In fact, there's probably no one more qualified to lead your organisation across the silos than you, when the following are in place.
To begin with, it is very important that you learn how to read financial statements and to know how HR connects for better financial performance. It is also imperative to understand the business in question and how every department operates. Besides, it is necessary to keep up with the trends in that industry and any concomitant technological advancement.
Next is to keep track of what your competitors are doing. It may not be out of place to know what those in the executive cadre are reading in order to relate better with them and dwell more on what matters to them.
Applying strategic HR metrics that can quantify your work is vital as well—such include, turnover; organisational revenue viz-a-viz the number of full-time employees and operating expenses. Also, to be examined is the ratio of compensation to revenue and operating costs.
Thus, the following are key steps to becoming a strategic thinker:
Be cutting edge: Think about what needs to change for your business to survive.
Obtain contributions: Try to ask others in the organisation what everyone considers less important and always find diplomatic ways to say "yes/no" when leaders come to you for help.
Keep professional distance by guiding employees to make decisions and let them learn from their mistakes. Encourage new ideas and support those who propose them.
Recognize and reward risk taking.
Prioritize time: Don't equate being busy with being productive. Focus on those high-visibility projects that can help you get promoted.
Training: personal and professional development in the workplace creates efficiency and this leads to financial gains. Training strengthen those skills that each employee needs to increase innovation in strategies and output. Employees with Project Management Skills are important assets to any organisation.
Be a life-long learner: Seek out knowledge and new skills. Be open to learning from others as well as teaching others.
Be innovative: Creativity isn't just about coming up with big ideas; it is also about being creative in daily activities and long-term thinking. Speaking up during meetings, raising relevant questions and alternative views can awaken new ideas that could be helpful to the company.
Review policies: In the short term, one can be more strategic by looking for ways to make products and processes more efficient. This can be done by simplifying policies and procedures. Start by talking with your employees to know what can be improved upon.
The overall goal should be to figure out how you can impact revenue, identify barriers and opportunities for productivity and future growth, in the performance evaluation.
Premiere Academy, Human Resources