E-Book Overview
It is often said that the only true source of sustained competitive advantage is people. But what does that mean and how can this be measured and managed? How many organizations know whether their human capital outperforms their competitors’, or even whether it improves year-over-year? And what is the strategy for continually improving that performance? The New Human Capital Strategy is a roadmap for delivering measurable business results by systematically improving the performance of those in roles most important to customers and shareholders. Proposing a radical shift in the way organizations measure and manage their people, the book asserts that competitive advantage is a function of four areas of strength: * effective executive teams * leaders who deliver results * outperforming competitors in key positions * workforce performance Using examples, research, and metrics, this essential guide provides readers with a system for ensuring that their people are more valuable this year than the last.
E-Book Content
16600-NHCS 10/22/07 1:37 PM Page i P RAISE FOR The New Human Capital Strategy “Hall has put it all together in this insightful and highly constructive book. As both an academic and senior HR executive, his unique perspectives on human resource management has resulted in a groundbreaking and integrative approach to human resource management. While we can all appreciate that people are the key to competitive advantage, Hall’s key contribution is his development of a comprehensive and integrated model for human capital. This is sorely needed, especially today when HR professionals are seeking new ways to get traction in their companies. This book is not only thoroughly researched, but brilliantly written. A must-read for everyone who takes leadership development seriously.” —Allen Morrison, Ph.D., Professor, Global Management and IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland “Nothing sparkles on the shelf like a management book that explains complex issues with simple insight. The New Human Capital Strategy provides a compelling theory of people management for sustained business performance. But its real value lies in its powerful pragmatism. Hall’s book is destined to become a diamond in the rough of human resource theory.” —Michael Dixon, Ph.D., Vice President, Global Business Services, IBM Asia Pacific Melbourne, Australia “A real breakthrough in approaching this subject from a practical angle. This is neither a ‘nice to read’ philosophical essay of little use nor a standard ‘how to’ book. Brad Hall takes the human dimension of organizations to a new strategic level. By placing human capital in a business context bringing together the internal and external environment, he provides organizations with a true opportunity to finally meet the challenge of making ‘people their greatest asset.’ His practical roadmap gives a meaningful perspective allowing people to make a greater contribution to the strategic growth of their organization by discovering their true potential.” —Jean Claude Noel, Program Director, INSEAD Global Leadership Center; and former COO of Christie’s International—Paris, France (more . . .) 16600-NHCS 10/22/07 1:37 PM Page ii “This is a great read! This book will show any leader how to transform clichés like ‘people matter’ and ‘people are our #1 asset’ into a tangible business strategy, a competitive advantage, and significantly better business performance. The case for moving away from an organization that has a mediocre human resources department to an organization that understands the value of ‘human capital’ is compelling. More importantly, this book provides a pragmatic approach to the transition and will convert any leader who reads this into a believer!” —Tom DiDonato, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, American Eagle Outfitters, Pitts