Saturday, 5 April 2008
When Work Works
Part of the joy of running a small business is the chance to create a life not just a living for both yourself and your employees. Sometimes knowing what else you can do to create a fulfilling workplace (and not run the business into bankruptcy in the process) can be a challenge.

This week the Alfred P Sloan Institute released their report on When Work Works - a report of the winners of a major US competition for Business Excellence in workplace flexibility. This 90 page report is worth a read by any one who has employees.


Some of the points they have found is the best businesses all have a few things in common:
  • These employers don’t see looking over employees’ shoulders as the way to ensure good work. They trust employees, but hold them accountable and focus on results.
  • They don’t see the individual employee in potentially heroic terms. It is the team that must deliver performance.
  • They don’t think that automatically putting “customers first” above employee concerns is the best way to succeed. They have learned that a workplace that addresses staff issues has a staff that is more responsive to customers.
  • They don’t think that killer hours are the only route to profit. They try to ensure that their employees have the time and space for renewal to do their best work.
  • They don’t say that “only work-centric employees need apply.” They find that dual-centric employees – who contribute to their communities and are involved with their families – are among their most committed and productive employees.
While many of the businesses profiled are medium to large businesses - the concepts of allowing flexibility for life, volunteering and study are applicable no matter the size of your business.

The other applicable concepts are listening and acting on employees comments and holding employees accountable for results not "face time" in the office.


You can download a free full copy of the report from www.whenworkworks.org.

Until next time

Ingrid Cliff
Heart Harmony

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Wednesday, 5 December 2007
HR Tips - Position or Job Descriptions
HR Managers know that clearly written position descriptions are vital in creating a shared understanding of the expectation of any role.

Here are some key tips for writing PDs:
  • Keep the language simple and conversational
  • Include the context in which the role operates - for example is it part of a team or a sole position
  • Explain how the role fits into the big picture - what it contributes to the overall mission
  • Cover the basics such as hours of work and rostered days
  • List the tasks
  • Include any other requirements you may have (such as able to drive a manual car or travel overnight on business)
  • List the core skills, knowledge and abilities needed to be successful in the role
  • Include key selection criteria to help you decide on the suitability of a person to be chosen for the role
  • Review them at least annually - roles change as people change and grow.
  • Keep the the PD current.

If you would like to know more about how to manage your team go to http://www.heartharmony.com.au/hr-manual.html

Until next time

Ingrid Cliff

Heart Harmony

www.heartharmony.com.au

Business development for small to medium businesses ... through human resources

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Sunday, 25 November 2007
25 New Articles Posted
Hi everyone

I have just uploaded 25 of my business development, human resource management, marketing and personal development articles to my website.

Happy reading!

Until next time

Ingrid Cliff
Heart Harmony
www.heartharmony.com.au

Business development ... through copywriting, marketing and human resource management

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