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About this podcast
In this episode we follow up on a CIPD research report which focuses on the way HR departments set about delivering organisational objectives and the changes they introduced to make this possible.
Philippa Lamb starts the discussion by inviting the CIPD’s Research Manager, Organisation and Resourcing, Vanessa Robinson, who led the project to tell us the background. She mentions how the Ulrich model is being used in larger organisations.
Philippa then talks to four HR professionals who have been dealing with these issues in their companies.
Kevin White, HR Director at the Home Office
Maureen Robson, Principle Consultant in Fujitsu’s Business Consulting HR Practice
Sharon Ellerker, Nortel’s HR Leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa
Stephen Smith, HR Director, Wholesale & International Banking at Lloyds TSB group
The interviews begin with Kevin, who explains how he implemented strategic change needed at the Department of Work and Pensions, where he worked before moving to Lloyds. Kevin suggests that having capable, committed people was essential.
Philippa picks up on the skills gaps and chats with Maureen about the problems she encountered following Fujitsu’s redundancy programme.
Nortel's Sharon Ellerker takes us through the challenges she has met and the ones she still faces in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She outlines what she might do differently.
Kevin explains how he solved the problems arising from reducing headcount and devolving HR to line managers at the DWP
Philippa discusses with Vanessa the possibility that the strategic and generalist functions of HR are polarising.
At Lloyds TSB, Stephen tells Philippa how training is the key to change. He outlines some unusual aspects which have been successful.
Vanessa summarises how she sees the future developments in the profession.
Watch out for the next podcast in the New Year, when Trends and Challenges in HR will be discussed with some of the biggest names in HR. Meanwhile we send all our listeners good wishes for 2008.
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