I was reading Workforce Management magazine yesterday and there was an item in the cover story that stood out. The magazine reported that:
A quarter of the Fortune 1000 have selected HR chiefs from outside divisions, according to the Center for Effective Organizations …
Many HR organizations on the leading edge of Workforce Analytics practices (that I have spoken with), for example, have had senior executives that came from outside of HR (and the HR profession). However, I have to admit I did not realize that it had become such a common practice. The Workforce Management cover story about Kohl’s and the move of its CEO out of that role to focus on Talent Management is certainly unique. However, in my view, it certainly bodes well that HR organizations are getting an influx of talent from the business. It can only benefit HR by improving alignment with the business.
What do you think? Will this influx of ”non-HR” executive talent change HR organizations (and the HR profession) for the better or not?
1 response so far ↓
1 Aneevarp // Sep 10, 2008 at 3:41 am
Organizations across India have also been bringing their seasoned business executives sometimes directly to head HR. I think it’s a great way to bring in fresh ideas and energy to the function. I also think that having seasoned business executive head HR would focus on return on investment of various HR initiatives, which goes on to help HR credibility in the long run.
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