Human Resources shouldn't have to fight for a seat at the table! | Ian Williamson

Ian Williamson says that when companies are making decisions about entering new markets, HR's 'seat at the table' should be a given. 

According to Williamson's research into what makes a successful business unit, a deciding factor for HR should be whether the company is setting up an office overseas in order to produce the same product it is selling at home, or to create a product that is customised for a new market.

If the product being produced off-shore is standardised, a standardised approach to people management makes sense, he says. When this is the case, HR should leverage efficiency of communication, transportation of staff and shared knowledge to 'synch' overseas processes with the home office.

But where the product is being customised, a localised approach to hiring, training, performance management and rewards is usually more appropriate, he explains.

"So the strategy decision and the market decision are one and the same."

It follows that when the company is asking itself, "Should we come in as a standardised producer?" or "Should we come in as a customised producer?" HR must have a voice.

For more on this see the full article in HRDaily. 

Ian Williamson

Ian Williamson is also conducting a program as part of the Executive Series. What an opportunity it will be to see this man in action. His presentation methods are cutting edge and interactive, with the aim of providing actionable knowledge and skills the can be used the minute you walk out the door.

For more info on his program, Creating Value through People, click here or contact Marianne Carollo at the Melbourne Business School +61 3 9349 8292 or m.carollo@mbs.edu