Why is it that so many small and medium sized companies treat the HR department as a cost center only to oversea problems to fix but rarely involved in the company strategic planning process? This blows my mind! Lets first look at the top dog the CEO, who is basically out of touch with the day to day interaction with employees. They are busy with planning and leading the company to the next move much like a master chess player. Unfortunately they fall into the notion that they have most of the answers. At one level they are paid to have answers on the other hand it’s the employees that make it happen. I contend that the HR team or person is more in touch with the internal customers (employees) and if they are not content, I don't care how many great ideas the upper management team has up its sleeve. Sure they may get it going but it will never attain the highest level.
The new term 'human capital' puts employees under the use as assets that need to be cultivated. Put a dollar in the hands of a committed and focused group and watch some amazing things happen. The CEO needs to clearly define the mission not only TO the head of HR but WITH the head of HR because they are the conduit to the employee population. So companies stop being cheap in the HR department and hire really good people and pay well and see real positive change at your company
