Always Be Prepared

A very nice HR partner in our site initiated a weekly lunch for a group of HR new hires/interns to talk with experienced HR professionals to learn more about the company and their career experience. This informal luncheon has become a well received networking/learning event for new IBMers in HR. The group is developed by word of mouth and our topics are no longer limited to career building but cover re-organization of HR function, adjustments of business/HR strategy in this turbulent environment and tricky problems everybody encountered in work. As we new hires become more familiar with our work environment, everyone starts contributing to the event by engaging our manager or second-line managers to join our lunch to build the network further. This way, we are able to broaden our horizon of this large company and get inspiration about personal development plan such as our next desired role/rotation within the company.

The current economic crisis has been a hot topic during recent lunches. As employees, how can we increase our job security and market value in such a daunting and uncertain environment? Learning ability and open mindset can be a “rule of thumb” in for surviving the current hard time and preparing for tomorrow’s competition and challenge in career. Learning here is not limited to formal courses or events. All kinds of project experience, even beyond your work scope can be good learning resources as well. One major secret of this young HR director’s success is “always asking for more work to do”. “I am a not a workaholic” is my first response. But on second thought, this may not be necessarily in conflict with a good work-life balance. When you try to tap new areas, you’ve started broaden your skill-set and network which might help you work more efficiently, while demonstrating your initiative and time management skills. Therefore, managers will see that you always have the desire, ability and readiness to progress in a career ladder. When you build up the reputation that you are always willing and able to help, more opportunities and people will come to you naturally. By making your skill-set broad, unique and transferable, you can always get new opportunities while leave legacy in your current role.

While encourage its employees to enhance and update skills, IBM HR has formed a new workforce management strategy to manage its workforce in a more effective and efficient way. Many companies have mastered the concepts and tools to conduct competitive analysis in their product/service market. Now, how can we win the war for talent without knowing our inventories/assets of human resources? With a stronger workforce research capabilities, that is, the information of skills and experience of current employees as well as future needs can be collected, managed, updated and analyzed more scientifically, the company will definitely be more confident in exceeding in talent acquisition and deployment. As an IBMer, we can have a better idea of potential career opportunities and always be prepared to plan in advance to develop the key skills.