Investing In People Book Summary - Investing In People Book explained in key points

Investing In People summary

Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau

Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives

4.3 (15 ratings)
15 mins

Brief summary

Investing In People by Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau is an insightful management guide that explores the importance of human capital in business success. The book offers practical tips for enhancing employees' value and engaging them in organizational goals.

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    Investing In People
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    Great HR and your company shines. Poor HR and your company suffers. Ignore HR at your peril!

    The importance of human resources as a key driver of a company’s success is acknowledged but rarely appreciated.

    Any manager knows it’s important to have and maintain good employees. But could you, if pressed, articulate what’s good and what’s not about your own personnel management strategies?

    Many managers can’t, and continue to fumble with HR, for better or often, worse. The fact is that human resources is a crucial element in determining whether your company will grow and thrive.

    Why then, do we so often value HR not on its effectiveness but solely on whether it’s efficient?

    You might easily see the connection between effective marketing and revenues, but teasing out the link between HR and financial success is trickier. Because of this, business leaders are largely indifferent to human resources issues, and only assess strategies with regard to cost efficiency.

    But the advantages of good HR are plain to see. Companies depend on both the quality and commitment of employees. The Hay Group’s “World's Most Admired Companies” list even shows that companies that treat their people as valuable assets are as a rule more successful.

    It's paramount to make the connection between decisions regarding human resources and a company’s financial performance visible and understandable.

    But what’s the best method for doing so?

    One powerful option is to use the LAMP framework, an acronym that stands for logic, analytics, measure and process.

    LAMP is about understanding the logic behind a problem, finding the correct ways to measure it, analyzing the data and creating a process to respond to the issues you’ve discovered.

    Want to learn how to shine your own LAMP on your HR processes? Read on for more.

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    Key ideas in Investing In People

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    What is Investing In People about?

    Investing in People (2011) shines a light on human resources, a crucial department in a successful company that too often is undervalued and underappreciated. A savvy personnel strategy can fine tune a company’s performance and boost employee well-being. The book provides an easy-to-follow, four-step process to improving your human resources strategies.

    Investing In People Review

    Investing In People (2018) by Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of human capital on business success. Here's why this book stands out:

    • It provides a practical framework for aligning human resource practices with organizational strategy, ensuring businesses can optimize their most valuable asset: their people.
    • By drawing on real-world case studies and research findings, the book offers valuable insights into the link between people management and financial performance.
    • The authors' data-driven approach and emphasis on evidence-based practices make this book a compelling and informative read, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

    Best quote from Investing In People

    Analytics transforms HR logic and measure into rigorous, relevant insights.

    —Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau
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    Who should read Investing In People?

    • Leaders and managers in human resources
    • Entrepreneurs looking to expand their company’s workforce
    • Employees interested in ways the workplace could be improved

    About the Author

    Wayne F. Cascio is a distinguished professor at the University of Colorado, and holds the Robert H. Reynolds Chair in Global Leadership at the University of Colorado Denver.  

    John Boudreau is research director at the Center for Effective Organizations and professor of management and organization in the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

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    Investing In People FAQs 

    What is the main message of Investing In People?

    The main message of Investing In People is that people are a company's most valuable asset and investing in them leads to greater success.

    How long does it take to read Investing In People?

    The reading time for Investing In People varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Investing In People a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Investing In People is a worthwhile book for anyone interested in maximizing their organization's performance. It provides valuable insights and strategies for investing in your people.

    Who is the author of Investing In People?

    The authors of Investing In People are Wayne Cascio and John Boudreau.

    What to read after Investing In People?

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