HR gurus from across the region are once again gearing up for a day of insightful knowledge-transfer, as the Yorkshire HR (YHR) Network prepares for its second face-to-face event.
Directors, managers and executives alike met at The Mint Hotel in Leeds on Wednesday, to discuss pertinent developments within the profession. With a specific focus upon HR tackling drugs in the workplace, the event will provide an unparalleled knowledge sharing platform and targeted networking opportunity, specifically for Yorkshire’s Human Resources experts.
Until October 2010, the YHR Network existed only as a virtual concept. Unimpressed by the lack of knowledge-sharing groups within the Yorkshire HR industry, YHR founder Abbie Granger (director of specialist recruitment firm Harrington Norman) created a LinkedIn group through which people could post HR queries, offer ideas and provide relevant updates – legislative or otherwise.
Despite the growing popularity of the social media forum, Abbie did not neglect the importance of personal contact. The network’s first face-to-face event was therefore held last Autumn and as a result of this inaugural success, YHR members now meet on a quarterly basis so that the experts can share their valuable insight in person, via seminars and roundtable discussions.
Simon Kingsnorth of Optimal HR, who will delivered a presentation about modern day staff engagement, whilst Farha Leadbetter of Gordons LLP will update attendees as to the latest in employment legislation developments.
Explaining why it is so important for HR experts to connect, Abbie summarised: “In the current climate, the success and sustainability of our organisations depends upon the quality of staff we employ, the efficiency with which they work and their level of workplace engagement.
“HR therefore has an extremely strategic contribution to make in the modern business environment, so it is crucial that we come together and share best practice at every possible opportunity – virtual or otherwise.”
To secure tickets for this or any forthcoming YHR event, or for further detail about the LinkedIn group, please contact Abbie Granger on T: 07795 460290.
In the current climate, the success and stability of an organisation depends upon the quality of staff we employ, the efficiency with which they work, and their level of workplace engagement. Human Resources therefore has a crucial role to play in helping businesses emerge from the recession stronger than ever.
In turn this means that we, as HR professionals, have a duty to share specialist insight wherever possible, but thankfully the growing prevalence of social media forums, webinars and blogs means that knowledge transfer doesn’t have to be a chore.
Until October 2010, the YHR existed only as a virtual concept. But despite the growing popularity of the social media forum HYR founder Abbie Granger did not neglect the importance of personal contact, hence YHR members now meet in person once a quarter. This allows attendees to really chew over the opportunities and challenges that exist for Yorkshire’s business community, and it is inspiring to see round table discussions come to life. I think we all tend to take our ‘know how’ for granted, but when you leave an event such as this you realise how much you can offer, and learn in return, in only a couple of hours.
One of the key things debated during the event was whether HR is still needed in the modern business environment.
Understandably this created quite a heated discussion amongst those present, but more than anything it showed the passion that exists within the profession! It cannot be ignored that a degree of change is essential, but this doesn’t simply apply to HR – I don’t know of a single business function that can afford to stand still.
Human Resources has a value-adding, strategic contribution to make in business, so of course the function is still needed. However an interesting statistic highlighted during the event suggested that only 15% of HR departments’ time is spent on strategic work. Perhaps this indicates that too much resource is being spent on transactional HR, preventing Human Resources professionals from excelling in their core field. To me, this is the issue to address, not whether or not HR has a future.
As a business, we really benefit from an involvement with groups such as the YHR – open, honest and educative debate is very healthy. If you’re not joining in, perhaps you’re missing out?