Lockdowns are Unlocking HR Ingenuity. Do you agree?
Pandemics are challenging. The lockdowns are frustrating.
They have affected all of us, both personally and professionally.
When a crisis hit, the CEO called the respective head of the function for a solution depending upon the nature of the problem.
- When the competition heated up, the CEO consulted the Head of Sales and Marketing first.
- The Head of Finance was consulted when the profits fell.
- If the online platforms failed, it was Head IT who had the answer.
- When product quality failed or stock-outs became frequent, the Production Head was called upon for a solution.
HR was never the first to be consulted. HR remained in the shadow, among the second group of managers to be consulted.
This time around, the situation is different.
COVID has Amplified the Strategic Role of HR
With Covid pandemic and lockdowns, the CEOs called the Head of HR first for advice with the question:
How can we minimize the impact of the lockdown on our customers and staff
and comply with the lockdown rules?
The CEOs rely on the HR managers to provide ingenious solutions in a crisis. They expect HR managers to be inventive, creative and innovative problem solvers. HR managers now have the challenge of protecting the sales, profits, operations and even the company's existence.
Did the HR Function Rise to the Occasion?
In our opinion, the HR managers have performed well in navigating the companies through the COVID pandemic. They introduced Work from Home and systems for remote sales and service. They demonstrated how to recruit, induct, train and maximize performance even in a crisis.
Kudos to the HR fraternity. HR has moved from the supporting role to the strategic level.
Do you agree?
We would love to hear your story on how you or the HR team managed the impact of the pandemic on your organization.
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