If you were a CEO and happened to attend the SHRM 2012 Annual Conference, which type of sessions would be the most important? Compensation? Benefits? Compliance? Employment law? Leadership? Talent? Which sessions make HR relevant in this technology-infused, innovation-driven workplace of the 21st Century?
Answer: The session that improves profitability.
Regardless of our business environment, every company needs to earn a profit and HR should be involved.
Most CEO’s want to know how HR can facilitate the creation of a high-performance, profitable organization. Unless a company makes a profit, many issues become irrelevant. Without a profit, CEO’s and their leadership teams are forced into cost-cutting mode.
I happen to think the creation of a Great Workplace should be the number one priority of the CEO and her HR team. A culture of respect and trust leads to profitability. And before all my friends in comp & benefits, recruiting, compliance, etc. have a coronary (which would not be good for health plan costs), the best thing we can do is devote our talents to the people of our organizations without forgetting we are in business to stay in business. That’s what makes HR relevant.
