Inside the latest issue... cover image

theHRDIRECTOR Issue 70
This issue we speak to
Tony McCarthy
HR Director -British Airways

FEATURES

Roundtable - Shared services
Benefits Survey
Succession Planning
CSR
Outsourcing

FEATURING

KPMG
Hays Group
Oakridge
Midland HR
Dynamic Transition

Training & Development

Top Marks
The recent Leitch Report highlighted the extent of the skills problem, which has steadily worsened over the last two decades. According to the report, the UK currently has about 75% of the population of working age actually in employment.
On the front line
HR professionals spend most of their time developing their personnel. But they can’t afford to forget about their own progression. Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of The Aziz Corporation explains that HR directors need to share good and bad news, communicate change and implement strategies amongst seniors and staff. In short, their communication skills must be second to none.
The Jewel in the Crown
The prestigious list of honours says it all. For five consecutive years the jeweller has been voted The Sunday Times Best Retailer to Work for. In 2007, it was crowned as the Financial Times Best UK Workplace – cementing its place this year as the number one retailer.
Train through the pain
Government statistics suggest that businesses are twice as likely to survive if they train their people, than if they don’t. Comment by Ruth Spellman OBE. CEO of the Chartered Management Institute.
Setting Targets can be the key to successful business strategy
Mal Pancoast once said that 'The odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it.'
You can ignore e-learning...
Although there is little disagreement about the value of developing tomorrow’s business leaders, questions continue to be asked about the most effective method. Surprisingly, the debate still revolves around how best to use technology rather than accepting it as a tool, and focusing on the creation of relevant content.
Skills testing essential
With the UK unemployment rate reaching a 14-year high at 2.5 million and over 1.5 million people claiming Jobseekers Allowance, more candidates than ever are relying on government initiatives such as the Jobcentre Plus to help them find work.