What's the optimum number of direct reports? How many people should a single manager have working for them? What we are referring to, of course, is "Span of Control," and though there can be unique situations in some organizations, their are also … [Read more...]

After 20-something years of Human Resources management, many of those at the senior-most level, I've developed some beliefs. For example, I believe: ...that HR is, sometimes, too important for human resources professionals. It ain't about … [Read more...]

Human Resources needs to get past this, "Do it for one, must do it for all" mentality. It's just not true, and a lousy way to help a business succeed. I regularly tell people this about precedents: "Yes, I'll likely do the same thing, given the exact … [Read more...]

So, given that Human Resources eeems to be getting a lot of media attentioon recently -- some posive, some not -- I figured I'd offer a few things to really think about in 2006 (and beyond)... My top 5 for 2006 (and somewhat beyond): 1. Management … [Read more...]

Real, strategic budgeting for Human Resources must done from three perspectives: 1. Internal, expense-based management of the function itself, including headcount and required resources for day-to-day management as well as planned initiatives, 2. … [Read more...]

With one of my clients, a start-up, we scoured the nation for the best and brightest -- real "top of the food chain" sorts of executives. And we were pretty darned successful, since we hired a bunch of 'em. All brilliant, and at the top of their … [Read more...]