HR Considerations During the 2011 Strategic Planning Process

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Matt Meigs in Best Practices

By understanding the HR trends and issues that will impact your business in 2011, small businesses can heighten employee productivity and operational efficiency. Here’s three HR-related issues to take into consideration during your 2011 strategic planning process: 

Prepare For Healthcare Reform  
There have been many new developments regarding the Healthcare Reform Act recently, and more are likely to come. Check out www.healthcare.gov/foryou/small/index.html to learn about recent developments relating to healthcare reform. In addition, take a look at how you currently provide healthcare coverage to your employees and consider alternative healthcare plans (e.g., less expensive coverage plans, health savings accounts, self-funding) as a result of healthcare reform.

Develop Social Media Policies for Your Company
A number of problematic workplace issues can arise when your employees engage in social media activities at work without a formal company policy in place. This reinforces the need develop and implement a social media policy. Once you’ve developed your company’s policy, follow the “Three Cs” to inform your staff – communicate clearly, comprehensively and continuously.

Provide Leadership Training to Top Performers
For a small company to succeed, employees must have faith in leadership and feel they belong to an organization that recognizes employees for outstanding performance.  Investing in leadership training for top performers will not only help you retain your best and brightest, but others in the organization will be motivated by the understanding that management rewards those who excel on the job.