Further developing the workforce must be HRs top priority in 2009

Further developing the workforce must be HR’s top priority in 2009 NorthgateArinso identifies nine challenges facing HR teams this year

In the challenging economic environment the war for talent will continue, according to leading HR services provider, NorthgateArinso. It is calling for HR professionals to be creative in how they develop the workforce, both in quality and quantity, to support organisations through the recession.

NorthgateArinso has identified nine business challenges that HR teams must prepare for and overcome in order to secure the future success of their company.

Nine challenges in 2009:

1. Competing in the global economy
2. Managing and motivating ‘talent’
3. Positioning the company as an employer of choice – whatever the economic circumstances
4. Identifying new delivery models, such as HR ‘on-demand’
5. Using new technologies to support ‘social innovation’
6. Developing the leaders of tomorrow
7. Making the right decisions on sourcing HR solutions and services
8. Reducing bottom-line costs
9. Providing accurate analytic data to the business

Although cost reduction will be the main item on most business agendas, HR teams must tailor their activities to reflect external influences and develop the most valuable asset of the company: the people.

NorthgateArinso has warned that reductions through staff cuts following the credit crunch can have a negative impact on the vitality of a company in the long-term. As the workforce is considered the most valuable asset of a company, HR managers need to provide senior management with reliable information and strategic analysis to support overall business objectives. HR plays a crucial role in helping companies to survive the credit crunch and secure future success.

“HR teams are moving from providing a service to being a strategic partner in the business, and this will continue in 2009,” said Anita Lettink, Director of HR Outsourcing at NorthgateArinso in the Netherlands. “More than ever, external factors have a massive impact and companies should unite internal forces to differentiate themselves in today’s turbulent and challenging world economy.”

The relevance of these HR challenges differs for every company. For a successful HR strategy, it is crucial for each company to put them in the context of their own business.

“From the key trends influencing Human Resources Management, we have identified these nine main challenges facing HR teams, based on our experience and market observations,” concluded Luc Bossaert, EVP Business Development. “Companies that have plans in place to address these areas will be the winners.”