Roadmap to Strategic HR: Turning a Great Idea into a Business Reality [Hardcover]

Ralph Christensen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2005

"Foreword by Dave Ulrich "It is easier to conceptualize, conceive, and write about utopia than to actually make it happen. Thirty years ago, when some of us chose to go into academics and live more in the world of ideas, Ralph Christensen chose to go into the world of practice. To be honest, he was then and is now one of the best 'thinkers' in the profession -- and he has shown repeatedly that he can turn ideas into action." -- Dave Ulrich, from the Foreword For decades now, human resources professionals have sounded the drumbeat of change: HR must transform itself from an administrative function into a strategic business partner. But it has been said so often, for so long, and with so little concrete, real-life information on how to actually achieve this new mission, that the message often sounds like a wouldn't-it-be-nice scenario. But it isn't. More and more traditional HR activities are being farmed out to service centers, external vendors, and line managers. The work of HR is changing, and more and more professionals realize that to succeed in the future they must be part of the team that makes important business decisions. Roadmap to Strategic HR is a sorely needed prescription for achieving strategic focus in complex organizations. Drawn from the author's more than 25 years of experience and insights as an HR practitioner at Hallmark and other companies, the book outlines a 10-step, results-oriented plan for making the transition. It helps you integrate top-quality tactical work with innovative internal systems -- talent systems, training systems, reward systems, or work processes -- that will meet the strategic business demands of your organization. Easy-to-read, thought-provoking, and packed with real-world examples of what worked and what didn't at Hallmark, Roadmap to Strategic HR helps you: * Boil down the reams of research and concepts into a comprehensible plan you can successfully implement. * Understand the business realities that are driving change, including employees afraid for their jobs, and demanding and scarce customers. * Compress the multitude of HR activities into five fundamental processes: workforce planning and staffing, learning and development, organization development, performance management, and employee relations. * Examine each of the five processes through a powerful strategic lens. * Resolve the tensions between HR specialists and HR generalists. * Build a real partnership between the frontline managers and HR staff. * Identify the competencies required of HR professionals who assume the crucial role of "organizational architect." * Recognize the roadblocks and political landmines that might lurk along the way. The connection between people issues and business success is irrefutable. As the author so aptly puts it: "Talent is the engine behind the creation of all value." Roadmap to Strategic HR is the most succinct, most practical book available for strengthening the link between people and value -- for building a department that drives excellence throughout the organization -- and for honing your department's focus so that it stays locked on the marketplace and the business strategy."

Editorial Reviews

Review

Canadian HR Reporter: "This accessible, down-to-earth book offers a prescription for achieving strategic focus in complex organizations."

Book Description

"Foreword by Dave Ulrich

""It is easier to conceptualize, conceive, and write about utopia than to actually make it happen. Thirty years ago, when some of us chose to go into academics and live more in the world of ideas, Ralph Christensen chose to go into the world of practice. To be honest, he was then and is now one of the best ‘thinkers’ in the profession -- and he has shown repeatedly that he can turn ideas into action.""

-- Dave Ulrich, from the Foreword

For decades now, human resources professionals have sounded the drumbeat of change: HR must transform itself from an administrative function into a strategic business partner. But it has been said so often, for so long, and with so little concrete, real-life information on how to actually achieve this new mission, that the message often sounds like a wouldn’t-it-be-nice scenario.

But it isn’t. More and more traditional HR activities are being farmed out to service centers, external vendors, and line managers. The work of HR is changing, and more and more professionals realize that to succeed in the future they must be part of the team that makes important business decisions.

Roadmap to Strategic HR is a sorely needed prescription for achieving strategic focus in complex organizations. Drawn from the author’s more than 25 years of experience and insights as an HR practitioner at Hallmark and other companies, the book outlines a 10-step, results-oriented plan for making the transition. It helps you integrate top-quality tactical work with innovative internal systems -- talent systems, training systems, reward systems, or work processes -- that will meet the strategic business demands of your organization.

Easy-to-read, thought-provoking, and packed with real-world examples of what worked and what didn’t at Hallmark, Roadmap to Strategic HR helps you:

* Boil down the reams of research and concepts into a comprehensible plan you can successfully implement.

* Understand the business realities that are driving change, including employees afraid for their jobs, and demanding and scarce customers.

* Compress the multitude of HR activities into five fundamental processes: workforce planning and staffing, learning and development, organization development, performance management, and employee relations.

* Examine each of the five processes through a powerful strategic lens.

* Resolve the tensions between HR specialists and HR generalists.

* Build a real partnership between the frontline managers and HR staff.

* Identify the competencies required of HR professionals who assume the crucial role of “organizational architect.”

* Recognize the roadblocks and political landmines that might lurk along the way.

The connection between people issues and business success is irrefutable. As the author so aptly puts it: “Talent is the engine behind the creation of all value.” Roadmap to Strategic HR is the most succinct, most practical book available for strengthening the link between people and value -- for building a department that drives excellence throughout the organization -- and for honing your department’s focus so that it stays locked on the marketplace and the business strategy."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (November 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408672
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408674
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is just what the title says - A roadmap, December 28, 2008

By 

Allen G. Etheridge "Catbert" (Huntsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roadmap to Strategic HR: Turning a Great Idea into a Business Reality (Hardcover)

This is a great read for anyone who is trying to understand the difference between strategic and tactical HR. This is not an ivory tower epstile, rather concrete, hands-on recommedations for thinking and acting strategically. Most HR folks call themselves "business partners" but are unable to rise above the traditional administrative role. This book gives great recommendations about how to design and organize HR to seperate the business partnership from the administrivia. There is also an excellent discussion of how HRBPs and HR Specialists need to define their roles and work together. I use the lessons from this book on my job each and every day.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough Look at the Evolution of HR, March 8, 2006

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roadmap to Strategic HR: Turning a Great Idea into a Business Reality (Hardcover)

Many people view the typical human resource department as an administrative heavy-hitter, home to experts in processing forms and muddling through paperwork. Employees who want to sign up for health benefits, contribute to a company's 401K or ask a question about vacation or sick days make a beeline to HR. That has always been part of HR's role. But the business landscape is changing rapidly. HR needs to reach beyond its traditional duties and become an integral part of an organization's strategic planning. Author Ralph Christensen, a former corporate senior vice president, says it isn't easy for an HR department to make the transition to becoming a strategic partner. But as painful as the process might be, it's necessary for HR to move forward and evolve. Reading Christensen's book won't change things overnight, but we believe that if you want your company to stay ahead of the curve, this book deserves a prominent place on your shelf.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-Inventing Human Resources, May 10, 2006

By 

G. Edmondson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Roadmap to Strategic HR: Turning a Great Idea into a Business Reality (Hardcover)

Human Capital is a trendy term for valuing the "soft assets" of the business -- the people. Ralph's book clearly outlines the strategy and mission that the Human Resource function has in realizing that value for the business. He outlines five strategic components of an HR strategy and offers a practical approach for transforming/prioritizing the work of HR into a strategic offering that aligns to the business needs.

This book connects the multiple HR sub-disciplines and provides the professional with a common roadmap for the HR community. Most importantly, it raises the key leadership issues that must be addressed to execute the HR mission (punctuated with his learning's). The book's integrated and practical focus is a welcomed addition to the HR community.