This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert May 13, 1998: Changing Role of HR A recent survey of human resource executives conducted by Ernst and Young indicated that email has passed the telephone as their top means of workplace communications. We’ve been pushed into this seemingly impersonal communications medium by voicemail, the increasingly heavy load of work to be done by fewer people, and expanding electronic technology. HR departments are making greater use of intranets and other means of employees communicating directly from their work stations to update personnel records, file claims, and ask questions. These approaches certainly streamline routine work, building efficiency and often speed of response. But, there’s another side. Stronger use of technology will free HR professionals to invest more time in counseling, outreach, more careful selection, and coaching managers and front-line supervisors. Senior level human resource executives are being brought into the CEO’s office as corporate leaders recognize how critical human resource capability is to their success. This shift is significant—human resources is rapidly moving from a functional department to a vital part of the corporate strategy team. The HR role will undergo substantial change in the near future. The process has already begun in many companies, but not with the intensity we’ll see soon. Too many HR departments are not adequate to perform in the new mode. Expect heavy pressure on HR departments to improve staffing—both in quantity and quality—through improved outreach, more assertiveness, higher accountability. Human capital is fast being seen as the most valuable resource a company has, so more employers will invest in better recruiting, training and development, and concentrated efforts to keep people who can get the job done. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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