone call – anything to keep your name in their mind.You go to meetings and business networking events to make contacts. The contacts you make might not be interested right away but if you do a good job of follow-up, when they are ready they know who to call. Good follow up activities include:Postcards Emails Phone Calls Letters Flyers Seminar invitesYou don't want your follow up to be overwhelming. Typically sending your contacts something every few months is sufficient. You should aim to provide some sort of follow up four to five times per year.Follow up will lead to business. That is why you must follow up with everyone. Do not discount any lead. Perhaps you lose out to a competitor the first time. The person who hired your competitor may leave, the competitor him or her self may move on; you never know what will happen. By continuing your follow up, you are in a position to step in should the opportunity arise.The Bottom Line on Follow UpFollow up is extremely important. You need to keep your business name in the forefront of people's mind. This way, if/when they need your services they will be more inclined to call you than a random number from the phone book. The cost to follow up with your leads is minimal and the rewards can be huge.Copyright MMI-MMVI, Computer Consultants Secrets. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}
    Background

    Recently in one of the HR-group…someone shared one statement, which was “All employees in all organizations hate HR. This is the statement of a high profile professional (other than HR) employee. So what is your experience?”

    No more information was provided by this person and if not less, we all exchanged close to 100 e-mails, discussing about the topic and throughout the discussion the originator of the debate, kept mum. Some people said few things in favour of HR and few people said against HR. At the end, we ended up by making few statements…having just difference of opinion. Few people went on to share one of the article, titled “Why we hate HR” written by Keith H Hammonds of FastCompany and posted on December 09, 2005.

    I interrogated the person who originated this debate in its current form and he shared two things, “This statement made in private and I didn’t react on it. For few days this statement haunted me and to know the experience from all HR professionals about this I circulated the mail” and “Even many HR professionals say HR is thankless job. Therefore I plainly put up the mail to get the experiences of all you”. After reading this, I didn’t know if I should laugh on the immaturity of this person and should get angry on his attitude.

    I have few questions for my fellow HR professionals and Business Managers, they are:

    1) Everyday as a person or professional you meet so many people; do all of them love you?

    2) Talking about profession, which is the profession, which is liked by all and sundry? Do you like lawyers…police personal…politicians? Why only to point at HR-Professional?

    3) How many of you Love George W. Bush and how many have you hate Osama Bin Ladin? How many of you love Tony Blair and hate Saddam Hussain?

    Challenges for HR Professionals

    Human Resource Professionals deals with the most difficult part of any organization – “Human Beings”. They are not machines. They have emotions, sentiments, different behaviour, different beliefs and culture. A part from that, we have Government, labour laws, and law enforcement body. Over and above that we have investors, management and board of directors. I don’t know, how you are expected to keep all these people happy?

    Competencies in HR Professionals

    Certainly, even HR professionals need to change the way they work. “Proper Communication”, I repeat, “Proper Communication” can solve most of your problems and issues. To have proper communication, one should have proper information about the labour laws, about business, about policies and procedures of the company and about the industry. Most of the time…most of the HR professionals…don’t have this. Proper Communication also includes “Proper Listening” and that is also lacking in some of the HR-Professionals. “Understanding Human Behaviour” is another trait, which can help in addressing many problems.

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    They don’t get solution for their problems.

    They don’t get proper information.

    There is communication gap.

    You fail to keep your words…your commitment.

    (Is there anything else that they expect from you?)

    Solution

    Of Course, “Proper Communication” can solve many issues. If there is any query, give “legally supported” and “logically correct” solution. I also feel that as we are growing...as there are more and more mediums of communications...we are not communicating properly and I tell you...proper communication can solve many problems both at personal and professional front. Those people, your employees are not duffers or dumb…don’t try to be over-smart. Don’t lie to them. The day they come to know that the information provided by you is false or fake…they will start hating you.

    Customer Centric Approach

    This is the best way to know…where you are wrong? Why they hate you? And what are the areas of improvement? Treat them as your Customers and let the part of HR department behave as “Customer Service Centre”. Treat them the way you like to be treated when you are “Customer” and at the service centre of another service providers. As they say, “Don’t do what you don’t want other to do to you”…”Don’t serve the food that you don’t like to eat”.

    Conclusion and Love-Hate Equation

    I feel that it is one love-hate equation, where some people love you and some hates you. In a crowd of more than two people you cannot expect everyone to love you…everyone to agree with you. That has never happened and will never happen. There will always be few people who will love you and few to hate you. Only thing that you can do is that by your work…by your behaviour…by your attitude…you can have more people to love you…to love your profession and hate you and your profession. To tilt this equation, entirely depends on an individual, his style of working and his approach. Love-hate equation can be different in different company. No degree and no education can give you an assurance that all people will “Just” love you. You are MBA from Harvard, Oxford, London School of Business or IIM; you are certified by SHRM or CIPD; no institute can give you an assurance that your employee will always agree with you and will always love your work.

    As I said in one of my previous write-up…few people…just few people by their behaviour, work and attitude brings bad name for the organization, for the profession, for the community and for the country.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Analysis of the Article by Rey Misoles is CEO and Managing Director of MaP Consulting Group, a consulting and training outfit for developing managerial competence. He is author of "Self Improvement & Success: Your 7-Day Self-Improvement and Success Program" – a `How to do it'

    Several weeks ago I registered to be a member of HR-Philippines, a Yahoogroups network for HR professionals. I enjoyed the articles posted by the members, and learned from some of them. In fact, I also contributed an article or two from time to time.

    Just recently some articles published caught my attention - and one from an HR practitioner, Sanjeev Sharma from India really heightened my interest. He talked about, and the title of his article is, Making HR...The Most Lovable Profession. This all started after he read a comment from one HR-group which goes, "All employees in all organizations hate HR." Sanjeev, apparently irked, said, "This is the statement of a high profile professional (other than HR) employee... I didn't know if I should laugh on the immaturity of this person and should get angry on his attitude."

    I was touched in total agreement to Sanjeev's reply, which prompted me to share my thoughts with you today, anchored on salient points of Sanjeev's article.

    Challenges for HR Professionals: Human Resource Professionals deal with the most difficult part of any organization - "Human Beings."

    Accounting managers deal with numbers, no doubt about it. Sales managers deal with quotas, producing sales and nothing but sales. Manufacturing managers deal with production, tight schedules and meeting deadlines. No wonder they're in constant bickering with sales - the former promising clients that they will deliver, and the later complaining that they can't deliver what's being promised. Where does HR stand? In the middle of course, caught in the crossfire, most often eating up all the fire and silently enduring the cross.

    Why? Because we are HR; "human resource." We may fail to comprehend numbers, particularly sales quotas and production schedules, but we do perfectly understand human beings. Appropriately so, because we are HR. Not only do we carry out the mission of managing human resources, but we are THE mission.

    But why do some employees hate HR? (I'm equally irked upon reading the statement "All employees . . . hate HR" - perhaps some but definitely not all.) What are we supposed to do about it?

    I'm in total agreement to Sanjeev's statement here: "Employees hate HR, when they don't get solution for their problems; they don't get proper information; there is communication gap; (HR) fails to keep (its) words . . . (its) commitment."

    Many times HR professionals get buried in the myriad of things - paperwork and reports, administrative duties, and even disciplining employees which is supposed to be a line function. Oh by the way, for non-HR people reading this - if you still believe that employee discipline is an HR job, I suggest you attend a seminar on effective supervision to learn the what, why and how on employee motivation and discipline.

    There are lots of good training providers out there who are updated and equipped with the latest trends in people-handling, one of which is MaP Consulting Group. (Yes, it's my company, and I'm talking about the Basics of Effective Supervision Training.)

    These things comprise HR's "trivial many" and is more than enough to consume his time, taking away a more important aspect - the "critical few" should have's, which focus on relationship- building. Without knowing it, HR becomes oblivious to the real needs of the people, and failed to listen.

    Solution

    In the words of Sanjeev: "Of Course, 'Proper Communication' can solve many issues."

    When I see the word 'communication' used in a management article, I can't help but recall some offices with no doors, advocating "open-door policy" which literally means open communication. Some companies are doing this perfectly well with a management team who "walk their talk." Others however, are only as good as the open cubicles without knowing the real essence of the word, much less practice it.

    Easier said than done. But have you got a choice? Of course you do. And it is learning how to be an effective communicator using the verbal and non-verbal facility. Communication is a skill which needs to be studied and learned, spent time on, and practiced. My next question is; have you got the time? Or rather, are you willing to make this one of your priorities? I believe you should!

    After living the HR profession for more than two decades, I once thought I learned everything there is to learn. Then I came across a forum, an HR group composed of practitioners dedicated to help one another, and realized that my learning shouldn't stop. I was scared to think it almost did, and am happy to have recovered. Perhaps you'd be interested to join and keep yourself up. Who knows someday, you'll get to understand better the "Love-Hate Equation for HR Profession."

    _________________________________________________________________________________

    And they shared their views on this Subject

    1) Rajat Joshi from Mumbai (India)

    I credit you and would like to thank you personally for extending support and guiding HR professionals with your thought provoking articles.

    As Dr T V Rao mentioned in his book Future of HRD - that for HRD professionals in India - a challenge is to grow professionally and there should be more focus on self directed learning - this is where you have been helping us immensely.

    2) Prof. Nivedita from Chandigarh (India)

    I appreciate your views.

    Very true, that we cannot make all the people happy, if you have a workforce of 100 people you can satisfy only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I rec

    Change Management Disruptions of Your Competitors
    We have all heard a lot about change management and it seems to be a buzzword that is being kicked around in management schools at top universities. Change management interruptions can cause chaos in a Corporation and it is this reason that Change Management is discussed in case studies at MBA schools.One thing that is not talked about very much is how change management disruptions affect your competitors and how you can take advantage of them. In my younger days I use to race motorcycles; street bikes, the ones that go really really fast and you put your knee on the ground sometimes at 135 plus miles per hour trying to stay balanced. Well, one thing I learned is it pays to be lucky, practice your skills and fundamentals and watch for your competitors make mistakes.One thing they teach you in racing schools with super bikes is to use the whole track. In business you must use all possible strategies to win the game. If your competitor makes a mistake you need to capitalize on that mistake, just like you do in racing or competitive sports.In the marketplace changes in management of your competition can cause times of indecision, mistakes and these disruptions indeed will slow the company down. It behooves you to pay attention to what the competition is doing and when they make a mistake accelerate past them in the marketplace. Oh, and don't look back. Consider all this in 2006.
    Behaviour” is another trait, which can help in addressing many problems.

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    They don’t get solution for their problems.

    They don’t get proper information.

    There is communication gap.

    You fail to keep your words…your commitment.

    (Is there anything else that they expect from you?)

    Solution

    Of Course, “Proper Communication” can solve many issues. If there is any query, give “legally supported” and “logically correct” solution. I also feel that as we are growing...as there are more and more mediums of communications...we are not communicating properly and I tell you...proper communication can solve many problems both at personal and professional front. Those people, your employees are not duffers or dumb…don’t try to be over-smart. Don’t lie to them. The day they come to know that the information provided by you is false or fake…they will start hating you.

    Customer Centric Approach

    This is the best way to know…where you are wrong? Why they hate you? And what are the areas of improvement? Treat them as your Customers and let the part of HR department behave as “Customer Service Centre”. Treat them the way you like to be treated when you are “Customer” and at the service centre of another service providers. As they say, “Don’t do what you don’t want other to do to you”…”Don’t serve the food that you don’t like to eat”.

    Conclusion and Love-Hate Equation

    I feel that it is one love-hate equation, where some people love you and some hates you. In a crowd of more than two people you cannot expect everyone to love you…everyone to agree with you. That has never happened and will never happen. There will always be few people who will love you and few to hate you. Only thing that you can do is that by your work…by your behaviour…by your attitude…you can have more people to love you…to love your profession and hate you and your profession. To tilt this equation, entirely depends on an individual, his style of working and his approach. Love-hate equation can be different in different company. No degree and no education can give you an assurance that all people will “Just” love you. You are MBA from Harvard, Oxford, London School of Business or IIM; you are certified by SHRM or CIPD; no institute can give you an assurance that your employee will always agree with you and will always love your work.

    As I said in one of my previous write-up…few people…just few people by their behaviour, work and attitude brings bad name for the organization, for the profession, for the community and for the country.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Analysis of the Article by Rey Misoles is CEO and Managing Director of MaP Consulting Group, a consulting and training outfit for developing managerial competence. He is author of "Self Improvement & Success: Your 7-Day Self-Improvement and Success Program" – a `How to do it'

    Several weeks ago I registered to be a member of HR-Philippines, a Yahoogroups network for HR professionals. I enjoyed the articles posted by the members, and learned from some of them. In fact, I also contributed an article or two from time to time.

    Just recently some articles published caught my attention - and one from an HR practitioner, Sanjeev Sharma from India really heightened my interest. He talked about, and the title of his article is, Making HR...The Most Lovable Profession. This all started after he read a comment from one HR-group which goes, "All employees in all organizations hate HR." Sanjeev, apparently irked, said, "This is the statement of a high profile professional (other than HR) employee... I didn't know if I should laugh on the immaturity of this person and should get angry on his attitude."

    I was touched in total agreement to Sanjeev's reply, which prompted me to share my thoughts with you today, anchored on salient points of Sanjeev's article.

    Challenges for HR Professionals: Human Resource Professionals deal with the most difficult part of any organization - "Human Beings."

    Accounting managers deal with numbers, no doubt about it. Sales managers deal with quotas, producing sales and nothing but sales. Manufacturing managers deal with production, tight schedules and meeting deadlines. No wonder they're in constant bickering with sales - the former promising clients that they will deliver, and the later complaining that they can't deliver what's being promised. Where does HR stand? In the middle of course, caught in the crossfire, most often eating up all the fire and silently enduring the cross.

    Why? Because we are HR; "human resource." We may fail to comprehend numbers, particularly sales quotas and production schedules, but we do perfectly understand human beings. Appropriately so, because we are HR. Not only do we carry out the mission of managing human resources, but we are THE mission.

    But why do some employees hate HR? (I'm equally irked upon reading the statement "All employees . . . hate HR" - perhaps some but definitely not all.) What are we supposed to do about it?

    I'm in total agreement to Sanjeev's statement here: "Employees hate HR, when they don't get solution for their problems; they don't get proper information; there is communication gap; (HR) fails to keep (its) words . . . (its) commitment."

    Many times HR professionals get buried in the myriad of things - paperwork and reports, administrative duties, and even disciplining employees which is supposed to be a line function. Oh by the way, for non-HR people reading this - if you still believe that employee discipline is an HR job, I suggest you attend a seminar on effective supervision to learn the what, why and how on employee motivation and discipline.

    There are lots of good training providers out there who are updated and equipped with the latest trends in people-handling, one of which is MaP Consulting Group. (Yes, it's my company, and I'm talking about the Basics of Effective Supervision Training.)

    These things comprise HR's "trivial many" and is more than enough to consume his time, taking away a more important aspect - the "critical few" should have's, which focus on relationship- building. Without knowing it, HR becomes oblivious to the real needs of the people, and failed to listen.

    Solution

    In the words of Sanjeev: "Of Course, 'Proper Communication' can solve many issues."

    When I see the word 'communication' used in a management article, I can't help but recall some offices with no doors, advocating "open-door policy" which literally means open communication. Some companies are doing this perfectly well with a management team who "walk their talk." Others however, are only as good as the open cubicles without knowing the real essence of the word, much less practice it.

    Easier said than done. But have you got a choice? Of course you do. And it is learning how to be an effective communicator using the verbal and non-verbal facility. Communication is a skill which needs to be studied and learned, spent time on, and practiced. My next question is; have you got the time? Or rather, are you willing to make this one of your priorities? I believe you should!

    After living the HR profession for more than two decades, I once thought I learned everything there is to learn. Then I came across a forum, an HR group composed of practitioners dedicated to help one another, and realized that my learning shouldn't stop. I was scared to think it almost did, and am happy to have recovered. Perhaps you'd be interested to join and keep yourself up. Who knows someday, you'll get to understand better the "Love-Hate Equation for HR Profession."

    _________________________________________________________________________________

    And they shared their views on this Subject

    1) Rajat Joshi from Mumbai (India)

    I credit you and would like to thank you personally for extending support and guiding HR professionals with your thought provoking articles.

    As Dr T V Rao mentioned in his book Future of HRD - that for HRD professionals in India - a challenge is to grow professionally and there should be more focus on self directed learning - this is where you have been helping us immensely.

    2) Prof. Nivedita from Chandigarh (India)

    I appreciate your views.

    Very true, that we cannot make all the people happy, if you have a workforce of 100 people you can satisfy only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I re

    Vision Statements that Confuse and Bemuse
    Since the 1970's vision statements have adorned the walls of most organisations, being used to communicate the direction in which an organisation is heading. Most are poor vehicles for that communication and serve mainly to confuse or bemuse the employees they are supposed to guide.The majority of vision statements are poor. At best these poor vision statements are not challenging enough to develop the creative tension between the present and the future to energise the organisation. Many however are not even understood by the people in the organisation whose task it is to strive to reach the vision.Vision statements which do not provide a succinct unequivocal view of the direction an organisation is heading in are counterproductive to the aims of most organisations. They are only paid lip service by employees and do not positively influence the behaviour of employees other than providing opportunities to behave in a cynical manner.Vision statements tend to fall into three categories. First is the short and useful which is a rare occurrence. Second is the long tedious and confusing statement, developed by a group of senior managers sitting in a closed room for two days with an erstwhile consulting cramming every stakeholder and every objective in one extraordinarily long sentence. Third is the statement which short relative to the second and seems to have been created by a word generator.Many vision statements fall into the third category. They follow a pattern such as: "To be the (leading/best) (provider/supplier) of (customer focused/market driven (solutions/products/service)". As a vision it serves little purpose. It could have been thought of by a group of high school students as a homework exercise in strategy for their economics subject. It is not what we would expect from experienced senior leaders of an organisation. The statements of the third type are generally indisting
    ing outfit for developing managerial competence. He is author of "Self Improvement & Success: Your 7-Day Self-Improvement and Success Program" – a `How to do it'

    Several weeks ago I registered to be a member of HR-Philippines, a Yahoogroups network for HR professionals. I enjoyed the articles posted by the members, and learned from some of them. In fact, I also contributed an article or two from time to time.

    Just recently some articles published caught my attention - and one from an HR practitioner, Sanjeev Sharma from India really heightened my interest. He talked about, and the title of his article is, Making HR...The Most Lovable Profession. This all started after he read a comment from one HR-group which goes, "All employees in all organizations hate HR." Sanjeev, apparently irked, said, "This is the statement of a high profile professional (other than HR) employee... I didn't know if I should laugh on the immaturity of this person and should get angry on his attitude."

    I was touched in total agreement to Sanjeev's reply, which prompted me to share my thoughts with you today, anchored on salient points of Sanjeev's article.

    Challenges for HR Professionals: Human Resource Professionals deal with the most difficult part of any organization - "Human Beings."

    Accounting managers deal with numbers, no doubt about it. Sales managers deal with quotas, producing sales and nothing but sales. Manufacturing managers deal with production, tight schedules and meeting deadlines. No wonder they're in constant bickering with sales - the former promising clients that they will deliver, and the later complaining that they can't deliver what's being promised. Where does HR stand? In the middle of course, caught in the crossfire, most often eating up all the fire and silently enduring the cross.

    Why? Because we are HR; "human resource." We may fail to comprehend numbers, particularly sales quotas and production schedules, but we do perfectly understand human beings. Appropriately so, because we are HR. Not only do we carry out the mission of managing human resources, but we are THE mission.

    But why do some employees hate HR? (I'm equally irked upon reading the statement "All employees . . . hate HR" - perhaps some but definitely not all.) What are we supposed to do about it?

    I'm in total agreement to Sanjeev's statement here: "Employees hate HR, when they don't get solution for their problems; they don't get proper information; there is communication gap; (HR) fails to keep (its) words . . . (its) commitment."

    Many times HR professionals get buried in the myriad of things - paperwork and reports, administrative duties, and even disciplining employees which is supposed to be a line function. Oh by the way, for non-HR people reading this - if you still believe that employee discipline is an HR job, I suggest you attend a seminar on effective supervision to learn the what, why and how on employee motivation and discipline.

    There are lots of good training providers out there who are updated and equipped with the latest trends in people-handling, one of which is MaP Consulting Group. (Yes, it's my company, and I'm talking about the Basics of Effective Supervision Training.)

    These things comprise HR's "trivial many" and is more than enough to consume his time, taking away a more important aspect - the "critical few" should have's, which focus on relationship- building. Without knowing it, HR becomes oblivious to the real needs of the people, and failed to listen.

    Solution

    In the words of Sanjeev: "Of Course, 'Proper Communication' can solve many issues."

    When I see the word 'communication' used in a management article, I can't help but recall some offices with no doors, advocating "open-door policy" which literally means open communication. Some companies are doing this perfectly well with a management team who "walk their talk." Others however, are only as good as the open cubicles without knowing the real essence of the word, much less practice it.

    Easier said than done. But have you got a choice? Of course you do. And it is learning how to be an effective communicator using the verbal and non-verbal facility. Communication is a skill which needs to be studied and learned, spent time on, and practiced. My next question is; have you got the time? Or rather, are you willing to make this one of your priorities? I believe you should!

    After living the HR profession for more than two decades, I once thought I learned everything there is to learn. Then I came across a forum, an HR group composed of practitioners dedicated to help one another, and realized that my learning shouldn't stop. I was scared to think it almost did, and am happy to have recovered. Perhaps you'd be interested to join and keep yourself up. Who knows someday, you'll get to understand better the "Love-Hate Equation for HR Profession."

    _________________________________________________________________________________

    And they shared their views on this Subject

    1) Rajat Joshi from Mumbai (India)

    I credit you and would like to thank you personally for extending support and guiding HR professionals with your thought provoking articles.

    As Dr T V Rao mentioned in his book Future of HRD - that for HRD professionals in India - a challenge is to grow professionally and there should be more focus on self directed learning - this is where you have been helping us immensely.

    2) Prof. Nivedita from Chandigarh (India)

    I appreciate your views.

    Very true, that we cannot make all the people happy, if you have a workforce of 100 people you can satisfy only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I re

    Influence of Globalization on Japanese Industry
    Globalization influences every state and Japan is not the exception. Despite the fact that Japan is one of the richest countries in the world and is economically successful, still it has unsolved issues concerning working conditions. It is important to note that there are differences in payments, conditions of work at small and large companies in Japan. This model does not coincide with the model in Western developed countries. In Japan companies are oriented at the export market. The Japanese salary amount depends on the company size and region. Part-time workers, usually women, receive a minimum salary.Earlier, the Japanese economy was aimed at the level of the USA and Europe. In the 1960s there was a period of high increase in economy. The industrial growth assumed nearly 0% unemployment. However, with years the unemployment percent increased. It is obvious that the Japanese economy undergoes structural development which causes a high unemployment pattern. These modifications evoke new working patters and industrial models. At present Japan has a difficult period in economy as there are problems with unemployment and working patterns in Japan. These changes are mainly the result of globalization, global changes that has covered all countries and continents.Japan companies and even small firms have many methods for being competitive in the conditions of globalization. At the meeting in Tokyo researchers discussed the problem of globalization and they drew a conclusion that there are multiple ways to manage with the issues of globalization. Some companies are relying on outsourcing that is not good. Globalization makes people closer uniting markets, thus, it changes usual production systems and wipes the borders between societies. Earlier, a company organized everything within it, but nowadays every function can be performed by a different person, state or company. For instance, the iPod video player produced by Apple Inc.
    ipline is an HR job, I suggest you attend a seminar on effective supervision to learn the what, why and how on employee motivation and discipline.

    There are lots of good training providers out there who are updated and equipped with the latest trends in people-handling, one of which is MaP Consulting Group. (Yes, it's my company, and I'm talking about the Basics of Effective Supervision Training.)

    These things comprise HR's "trivial many" and is more than enough to consume his time, taking away a more important aspect - the "critical few" should have's, which focus on relationship- building. Without knowing it, HR becomes oblivious to the real needs of the people, and failed to listen.

    Solution

    In the words of Sanjeev: "Of Course, 'Proper Communication' can solve many issues."

    When I see the word 'communication' used in a management article, I can't help but recall some offices with no doors, advocating "open-door policy" which literally means open communication. Some companies are doing this perfectly well with a management team who "walk their talk." Others however, are only as good as the open cubicles without knowing the real essence of the word, much less practice it.

    Easier said than done. But have you got a choice? Of course you do. And it is learning how to be an effective communicator using the verbal and non-verbal facility. Communication is a skill which needs to be studied and learned, spent time on, and practiced. My next question is; have you got the time? Or rather, are you willing to make this one of your priorities? I believe you should!

    After living the HR profession for more than two decades, I once thought I learned everything there is to learn. Then I came across a forum, an HR group composed of practitioners dedicated to help one another, and realized that my learning shouldn't stop. I was scared to think it almost did, and am happy to have recovered. Perhaps you'd be interested to join and keep yourself up. Who knows someday, you'll get to understand better the "Love-Hate Equation for HR Profession."

    _________________________________________________________________________________

    And they shared their views on this Subject

    1) Rajat Joshi from Mumbai (India)

    I credit you and would like to thank you personally for extending support and guiding HR professionals with your thought provoking articles.

    As Dr T V Rao mentioned in his book Future of HRD - that for HRD professionals in India - a challenge is to grow professionally and there should be more focus on self directed learning - this is where you have been helping us immensely.

    2) Prof. Nivedita from Chandigarh (India)

    I appreciate your views.

    Very true, that we cannot make all the people happy, if you have a workforce of 100 people you can satisfy only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I re

    Learning to Speak the Customer's Language
    Being alone in a foreign country can make anyone feel like a fish out of water, especially when you don’t speak the language. One of the many things that can magnify this problem is realizing how badly you need to find a restroom.Unfamiliar with the customs, the language, and the people, you try your best to describe what you need, relying on hand gestures and facial expressions. For some reason, you find yourself speaking louder and slower, as if it could help others understand your foreign words. Your desperation and discomfort well up and you can barely hold back the tears. Then, miraculously, you find someone who speaks perfect English.You burst with joy, telling this stranger all about your restroom crisis. In just a few minutes, you have a new friend – someone who understands you and, most importantly, can help you with your problem. You feel connected and at home, simply because you speak the same language.The sales world is no different. As salespeople spend each day immersed in the details of their job, they begin to pick up their own language. This language consists of specifications and insider talk that strays from the basics of customer usage and focuses on pages per minute, horsepower and reach. This techno-babble language becomes second nature, as if everybody in the world understands, or cares, about these types of details.Salespeople become so comfortable with their own language that they fail to realize it has created a barrier between themselves and their customers. The customer doesn’t know how to speak the techno-babble language of the salesperson, and the salesperson is too engulfed in their own world to understand the meaning behind customers’ concerns and questions.This problem of language is often most evident when the salesperson and customer make contact for the first time. Usually, customers want more information, but don’t know enough about the product or service t
    y only 80-90 of them.

    This Love hate relationship is not with HR, it can be with any other department in the organisation as well.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts.

    3) Maya from Trivandrum (India)

    This was an excellent interpretation to the statement made. It makes perfect sense.

    The HR unfortunately is sometimes made the scape-goat for many organizational decisions that may not be taken well by the employees. We generally have to enforce these decisions.

    An HR has to balance the employees’ interest with that of the organization and consequentially end up with the "hatred" of many.

    Like you said communication and making people understand why things are done the way they are is the best way to reduce this feeling.

    However making such an absolute statement that too by a senior professional is very "unprofessional".

    4) Govind Gadiyar from Mumbai

    Let me respond as follows:

    Kuchh To Log Kahenge, Logonka Kaam Hai Kehna...

    Need I say more for any HR Person...

    5) Yashesh.Z from Mumbai (India)

    Why employees hate HR?

    Employees hate HR, when

    1st of all HR don't have proper solution to any problem they just know how to push work on other shoulders.

    There is communication gap but also they don't know how to maintain relations with all levels of employees

    I have seen HR treating employees , they are good with higher post people but those who are on junior level, HR don't even look at them

    HR will never do increment on his own , employee has to do follow with HR for the same , and in return they say we are still observing your work,

    And if employee is on contract , than that employee should not keep any expectation from HR. Becoz for HR, employee who r on contract are equal to peon/office boy.

    HR only consider few cases if they come from top level.

    One good thing i can tell about HR that they play good politics

    6) Samvedan from Pune (India)

    At the outset, let me state emphatically that all employees in all organizations do NOT hate HR. The sweeping generalization by the initiator of the thread, is extremely UNKIND to the HR community apart from being completely WRONG.

    Having said that, let me also state that every flock may (and usually has) black sheep. HR flock cannot claim to be an exception.

    HR is perceived "close to the management", "a power center", with access to confidential information in relation to the organization and to the employees. Handling an animate resource like Human Resource, the HR fraternity also is vulnerable to corruption by the feeling of power and of self importance! When this starts to happen, the anti HR feelings are born and start to grow.

    The role perception of an HR job needs to be carefully evolved. The stance is important. I recommend for everyone's consideration that the stance of every HR should be that of a "friend, philosopher and a guide" and the role to be that of a "facilitator". HR is knowledge and values based function. HR is the conscious keeper of the organization and must conduct itself always in an exemplary manner for all others to emulate!

    When some members of our community overlook these fundamental truths, such perceptions are generated.

    Yet, I state that the perception belongs to the unfortunate and a very small group who have not seen the right kind of HR!

    7) R Devarajan from Chennai (India)

    Human wants both professionally and personally always multiples every day. No one cannot satisfy all the requirements at one time. Some wants cannot be satisfied at all. In HR one have to look into the overall performance only and not to look into the satisfaction of every individual. It is totally impossible to satisfy everything the employee needs. So all the other departments and staffs must realize this. as other departments we are not dealing with machines and money. We are dealing with humans and their mind, which is obviously very tough to read and react.

    Therefore, moulding an individual involves more ills and spills.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Think about it…and share your comments and feedback.

    With lots of Care and Affection...

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