Why Relationships Are HR’s Most Powerful Business Strategy 🌍

Presented by

Hey there, HR trailblazers! 🌟

What if HR could be the game-changer your business needs? This week, we’re uncovering the secrets behind people-first leadership, how misaligned HR costs $8.9 trillion globally, and why holiday bonuses hold more power than you think. Plus, we’re tackling the big question: is workplace wellbeing broken?

Get ready to challenge assumptions, spark ideas, and redefine what HR can do!

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• HR’s Secret Sauce? Relationships at the Core of Workplace Success 🤝

• Why Misaligned HR Is Costing Companies $8.9 Trillion 🏢

• Holiday Bonuses: The Hidden Power Play for HR This Season 💸 

• Stop Fixing Employees—Fix Your Workplace Culture Instead 🐘

Overwhelmed by HR Software Options? 😵

I get it, you've got a lot on your plate and don't have time to become an expert in the ever-evolving world of HR tech.

That's why I recommend SSR's free HR software matching service — perfect for HR teams who need help selecting the right HR tools. After asking you a few quick questions, SSR’s HR experts will tailor a custom vendor shortlist for you and support your buying process.

This is a free service and there is no obligation to choose a particular solution (they are vendor-agnostic), and have a 4.9/5 star rating from the HR teams they’ve helped.

Save yourself time, stress, and guesswork—let SSR handle it!

📈 Trending news

• The Hidden Gold in Silver Medalists: HR’s Secret to Hiring Success

• How Play Can Transform HR and Office Culture

• The Impact of Human Connection on HR Success

• HR Must Tread Carefully Amid Rising Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits

HR’s Secret Sauce? Relationships at the Core of Workplace Success 🤝 read the full 1,014-word article here

Article published: November 21, 2024

Lindsay Gainor, VP of HR at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, prioritized relationships over flashy initiatives. By connecting with frontline leaders, gathering unfiltered feedback, and aligning HR with business goals, she proved that a people-first approach drives stability, community, and growth. HR’s strength lies in the relationships it builds.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌟 Relationships first: Gainor’s top priority as VP of HR was to understand her people and business units before enacting any changes.

• 📣 Feedback drives strategy: Frequent, informal feedback loops—like monthly huddles—create transparency and ensure HR actions meet real employee needs.

• 🎯 Focus on frontline leaders: HR invests in developing leaders closest to employees, creating a domino effect that improves the entire organization.

• 🏔 HR as stability-maker: In a chaotic world, HR can foster stability by building trust, community, and alignment with business goals.

Why Misaligned HR Is Costing Companies $8.9 Trillion 🏢 read the full 1,332-word article here

Article published: November 26, 2024

When HR operates in a silo, it becomes a $8.9 trillion problem. Over 80% of HR leaders admit their strategies misalign with business goals, fueling turnover and inefficiency. The solution? Treat HR as strategic, integrate it into the C-suite, and leverage data to drive retention, innovation, and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• 📉 $8.9 trillion problem: Misaligned HR drives inefficiency, employee turnover, and financial losses, making silos a critical weakness.

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 HR = growth partner: Experts say HR should be fully embedded in business strategy, not isolated as a back-office support role.

• 📊 Data is HR’s secret weapon: Analytics can prove HR’s strategic value, shifting its role from compliance watchdog to a profit-driving powerhouse.

• 🤖 AI is changing the game: 96% of companies use AI in HR, boosting efficiency and alignment, though challenges like bias persist.

Holiday Bonuses: The Hidden Power Play for HR This Season 💸 read the full 1,046-word article here

Article published: November 22, 2024

Holiday bonuses aren’t just morale-boosters—they’re key to retention. Over a third of employees would consider leaving without one. While only 42% expect bonuses, 55% say they impact satisfaction. HR’s opportunity: tie bonuses to transparent metrics, align with goals, and show appreciation to keep talent engaged and loyal this season.

Key Takeaways:

• 🤑 Bonuses = retention: 36% of employees would consider quitting without a bonus, making this an HR priority to boost morale and loyalty.

• 📊 Tie bonuses to metrics: Performance-based bonuses tied to clear, measurable goals are more effective than discretionary or arbitrary payouts.

• 💬 Perception matters: Employees see bonuses as a reflection of how much they’re valued. Inequitable amounts can cause resentment or even resignations.

• 🏗 Leading industries: Construction, finance, and tech are most likely to give bonuses, with amounts commonly ranging from $100 to $1,000.

Stop Fixing Employees—Fix Your Workplace Culture Instead 🐘 read the full 1,321-word article here

Article published: November 25, 2024

What if wellness programs are Band-Aids on toxic workplace cultures? Despite billions spent on solutions, employee stress rose 13% last year. This HR Zone article argues true wellbeing requires cultural change—flexible calendars, empathy-driven leadership, and connection—not just treating employees as the problem. Human-centered workplaces drive belonging, productivity, and success.

Key Takeaways:

• 🐘 Individual fixes don’t work: Wellness apps treat symptoms, not causes. Poor workloads and toxic cultures are the real drivers of stress.

• 📊 Wellbeing boosts profits: Companies with strong workplace wellbeing outperform the stock market by 11%—culture change is a strategic investment.

• 🗓 Fix the calendar, fix the culture: Meeting-free days and shorter meetings create time for deep work and reduce burnout.

• 🤝 Belonging is the secret: A sense of connection and purpose drives employee happiness more than fruit baskets or webinars ever could.

Why It Matters

HR isn’t just about policies or perks—it’s the heartbeat of an organization. When HR shifts from reactive to strategic, builds meaningful relationships, and fosters a culture of belonging, businesses don’t just survive—they thrive.

The insights shared here can help you unlock HR’s true potential, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Let’s rewrite the rules of workplace success—together! 🌟

Sophia Bennett
Editor-in-Chief
HR Insights Today

PS - Do check out SSR’s free HR software matching service. As you know, buying HR software can be stressful and time-consuming. SSR helps you find the right HR software at the right price, saving you both time and money!