Question

A manager states that “HRD must become more strategic.” What does this statement mean, and what can HRD professionals do to practice “strategic HRD?”

Answer 1

The manager’s statement that “HRD must become more strategic” means that HR needs to adapt to the rapidly changing business environment. For a company to be sustainable in the competitive environment, companies need to adopt strategies to gain the competitive advantage over other companies. Strategic HRM is the practice of attracting and retaining talented employees for the success of the individual and the organization. HRD needs to be more strategic means it should align with the organizational goals for long term sustainability. The organization needs to develop its human resources so that they develop the skills and retain them to achieve the organizational goals. Employing well-equipped employees and motivated employees increase the productivity and efficiency of the organization. They also are the basis of enhanced customer satisfaction and producing better quality products. In the pursuit of these objectives, it is important that the organization needs to make their HRD more strategic to adapt to the future.

HRD professionals can follow the below steps to practice ‘strategic HRD’:

- Anticipators (forecast and analyze talents to meet the organizational objectives)

- Reactors (respond to the constantly changing business needs) and

- Partners (collaborate with the managers) so that they help to achieve the strategic business objectives.