As your business grows, you might decide that the time is right to start working with an HR consultant. It’s certainly true that having a people professional on your side can bring huge benefits, and it could be exactly what you need to create steady and manageable growth.
Before setting the wheels in motion, it might be useful to take a step back and think about what you can do to ensure that the relationship reaches its full potential. Let’s explore the practical steps you can take.
Be open and honest about absolutely everything
When you first start to work with any kind of professional services consultant, there’s always a period during which you’re still getting to know each other. You’ll be asked questions about business, and it can be tempting to try to gloss over the less attractive parts, and not be completely honest about your situation and how you’re feeling about it.
An experienced HR professional will have seen it all before, and isn’t there to judge you. We just need all the information you can give us – the good, the bad, and the ugly – so we can work out an action plan to get you to where you want to be.
Remember to use their services strategically
Many people first start working with an HR consultant because they have a particular problem that they need expert assistance with right away. It could be an issue with a new recruit, or it would be a routine disciplinary matter that’s gone horribly wrong. It’s safe to say though that most business owners’ first contact with their HR consultant is the result of an operational matter.
And that’s fine, of course. Sometimes, there are things that you can’t cope with yourself, that need to be tackled ASAP. If you really want to get the most out of your working relationship though, recognise the strategic value that’s there for the taking. Engage in conversations about the future of your business, the big challenges you face, and how HR can help you to get you to where you want to be with less hassle and less fuss.
Speak up when you need help
The world of HR, just like any industry out there, is full of jargon and terminology that you might not be familiar with. The good news here though is that your chosen professional will break down everything you need to know, so it’s easy to understand and digest. If there’s anything at all that you feel unsure about, don’t be afraid to speak up.
As skilled as we are, we can’t read your mind! And we’re always more than happy to go that extra mile so you’re really reaping the benefits of having your own dedicated HR point of contact.
It’s normal to feel slightly overwhelmed at the thought of working with an HR consultant. You probably felt the same when you first called upon the services of your accountant. If you follow these steps though, teething problems can be avoided, and you’re likely to quickly discover that taking the plunge was the best decision that you’ve ever made.
Want to have a discussion about how all of this could work for you, in really practical terms? Then give us a call today and see how we can help you.
