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theHRDIRECTOR Issue 69
This issue we speak to
James Dalgleish
Head of HR - London Fire Brigade

FEATURES

Special Report
Interim Management
Retention
Reward & Recognition
Leadership

FEATURING

Hays Human Resources
Northgate Arinso
Mind
QVC
New Balance

HR in business

The survey, “HR Challenges in 2008”, asked more than 200 senior HR managers in the United Kingdom (UK) about their biggest challenge
Executives at multinational companies consider investing in China, India and South East Asia almost as risky as investing in Africa, according to a survey commissioned by Marsh, Mercer and Kroll for their report “M&A Beyond Borders: Opportunities and Risks.”
Marketers remain upbeat despite economic slowdown
The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s latest Marketing Trends Survey (Spring 2008) reveals that marketers remain surprisingly upbeat about their own organisations’ prospects – even if they are increasingly gloomy about the UK’s economic outlook.
A fifth of UK workers frustrated
One fifth of UK employees are frustrated in their jobs, new research from global management consultancy Hay Group reveals. The research identifies a series of management failures at the heart of workforce frustration – including ineffective structures and procedures, an inability to create productive working climates and poor handling of underperformance.
Despite declining confidence UK businesses still investing for the future
Business confidence across the nation's businesses has shown a marked downturn over the past year according to the latest National Business Survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of England's Regional Development Agencies.
Business takes action to cut costs and maintain cashflow as fear of recession takes hold
UK businesses are taking action to cut costs and preserve cashflow as the fear of a serious downturn takes hold, according to a survey of 500 small and medium-sized businesses by chartered accountants and business advisers MacIntyre Hudson.
Flexibility is the key to saving jobs and sustaining business strategy
With turbulent economic times forcing employers to scrutinise people-related costs more closely than ever, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reminds businesses that flexibility is critical to sustaining business strategy and responding to market changes.
HR engaged for upturn
Human resources director survey discovers organisations’ priorities for the next 12 months. Improving employee engagement will be the top priority for HR directors in 2010, according to a recent survey carried out by HR software and services provider, NorthgateArinso.
Senior interims say businesses still running too rich
The need to cut costs remains the biggest pressure facing organisations, according to a survey of 288 senior interim executives by Alium Partners, the UK’s leading independent provider high level interims.
Economic Downturn = career upturn?
UK business leaders expect company performance to suffer for up to three years as a result of the current economic turmoil, according to a new study from global management consultancy Hay Group and the Centre for Economic and Business Research (cebr).
"Macho" Risk-taking culture at the heart of the financial crisis, say Business Executives
The ‘macho’ culture and male-dominated working environment in many City firms caused excessive risk to be taken and lies at the heart of the financial crisis, according to research by The Aziz Corporation, the UK’s leading independent executive leadership and development consultancy.
Top Ten Tips to businesses for managing in a downturn
Atos Consulting, the business consulting arm of Atos Origin, has offered its top ten tips to businesses as they enter 2009 on how they can improve business performance without jeopardising the long-term objectives of the organisation.
UK HR seniors optimistic about growth
HR directors of Top Employers in Britain are more optimistic about their organisations’ growth in 2010 compared with their European counterparts, according to a recent research report on Top Employers in Europe.
Bridging the gap between Finance and Human Resources
Globoforce has announced the results of its research study that focused on the importance of bridging the gap between the finance and human resource functions to drive success in today’s global organisations.
HR at the crossroads
The HR function in large companies is now faced with a stark choice: either to evolve and make a significant, and strategic, contribution to the future prosperity of the organisation or be diminished and dissolved back into the business.
Businesses warned, “check Your Lease”
Business owners could be liable for payment of rent long after they have vacated a property. That’s the warning from Adams & Remers solicitors, following a recent court ruling
HR consulting industry in doldrums
Seventeen small companies in the UK HR Consulting industry are in financial difficulty as the lingering effects of the credit crunch continue to bite hardest at the lower end of the market.
Budget “good for SMEs”
The Forum for Private Business has welcomed the one percent cut to small companies’ tax...
HR on acquisition radar
On the face of it, news in the UK HR consulting industry is grim. With a record number of companies losing money, and overall business values plummeting - almost half are now worth less than half their value of 12 months ago- it's difficult to find much good news.
Opt out still in
The deadlock between the European Parliament and a number of EU member states, including Britain, looks set to remain unresolved for the time being, following a breakdown in talks in Brussels.
Directors still in the dark on legal responsibilites
Many company directors are still not aware of their responsibilities as part of the Companies Act 2006, and remain unaware that they could be prosecuted for their failures to take appropriate action when required.
Employers reminded engagement crucial
Business leaders have highlighted how an engaged workforce means increased productivity, innovation and competitiveness - as the Government launched new guidance to help bosses engage their employees.
No innovation? No growth
A draft report setting out priorities to support the development of Britain’s professional and business services industries was published by the Government
Culture of Underperformance in public sector organisations
The Public sector is suffering from high levels of morale-sapping internal politics, poor board reputation and a failure to tackle underperformance at a time when it is undertaking significant change that it cannot afford to under-deliver on
Employees must unite to build brand
Building a brand is the responsibility of all employees and not just the marketing department, according to industry experts.
High end HR recruitment on the up
There are signs of significant increase in human resources vacancy flows as firms increase investment and market sentiment improves. Companies are beginning to pay for top talent after a year of pay freezes
BA, the unions and the impossible solution
BA Plc and Unite the Union is quickly descending into a Greek tragedy, with the worlds press as a captive audience. Each side has suffered, in many senses of the word, on the journey thus far, and the end of the jolty road is not yet in sight.
Credit Crunch prompts UK brain drain
The UK labour market is on the verge of a ‘brain drain’ and struggling to retain home-grown talent, according to new research from professional recruitment consultancy, Harvey Nash. Official ONS statistics of emigrants leaving the UK are due out this week and are expected to be significantly worse than the record 400,000 who left in 2006.