Human resources shouldn’t even be called human resources. It’s an outdated term, and there are so many things wrong with it. First off, humans are not resources. They are team members and people who work hard. Second, managing people is not all “HR” does. It also helps build and promote the culture, creates employer branding, and so on.
Source: Morana Bozic / iStock / Getty
As we see more start-ups fail because they had trouble finding the right talent, it’s crucial that this department understand what its true role is. It’s also important for CEOs to understand and support HR team members as more than just people who hire new employees.
Here are some things that every start-up needs to know.
You Need Core Values
Every business needs core values. What’s more, businesses need their employees to know these values and follow them, as well. However, most companies just place posters promoting this on the walls where no one ever notices, and people just forget that they exist.
Without core values, a vision, and a mission instilled in people in your company—from the top level to the bottom level—you are much more likely to fail. They aren’t united with one thing or one path. They aren’t sure why they are doing what they are doing. They are unsure of goals or what success is for their company. And they are also not invested.
“That’s why as a crucial part of your onboarding and continuous effort to improve the company, you need to let the team members know and make them follow these values,” says Casie Banks, a recruitment manager at Britstudent and 1day2write.
Employer Branding Is a Necessity
Have you heard of employer branding?
It’s when a business markets itself as a desirable employer. More employees are willing to be paid less if that means working in a great environment that respects their personal life, their advancement, and their need to grow. They also want great coworkers and office spaces. However, most employers don’t do a good job of advertising these features of their organization and only advertise the salary and duties in a job ad.
While the pay might be great, you also need to show just how great your corporate culture is.
You Need Expert Team Leaders
Promoting someone from your team may seem cheap and easy, but before you do, consider whether that person is better than professional candidates on the market. This person needs leadership skills, creativity, ideas, and the kind of attitude that motivates people and inspires them.
You Need Organizational Culture
Your organizational culture is a huge part of your company. If you want to appeal to new employees, keep the existing ones happy, and make sure that your company succeeds, you should stay focused on building an organizational culture.
It’s not just placing lazy bags in the common area or some whimsical statues; it’s about creating an environment that people can enjoy. For instance, promoting work/life balance is critical to building a positive company culture. This allows employees to work in a setting where they are the most productive. A lazy bag supports that, but it’s not corporate culture.
You Have to Hire People You Can Trust
“Many companies make the mistake of hiring various people that they are not sure they can trust to do the job properly. However, you should focus all of your efforts on hiring people that you are sure can do the job so that you don’t have to take on their part of the work,” says Earnest Winslow, an HR manager at Writemyx and Australia2write.
HR is always changing and is going through a revolution right now. More HR professionals are realizing just how important people are and what a great job this department can do with employees, culture, and employer branding. However, some people still miss the importance of HR. They need to understand that tending to the people of an organization is vital to its success.
Emily Williams is an HR consultant at Academic Brits and Origin writings. She advises start-ups and small businesses on their employees, getting the best talent, managing conflict, and so on. In her free time, you’ll find her writing for her blog.