Lean HR

New data and projections are in from all points - we're looking at a year at least of bumpy roads and grumpy people and the new reality is firmly here.  Widespread layoffs will include a continuation of reductions in our staffs - by that I mean HR - at the same time that needs and issues are climbing.  With stressed employees come higher employee relations demands, heavier use of EAP services, and (probably) higher medical utilization.  In all of this, we've got to stay productive.

There is no graceful way to automate the face to face part of HR.  We've got to be able to make more time to BE THERE for our people.  We can either stop doing background things (not likely) or better use technology to do the background work.

If you have technology that you have not implemented fully (and you probably do) now is the time.  If you have "grandfathered" processes, retire them.  Simpler is better.

Simply put, now is the time for LEAN Human Resources.  Now is the time for assessments as a tool for productivity and management development.  Now is the time for human resource planning to guide the future.

Now is the time.  What will you do to get ahead of the curve?