Most startups don’t think about creating a space for human resources in their team. They are much too busy chasing investments, clients, and success. It is only when they have an employee problem that the issue of HR raises its head. But whatever type of startup you have, human resources professionals can do sterling work. Here’s why.
What is HR?
Human resources, or HR, doesn’t always have the best reputation. HR professionals are sometimes cast in a poor light. They are seen as a killjoy for reminding relaxed entrepreneurs to maintain a strict boundary between work and play. If you are running a tech startup, it’s understandable that you want to chill with your employees from time to time, but is that wise? Your HR team doesn’t think so because they can spot the perils of mixing business and pleasure from a mile away.
The truth is that you need these individuals to guide your organization in the right direction. HR professionals are mainly responsible for hiring and firing, but their job description goes way beyond that.
Managing People
HR is all about people, and in today’s competitive market, people are a prized asset. Any entrepreneur worth their salt understands the value of their human assets. Without good people in your organization, your startup will struggle. You need talented individuals to build a solid foundation for the business. And as the business grows, you need that talent to stick around.
In the old days, an HR professional created rules, managed the business’s liabilities, and put policies in place. So far, so good. Today, however, the job description is a little different. The business world has changed, and HR has adapted. Modern HR professionals view their role rather differently. Along with making sure the rights of employees are protected at all times, they try to create a culture where top talent wants to stay. It’s all about creating a cohesive team and an inclusive environment as well as ensuring that the intricacies of employment law are followed at all times.
Why You Need an HR Team
Instead of waiting until conflict tears your team apart, create a spot for HR in your organization from day one. If you leave it too late, it could have a devastating effect on your business, which may not recover. Employees are far more discerning these days. They actively look for startups where diversity and inclusivity are more than buzzwords. It’s okay to keep things relaxed, but an HR professional can ensure you have systems in place to hire the right people for the job – and keep them on board.
If you want your startup to succeed, you need people who can manage your people. Take a human resources training course to find what HR entails. Or, if you don’t have time to study, search findcourses.com and send one of your team on a human resources training course, so they can get the skills they need to become an effective people manager. Look for courses that teach best practices and how to incorporate risk management into your HR policy. There are even company-specific courses available.
Don’t ignore the value of human capital. The success – or failure – of a startup is mostly down to the combined talents of its people. HR is your best friend in this regard.