The number one thing which I think would enhance anyone’s HR career (whatever their specialism or sector) is to really understand their business.


HR best practice and Employment law applies to all business but how and in what way is totally different depending on the type of business, the size, business plans and the stage they are at in their growth and development.


An essential part of a new HR hires induction should be time in the business, shop floor, site visits, time on the road with the sales team, client visits etc etc etc…  fill your mind with the business you have joined, how it makes money, how it describes itself and how its people feel about it.  This is the heart of your business and you must understand it to be able to provide the right HR for it.


If you are starting a new job, ask about the induction plans and make this a requirement of joining – better to start early before you get enmeshed in work or HR processes – the business comes first.


It shouldn’t stop once you are in, and if you are already in a role how about some ideas of filling in some gaps in your business knowledge.


A.     Become interested and ask questions, ask to see a report, ask to attend a team meeting, ask for a factory tour just be interested


B.     Watch how other teams interact and work, if you can sit in on some team meetings then even better


C.    Ask questions and never stop doing this, you need to know and people will respect you for it.


D.    Add yourself on the mailing list for any regular magazines/emails/newsletters about your industry – Legal Week or The Grocer – what ever your business is reading


E.      Work shadow someone new every 12 months so you can keep learning and keep connecting with people in the business, don’t be one of those HR people shut away in the office


F.      Update yourself and products, customers and pricing changes – get added to the email list for updates and spend time understanding them


G.    Invite yourself along to client meetings, exhibitions, annual conferences and trade shows


H.    Make sure you are speaking the businesses language – great HR people are chameleons and can adapt to fit in to their new culture – it helps build links and shows your credibility.


Do share any other ideas you have for keeping up to date with your business.