How Contract and Fractional Talent Will Shape the 2026 Workforce
HR Question:
How can fractional and interim/contract talent help my organization stay agile and competitive in 2026?
Archive for category: HR Strategy
HR Strategy Questions of the Week
Company Holiday Party Considerations – Pay, Safety, Inclusivity
The holiday season is just around the corner, bringing with it a variety of parties and events that celebrate this festive time. These gatherings are also opportunities to express gratitude to employees, recognize their hard work, and strengthen team bonds.
Future-Proofing Your Workforce: The Power of Upskilling, Reskilling, and Skills-Based Hiring
As the workforce adapts to changes in business, technology, and the economy, organizations must ensure employees have the skills to keep up. Whether efforts are directed internally toward upskilling and reskilling staff or externally through the use of skills-based hiring practices, meeting this need is fundamental.
Finding the Right HR Solution: PEO and Outsourced HR Pros and Cons
HR Question As a growing employer, we are looking at options for human resources support. I have had a few colleagues recommend using an outsourced HR option, such as PEO, ASO, or HRO. What are those services and what things should I consider when trying to determine what is best for us? HR Answer As […]
NFP Workforce Reductions: Plan Ahead for Economic Shifts
HR Question: Our not-for-profit organization is concerned about potential workforce reductions due to economic uncertainty. What steps should HR and leadership take now to prepare for a fair and legally compliant reduction in force, and how can we support both impacted and remaining employees through the process? HR Answer: No not-for-profit (NFP) leader wants to […]
Do I Need HR?
HR Question: As a business owner, how do I know when I should engage someone to help me with our human resources needs? HR Answer: The quick answer is the typical rule of thumb is to have one HR professional for every 100 employees. However, depending on the scope of the role and how proactive […]
Why Overcoming Unconscious Bias Is Key to Your Organization’s Success
Question: One of the focus areas in my organization is promoting diversity and inclusion, and we would like to expand our current program to include more issues that have a real impact to our team and our community. I have heard about “Unconscious Bias” but don’t know much about it. Should this be a topic […]
Are You Ready For These Top HR Trends in 2024?
As we transition into a new year, the world of Human Resources is poised to undergo several transformative trends that reflect the evolving landscape of work. Some transformations are already at work, such as the continued integration of technology in HR processes, with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation tools. These […]
What Are Unemployment Voluntary Contributions?
HR Question: What are unemployment voluntary contributions? Can this benefit our company? HR Answer: Before we dive into voluntary contributions, let’s first address unemployment insurance. The US Department of Labor (DOL) explains that unemployment insurance is a federal-state program that is financed through federal and state employer payroll taxes. Typically, according to the DOL, employers must […]
Understanding the Importance of Organizational Analysis
HR Question: Our business needs and demands have grown dramatically as a result of the pandemic, and this is putting a strain on our employees. I want to make sure that we approach the growing and changing needs strategically rather than using a band-aid approach for quick fixes. What do I need to do to […]
5 Key Points To Use Assessments in the Employee Life Cycle
What is so significant about the term experience? Experience is how we remember life. An experience awakens the senses and, for better or worse, leaves a lasting impression. Often, those impressions are shared with others, especially with the ease of the Internet and social media. Driven by this, organizations today strive to leave a positive […]
Building A DEI&B Roadmap
When considering how to implement a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) roadmap, many organizations may feel intimidated. It can feel like a mountain to climb when it comes to the sheer number of possibilities, programs, and efforts that you can undertake. So, what’s a measured and structured way of implementing (or evaluating already established) […]
How will AI impact the Human Resources function?
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked debate about its effect on a wide variety of industries and job roles—and the Human Resources function is one of them! Many have wondered if AI’s impact on HR will lead to a significant reduction or complete elimination of HR professionals. Surely, it’s not possible to take […]
HR’s Role During An Economic Crisis
High inflation, rising interest rates, record-low unemployment, and strong consumer spending seem to have economists scratching their heads. In today’s economic uncertainty, HR professionals are preparing to pivot to meet the needs of their organizations should the economy go into recession. HR professionals are no strangers to navigating and leading through turbulent times. Throughout the […]
How to Develop a Strategic Plan for Your Business
Creating a strategic plan for your business or new division is like creating a map for an exciting, but unfamiliar, journey. This map will help to keep you on course if you start going in the wrong direction, but it isn’t so stringent that you can’t check out different roads along the way. As a […]
How To Turn Reactive Solutions Into Necessary Change
Question: I get complaints at times that I am too reactive to situations and that I need to be more strategic in my thinking. I feel like reactivity is necessary, in my job. Who is right? Answer: Well, you both are right. In human resources, we are required to react in many situations that arise…every […]
Corporate Social Responsibility
Question: My new VP is focused on Corporate Social Responsibility and I’m not really sure what that means. Can you explain what that means and how HR has a role? Answer: Corporate Social Responsibility is a broad term for self-regulating oneself in terms of ethical responsibility and compliance. The term can refer to both internal and […]
Leader vs. Manager
Question: What is the difference between a Leader and a Manager? Answer: According to Peter Drucker, “Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing things the right way”. For an organization to achieve strong results, both leadership and management need to be present. Management allows for leadership, and leadership invites development as people stretch toward […]
What is an HR Scorecard and how is it implemented?
Question: What is an HR scorecard, and how is it implemented? Answer: The HR scorecard is a method for Human Resources to position itself as a strategic planning partner with line managers and executives within an organization. A detailed and excellent book on this topic is The HR Scorecard, by Becker, Huselid, and Ulrich. This […]
Human Resources Assistance Needed
Question: I need help with human resources – what are my options? Answer: The role of human resources covers a variety of areas such as: Recruitment Training and Development Benefits and Compensation Communications Employee Relations Recordkeeping Health Safety and Security HR Compliance The type of human resources help you may need depends greatly on which […]
Getting Through Change
Question: Our company is going through a lot of changes lately… any ideas for how to best deal with these changes? Answer: There is so much change taking place in the workforce today, we can’t escape it. But it can’t just be ignored, we have to decide how we are going to handle or cope […]
Competency Based Culture
Question: What do I need to think about when creating a competency based performance management system? Answer: As with any type of new program being introduced to your employees a lot of planning needs to go into creating a performance management system. Start with a clear idea of the business challenge or problem you need […]
The Balanced Scorecard Approach
Someone recommended that I take a "balanced scorecard" approach to HR management. What is a "balanced scorecard"?
Understanding The Options Like a PEO, ASO, or HRO to Grow Your Human Resources Function
Question: As a growing employer, we are getting to the point that we need someone to take over the human resources function. As the Controller, I have been handling payroll and benefits but as we get bigger, it is becoming more difficult to handle. I have had a few colleagues recommend using an outsourced HR […]
Make Your Strategy Work
Question: I’m an HR practitioner consumed by the day to day, how can I be strategic in my role? Answer: To answer this question, let’s begin by clarifying strategic human resources. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), strategic human resource involves a future-oriented process of developing and implementing HR programs that address […]
Why Is It Important To Get An Employee’s Signature?
Have you ever had an employee question an employment agreement or say they didn’t mean to agree to a term of their employment? Why is it so important to get an employee’s signature? This is a critical question for all employers, and the answer applies to more than just employment agreements! At its root, a […]
What is HR’s Role in the Mergers & Acquisitions Process?
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) are a complicated process affecting every facet of an organization – most importantly, its people. Because employees are the key to ensuring the success of any organization, it is critical to develop a thoughtful and strategic human resources-focused approach in the M&A process. This requires HR leaders to be involved from […]
Mental Health Concerns in the Workplace
In today’s chaotic environment, many American workers have been searching for ways to cope with the “new normal.” Between the pandemic, civil unrest, a divisive and contentious election, and frequent changes in their day to day life, it’s no surprise that mental health concerns in the workplace are on the rise. What impact can your […]
Strategies for Managing Change in Your Organization
Change – it impacts us at work and in our personal lives. Sometimes it happens suddenly and swiftly where no pre-planning can occur. We find ourselves scrambling to process what’s happened, what it means, and how it will affect us. We are forced to pivot and determine what to do differently so “the change” becomes […]
The ABC’s of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” ~ Joseph Campbell “…and not being penalized for it.” ~ Robin Shabazz, JD By Robin Throckmorton, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: Last week, I had the honor of emceeing the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce’s Top Talent event – “The ABC’s of DE&I.” I can confidently […]
Performance Management Plan: The Individual Strategic Plan
Performance management has become an ever-increasing critical tool to success for businesses. Regardless of what is happening in the economy and other external factors, the success of any organization is always about its people! AND, as humans, we are typically far more productive when we have clear goals, expectations, and feedback. “Would you tell […]
How Your Corporate Social Responsibility (Or the Lack of It!) Will Impact Your Business
Be smart. Do good. That’s a simple, yet powerful message for companies that want to have a positive public image. Particularly in today’s world, your company’s brand, reputation, and involvement in the community play an important role on your current and potential consumers’ interest in doing business with you. In addition, your company’s community involvement, […]
Why Should We Provide Civility Training at Our Company?
Question: What is Civility Training and should I be offering it at my work-site? I have done the typical harassment, communication, and customer service training – is Civility Training different? Answer: Civility Training is a new approach for training. It is workplace training that includes: Harassment, Bullying, Cultural sensitivity, Diversity, and Professional Etiquette – all […]
Systemic Racism: How Can I Fight It?
HR Question: The longstanding systemic racism and racial injustice against Black Americans is causing turmoil in my community – with my friends, with my family, and with my coworkers. What can my organization do to activate solutions to promote progress against systemic racism? How can I be a part of the solution through my workplace […]
How to Tackle the Challenges of Scaling a Business
The path of an entrepreneur isn’t an easy one, and it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. Although the journey can be filled with challenges and obstacles along the way in scaling a business, it can also be filled with fabulous opportunities that create a rewarding career. To share the lessons that she’s learned […]
An Internal Review of Human Resources – The HR Audit and Organizational Analysis
The end of the year and beginning of the new year always seem to be a time of personal reflection and the same is true of our organizations! When we hear the word audit, most of us immediately think “finance” or “accounting,” not Human Resources. However, as HR continues to evolve into the role of […]
10 Key Areas of HR to Review as You Begin the New Year
As we roll into the New Year, it’s a fabulous time to do a quick audit of your HR function. This will help you start your year off on the right foot with a plan. Too often the day to day grind keeps us from planning and being strategic. This year, let’s change this! Handbook […]
Developing a Retention Strategy
Question: We know that finding and hiring good talent is a real challenge. Fortunately, we don’t have many open positions right now, but how do we keep the talent that we have? What can we do to prevent our employees from leaving and improve our retention? Answer: This is an excellent question! And one that […]
What Is the Business World Doing to Support the Sandwich Generation?
Question: With so much focus lately on Millennial’s, I’m curious what employers are doing to support another group of employees — the Sandwich Generation? Answer: For employees in the Sandwich Generation who are caring not only for their own children, but also for their aging parents, they often will trudge along to care for the […]
Project Management for HR Projects
Many HR professionals have experienced working on a project and struggling to finish the job. This could have been the result of resources that were only available part time, scope that changed after the job was started, or a timeline that was way too ambitious. As HR professionals, we are regularly presented with assignments that […]
