AnnMarie Mercer

📚**Strategic Planning for Next Year: Investing in Continuous Learning and Employee Development** As we prepare for the upcoming fiscal year, it's essential to align our budget with our commitment to continuous learning and employee development. These initiatives are critical for fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation within our organization. **1. Importance of Continuous Learning** Continuous learning is not just a trend; it's a necessity in today’s fast-paced business environment. It enables our workforce to: - **Adapt to Change:** Equip employees with skills to navigate new technologies and processes. - **Drive Innovation:** Encourage creative problem-solving and new ideas that enhance our competitive edge. - **Increase Engagement:** Foster a motivated workforce that feels valued and invested in. **2. Creating Effective Training Programs** To maximize our training investments, we will: - **Assess Training Needs:** Conduct thorough assessments to identify skill gaps and align training with organizational goals. - **Set Clear Objectives:** Establish specific, measurable objectives for each training initiative to track progress and effectiveness. - **Engage Employees:** Utilize interactive training methods, ensuring that learning is both effective and enjoyable. **3. Budget Allocation for Training and Development** As part of our budgeting process, we propose the following allocations to support our employee development initiatives: - **Training Programs:** Allocate funds for workshops, online courses, and certification programs that target identified skill gaps. - **Learning Resources:** Budget for access to e-learning platforms and materials that support continuous learning. - **Partnerships:** Set aside funds for potential partnerships with educational institutions to provide cost-effective training solutions. **4. Evaluating the Impact** We will implement a framework to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) for our training initiatives: - **Performance Metrics:** Track employee performance and retention rates post-training to gauge effectiveness. - **Feedback Mechanisms:** Collect feedback from participants to continuously refine and improve our training offerings. **Conclusion** By strategically linking our budget to continuous learning and employee development, we can ensure that our workforce is equipped to meet future challenges. Investing in these initiatives will not only enhance our team's skills but also drive overall organizational success. #ContinuousLearning #EmployeeDevelopment #TrainingPrograms #Workforce2025 #OrganizationalSuccess #Budgeting #TrainingInvestment #OrganizationalGrowth 📊💼

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I had the good fortune of participating in the #CHREATE project, The Consortium to Reimagine HR, Employment Alternatives, Talent, and the Enterprise, a select group of top HR leaders focused on the future of work, led by John Boudreau, Eva Sage-Gavin et al One of the CHROs that I have worked, as a mentor to our students, speaker at our programs, is Eric Severson. Eric is a seasoned board director, C-Suite human capital management executive with 30 years of experience in Fortune 200 companies Throughout his career as CHRO at Neiman Marcus Group (NMG), DaVita, The Gap, he has gained valuable insights that have shaped his leadership approach. These represent a special learning opportunity for other HR leaders who aspire to develop themselves. Some examples: 1. Embrace Agility and Innovation: At NMG, he re-engineered the people services model, adding five capabilities—analytics, PMO, enterprise talent acquisition, ESG, and Belonging/Evidence-based DEI—while reducing spending by $1M annually. This saved $100M over four years, increased employee net promoter score (eNPS) by 34%, time-to-hire by 16%, retention by 5%, and VP diversity by 46% 2. Foster a Culture of Inclusivity: Creating an inclusive workplace drives engagement and performance. By introducing NMG’s first Belonging/ Evidence-based DEI strategy that increased VP diversity, Glassdoor rating by 35%, LinkedIn followers by 48%, press impressions by 212% 3. Effective Crisis Management: Leading workforce management during NMG's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, involved restructuring 3,000 positions, highlighting the need for effective crisis strategies, resilient leadership. Co-leading the Smart Retail initiative resulted in $30M in savings and enhanced their business continuity and operational efficiency 4. Employee Engagement Drives Success: Improving eNPS, retention rates, and overall engagement reinforced the fact that engaged employees are key to success. Regularly seek employee feedback, recognize, and reward contributions, and create growth opportunities 5. Lead with Empathy: Implementing a 16-week paid parental leave program and other employee-centric initiatives taught him the value of leading with empathy. Addressing personal, professional needs builds trust. Lessons Learned 1. Embrace agile practices to stay competitive and responsive to change. through continuous improvement and innovation 2. Prioritize evidence-based DEI initiatives to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that enhances satisfaction, innovation, and performance 3. Have crisis management plans in place to lead decisively during challenging times. Communications and resilience are critical 4. Focus on boosting employee engagement through feedback, recognition, development opportunities 5. Show empathy towards your employees; create policies that support their well-being to build a strong, loyal, and motivated team Hopefully Eric's experiences can provide some ideas, tools, insights to help in your own situation

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Future-Ready Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce #4   As we stand on the cusp of a new era in the world of work, the skills needed to thrive in tomorrow's workforce are undergoing a profound transformation. Rapid advancements in technology, coupled with shifting economic and social landscapes, are reshaping the job market in unprecedented ways.   In this dynamic environment, it's essential for individuals to equip themselves with future-ready skills that will enable them to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.   ·       Charting Your Career Path   Navigating the complexities of the future job market can be daunting, but it's also an opportunity to redefine what success looks like on your own terms. Whether you're looking to advance in your current career, transition to a new field, or pursue entrepreneurship, developing future-ready skills will be essential for achieving your goals. By taking ownership of your career path and investing in your professional development, you can position yourself for success in tomorrow's workforce.     Connect with us today at https://hvrecruitment.com/ to explore how we can support your talent needs in this dynamic tech era.   #FutureOfWork #SkillsDevelopment #CareerSuccess #HVR #Recruitment

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The concept of Strategic HR Business Partnering is gaining significant attention as organizations increasingly recognize the critical role that human resources play in driving business success. Unlike traditional HR, which often focuses on administrative and transactional tasks, strategic HR business partnering aligns HR functions with the strategic goals of the organization. This approach allows HR professionals to work closely with senior leaders to develop and implement strategies that enhance workforce performance, drive organisational change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Register NOW! #MuhamamdSajwani #EvolveHR #LearningResourceCentre

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Managing New Hires During Organizational Transformation When an organization is going through a major transformation, it can be challenging to bring new hires onboard. Integration during this process can be difficult if you are not aware of the best practices. My post on the Ottawa HR Corner provides information on 5 interventions that can support new hires during a transformation. You can find the link to the post below; https://lnkd.in/gKF4Vjt3

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Is HR just another task on your to-do list? It shouldn't be. Strategic Human Resource Management is about transforming HR from a cost center to a strategic partner. Learn how aligning your HR function with your business objectives can drive growth, boost employee morale, and improve overall performance.

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Just Remember What do you remember about your journey through life? your formative years, high school, when you graduated, when you got your first job, started your first business, your first major vacation and so on. A lot of times we focus on what we are going through rather than on what we are going to. We tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive or the possibilities. There is a lot of great things happening within us, around us, in our relationships, in our workplace and in our world that needs celebrating. I was reflecting on how far I have come the other day and went through memory lane where I recollected the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of life. Life is a fascinating journey filled with different seasons. Some seasons are great while other season are not so great. What I know is that every season has a purpose in our lives when we look at things within the context of the bigger picture or the grand scheme of things. I don’t know what season you are in right now, but what I can say is to remember not to waste the season you are in. During seasons of disruption, we forget to focus on where we are going and rather focus on what we are going through. Too much focus on what we are going through distorts our vision, taints our focus, and sucks our energy. I suggest you spend this week remembering how far you have come, the amazing journey ahead, the sights and sounds as you continue the journey called life. Have an amazing week and don’t forget to encourage the people you meet to keep on moving forward. See you on my next podcast. #justremenber #focusyourjourney #buildyourfuture #makeitcount

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💼 Mastering Skills-Based HR: The New Frontier in Talent Management 📊 Skills-based HR practices are transforming how organizations hire, manage, and develop talent. This podcast episode from TalentCulture breaks down how HR teams can leverage skills-based strategies to better align with business needs and empower employees. In this episode, you’ll learn: 💠How to implement skills-based hiring 💠The role of data in workforce transformation 💠Key research findings on skills-based pay and development Tune in for practical insights that can help you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of HR! 🎧 Listen Here https://buff.ly/4eezqgt #TalentManagement #SkillsBasedHR #HRInnovation #LearningAndDevelopment #BlossomLMS

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The Canadian SME Small Business Summit took place on October 24 @ the MTCC. I had really insightful conversations with attendees, saw some familiar faces and made new connections. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to share how #fractionalHR expertise can help growing small & medium-sized businesses be more successful. #torontohr #hrconsultant #startups #entrepreneur #smesummit #talent #employeeengagement #hrconsulting #hrleadership #smbhr #smesuccess #startuphr

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HR leaders make a business case for AI in the budgeting process by focusing on impact. 🎯 AI can help your team work smarter—tackling inefficiencies, freeing up time, and empowering HR organizations to deliver more impact. Try asking the following questions: 🔍 How might AI address high-priority challenges like retention or talent acquisition for your business? ⏳ What tasks are draining time and resources in your team’s workflows? 📈 How might AI reduce costs, enhance productivity, or improve employee engagement? Forrester calls 2025 the “year of reckoning” for AI adoption. Practical, data-driven strategies will turn your vision into reality. Get tactics for including AI in your 2025 plan. Find the link in comments. #Leadership #AIinHR #FutureOfWork #HRBudget

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Leaders face a myriad of challenges in optimizing workplaces for the future. Key trends emerging in 2024 build upon those from 2023, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to address employees' evolving needs and expectations. 1. Hybrid work models: Expanding remote work strategies to incorporate hybrid models is paramount. Leaders must develop effective oversight and scheduling strategies to balance flexibility with in-office collaboration. 2. Employee well-being: Holistic well-being strategies, encompassing mental, physical, financial, and professional aspects, are essential. Leaders must prioritize employee support to foster engagement and productivity. 3. Virtual teamwork: Enhancing tools for seamless virtual teamwork is critical. Leaders must evaluate, select, and deploy technology solutions while ensuring employees have adequate access and training for effective collaboration. In embracing these trends, leaders can empower their teams to thrive in the new workplace reality. How can our organizations adapt to these challenges, and what strategies can we implement to optimize performance and well-being? #leadership #wellbeing #trends #organizationalsuccess

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Companies grow when leadership grows. When leadership stagnates, companies come to a standstill, too. The key to getting things going again is executive coaching. My team designs executive coaching programs for leaders based on their specific needs. I’m sure it’ll be an eye-opening and enriching experience.

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