Building your first HR strategy? Here's where to start

Most businesses take time to map out a solid business plan or strategy, but the people plan that supports it can often get left behind.

Building an effective HR strategy starts with getting clear about where your business has come from, where it's going, and what your people need to help you get there.

When developing a HR strategy, we recommend considering 3 key areas:

1. Your business direction

Before diving into HR specifics, it helps to get grounded in what your business is all about.

• Does your team know the origin, mission and purpose of your business?
• Are they clear on your overall business goals?
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2. Your HR foundations

Look at the compliance and structural building blocks of your HR. Getting these right protects your business and creates a consistent, fair experience for your team.

• What HR documents and frameworks do you already have in place? What's missing?
• Are you up to date with changes to legislation?
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3. Your team and setting expectations

Understanding what's working (and what isn't) when it comes to your team helps you identify where to focus your people strategy for maximum impact.

• What does your team do really well together? What are the challenges?
• What are your team values, and are they supported through your actions?

Extra tips for HR strategy and planning

Engage your leadership team

Bring your leadership team together to work through some of the questions. Different parts of the business will see things differently, and getting everyone in the room helps you align across functions.

Ask your people

Use employee feedback to identify needs and areas for improvement. There are plenty of ways to do this, but an annual team survey gives your people a safe forum to share anonymously. It's useful insight to sit alongside what you hear in team and individual check-ins.

Set metrics

Decide up front how you'll know the strategy is working. You could look a key areas like staff turnover or your team survey scores. Know your baseline and where you’re starting so you've got something to compare against in the future.

Revisit it regularly

Your people strategy should evolve as your business does. Set a rhythm for it, ideally alongside your annual business planning. Revisit there are big shifts like a rapid growth spurt, or a restructure.

Need a little help?

Download our free HR Strategy Playbook:15 questions and prompts to help you get clear on your HR plans and priorities.

DOWNLOAD HERE.

Or get in touch if you'd like someone to work through it with you.