Properly investing in Human Capital will be the greatest challenge for organizations in the next 10 years (shrm, Nov.2010).  According to an article in HR Magazine/SHRM, article by Jennifer Schramm a few important points were stressed that I wanted to share. The two largest challenges will be retaining quality people and attracting the best.

Decentralizing decision making responsibilities to employees "further down" the chain of command and at earlier stages in careers will be important.  You will need to be sure they are trained regularly and keep communications very clear in order to ensure they will be prepared to do so.

Therefore, "organizations will need to invest in strengthing knowledge and capabilities of their workers", making it important to hold on to this well trained talent.  Keeping employees content will involved ensuring their work environment is what they desire.  It is important to find out what makes them "tick".  Workplace flexibility remains important and often the key reason someone will leave an employer.  Trust, respect, open communication and fairness is always important and I know I stress this alot in my work and enewsletter communications, but studies conducted have shown that this remains highly important for job satisfaction. 

Ensuring your "leaders" are well prepared to meet the needs of their staff will need to be a priority.  Ensuring that your written communication pieces are up to date and clearly written.  Such written materials are employee handbooks and policies.  Ensuring there are regular meetings that are useful and involve employee participation will be important.  Conducting effective meetings are a skill, be sure such skills exists to get the most of your staff time.
Having clear written strategic plans that all can understand and have a part of helping create will also be important.

There is no longer the ability to put the HR needs on the backburner, employees are your most valuable asset.  This needs to be a priority for any organization that wants to be successful and able to do "more with less"...which is a reality we all face!

The article concluded with the fact that not only is training critical but "HR professionals will be central to making each of the aims a reality".

Warmest regards,
Jeannine Brown Miller, MA, SPHR Principal Consultant
JBM Consulting