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The Essential HR Handbook summary
Sharon Armstrong
Barbara Mitchell
A Quick and Handy Resource for Any Manager or HR Professional
14 mins
Brief summary
The Essential HR Handbook by Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell is a comprehensive guide for HR professionals that covers all aspects of HR management, from recruitment and performance management to employee relations and legal compliance, providing practical tips and insights into the world of HR.
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The Essential HR Handbook
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Successful organizations align human resources planning with their overall strategy.
When you think of a human resources department, do you imagine an isolated, hidden office with a set of duties limited to simply hiring and firing?
Well, think again; human resources or HR is much more than recruitment and layoffs. In fact, HR is responsible not only for the acquisition, training, appraisal and compensation of an organization’s employees, but also for dealing with issues like health and safety.
So, if an organization truly wants to be successful, it needs to link its HR planning to its greater organizational strategy. For instance, it’s important for every organization to build a strategy that lays out exactly how its goals will be achieved. To make these goals a reality, the managers then allocate available resources.
And here’s where HR comes in, because the people working in the organization are one such resource – and a very important one at that.
After all, a typical human resources department will generally receive a hefty chunk of an organization’s budget to spend on things like salaries and benefits. So, if the organization fails to put its HR planning in line with its overall strategy, broad success will be hard to achieve.
For example, if an organization hasn’t put together a strong benefits package for its current and future employees, it might struggle to attract the high-quality talent it needs to succeed.
It’s important to keep HR updated on all organizational targets; doing so will help the department understand the role employees are meant to play in achieving these goals, which is the first step in determining whether the right people are on staff, and who still needs to be hired.
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What is The Essential HR Handbook about?
The Essential HR Handbook (2008) is a guide to human resources management. These blinks are full of useful tools and important insights on how to manage your organization’s most important resource: human capital.
The Essential HR Handbook Review
The Essential HR Handbook (2008) is a comprehensive guide to the field of human resources and a valuable resource for HR professionals and managers alike. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- It provides practical solutions and advice for common HR challenges, helping readers navigate employment laws, policies, and employee relations effectively.
- With its clear and concise explanations and examples, the book simplifies complex HR concepts, making it accessible to beginners and a useful refresher for experienced professionals.
- From recruitment and onboarding to performance management and employee development, the book covers the full spectrum of HR functions, making it a one-stop resource for all HR-related matters.
Best quote from The Essential HR Handbook
If you dont know where youre going, how will you know when you get there?
—Sharon Armstrong & Barbara Mitchell
Who should read The Essential HR Handbook?
- Anyone working in human resources
- Managers who want a better understanding of their organization’s inner workings
- Anybody who is in the process of hiring new employees
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The Essential HR Handbook FAQs
What is the main message of The Essential HR Handbook?
The main message of The Essential HR Handbook is to provide practical advice and guidelines for HR professionals to effectively manage people and organizations.
How long does it take to read The Essential HR Handbook?
The reading time for The Essential HR Handbook varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Essential HR Handbook a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Essential HR Handbook is a valuable read for HR professionals. It offers comprehensive insights and practical strategies to excel in managing human resources.
Who is the author of The Essential HR Handbook?
The authors of The Essential HR Handbook are Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell.
What to read after The Essential HR Handbook?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Essential HR Handbook, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Effective HR Communication by Debra Corey
- The Employee Experience Advantage by Jacob Morgan
- Everyone Deserves a Great Manager by Scott Jeffrey Miller
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- How Highly Effective People Speak by Peter Andrei
- Hire With Your Head by Lou Adler
- The Art of Influence by Chris Widener
- Influence is Your Superpower by Zoe Chance
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson