What's Happening?
Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insight Group, emphasized the strategic role of HR professionals during a keynote address at isolved's Connect for People Heroes event. Harris highlighted
HR's ability to balance short- and long-term visions and manage unpredictable assets, particularly in the age of AI. Despite this, many companies still struggle to achieve strategic HR functions. Sapient's survey found that only 51% of leaders view HR as strategic, with finance being the most negative. Harris outlined strategies for HR to enhance its influence, including leading change, planning for positions, elevating time tracking, and humanizing absence management.
Why It's Important?
Strategic HR is crucial for organizations to navigate workforce challenges and leverage AI advancements effectively. Companies that view HR as strategic outperform others in productivity and market share. Enhancing HR's influence can lead to better talent management and business outcomes. As labor market dynamics shift, HR's role in advocating for employee needs becomes increasingly important.
Beyond the Headlines
The emphasis on strategic HR reflects broader trends in workforce management and the integration of AI in business operations. It highlights the need for HR to adapt to technological changes and advocate for employee-centric policies. The discussion underscores the importance of investing in HR capabilities to drive organizational success.
