In my travels over the past few weeks, I have been talking to lots of HR professionals and also their clients, and there seems to be a disconnect in what HR thinks the business thinks of them, and what their clients actually think of them.

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but in too many cases HR’s view is almost polar opposite to what the business thinks. Here is an example: 

HR says: Our business really values what HR does. We are true business partners.

Business says: We only go to them because we have to. Often, we need them to just rubber stamp decisions that are already made.

I heard HR described as follows:

Business says: You know what HR stands for, don’t you? Hinder and Retard. They slow us down.

This makes me quite cross. Not at the business for saying nasty things about HR, but because HR has put itself in a position to be criticised in this way.

When was the last time you asked the business for the TRUTH about what they think of HR and the services we provide?

When did you last “ride the subway” with your customer and see the business from their perspective?

What is your HR net promoter score?

In his latest book “HR from the Outside In”, Dave Ulrich talks about how HR answers the following question, “How is business?”. Typically, the HR person answers from an HR perspective and begins to rattle off HR projects and initiatives they are undertaking. They answer, “How is HR Business?”.

If you had to answer the question “How is business?", what would you say?

Talk to me about how I can help you and your HR team build their business acumen and begin to truly add value to your business partners.