Investing in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives
Susan R. Meisinger onInvesting in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives"If you can't measure it, you can't manage it."It's a lesson I learned more than twenty-five years ago, as a young manager, from one of the most effective executives I've ever worked with. More importantly, I also learned that "measuring it" wasn't enough. What's measured, why it's measured, and how the measurement is used to drive outcomes are what really matters.As the human resource (HR) profession has continued to evolve beyond transactional responsibilities, many HR professionals have embraced the fact that technology enables them to collect and analyze dataefficiently and in ways never before possible. They've discovered that the ability to analyze, measure and articulate HR's contributions to organizational success allow them to make even greater contributions within their organizations. They're using measurement to invest in people.But many HR professionals aren't agile in the use of measurements to move their businesses forward. Some simply don't know where to begin or are still looking for the "one true way" to measure—or are asking, "just tell me what to measure and what the number should be." They are thirsty for an analytic framework that underlies the whole issue of measurement.The mission of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is to serve the HR professional and to advance the HR profession. As you read this book, I think you'll find that Investing in People shares this mission. The profession will be well-served by the tools and analytic frameworks for the use of measurement provided by Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau. The observations offered by the authors on how best to "get started" in using measurements to inform and motivate strategic partners to think more clearly about the implications of decisions about talent will also serve the HR profession well. By basing their work on a foundation of solid scholarship and practice gained through their academic and consulting experiences, Wayne and John help to advance HR as a profession that is recognized as a decision science requiring special knowledge and expertise.—Susan R.Meisinger, SPHRPresident and Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Human Resource Management--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.