Out With The Old, In With The New! 

 

Just like the vibrant scene above, we often kickstart the year by envisioning our aspirations and future successes.   

Meet Emma, our main character in this story, a dedicated SME manager who may seem like a familiar face in your pursuit of objectives. 

To kick off the year, Emma starts laying out her team’s grand plans and strategies, infused with enthusiasm and dedication. Emma, passionate about crafting blueprints that seem foolproof on paper, believes that her people are set for success. 

Yet, as the weeks unfold, those meticulously crafted plans encounter an all-too-common stumbling block: lack of execution. 

Does Emma’s story sound familiar? Well, it’s a narrative we, at Howardco, hear time and again—a struggle familiar to dedicated SME Leaders endeavouring to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. 

Goal-setting is just the first step. Despite the dedication put into goal setting, the challenge lies in turning these visionary plans into actionable results.

Welcome to our first Newsletter in 2024, where we explore strategies to navigate the new year and empower you to turn your team goals into success. Expect insightful content focusing on Leadership and Strategy, including discussions on effective goal-setting and team alignment.

It’s time to think about your people goals for your business if you haven’t already, as well as devise a plan on how to achieve them by laying the foundations for your success

 

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS IN 2024 – PEOPLE  

 

In the fast-evolving HR landscape, Howardco experts have observed profound changes driven by technology. More than ever before, the call to prioritise people has echoed louder, highlighting its prime importance in keeping up with the shifts and reaping the returns. 

From our hands-on experience aiding SMEs, we share our top 3 insights for 2024. These are designed to help leaders like you create agile, people-focused strategies in this transformative era. 

 

INSIGHT 1: FOCUS ON LEADER AND MANAGER DEVELOPMENT 

 

Anticipating reforms in Australia, SMEs should prioritise developing their leaders and managers to guide teams through workplace changes effectively. 

Continuous upskilling and coaching are vital for SME leaders and managers to navigate evolving regulations competently.  

However, SMEs must acknowledge the possibility of manager burnout, as indicated by Gartner‘s findings: 

• 54% of managers experience stress and fatigue due to work. 
• On average, managers handle 51% more responsibilities than they can effectively manage. 
• 59% of managers spend significant time on “work to do work.” 

These numbers stress the need for SMEs to establish clear goals and strategies for Leader and Manager Development. As pressure mounts on leaders, the risk of burnout grows.  

Addressing this challenge head-on, we hosted hosting an insightful webinar: 5 Engagement Strategies You Must Adopt in 2024 to Maximise Retention.  

Watch the recordin here to gain comprehensive insights into how you can help and empower your managers with the necessary tools to thrive this year.

 

INSIGHT 2: TIGHTEN RECRUITMENT PRACTICES TO SECURE THE BEST TALENT

 

According to a report, key industries expect a loss of skilled workers by 2030, leading to bigger recruitment challenges, with skilled applicants and employees holding the bargaining power today.

Employer Branding and providing optimal applicant experience are pivotal today. Early candidate relationships influence motivation, and efficient data collection helps tailor approaches and uncover skills and opportunities.

Our team of recruitment experts here at Howardco offers guidance in navigating these challenges. From branding strategies to applicant experiences to process improvements, we’re here to help.

Stay updated on recruitment trends and ask us directly for support in securing your top talent.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A QUICK OVERVIEW OF OUR PRACTICAL BUT EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS 

 

INSIGHT 3: ALIGNING AND ENGAGING YOUR TEAM 

 

Team alignment is crucial for success. Without it, teams face issues like miscommunication and burnout. In 2024, as workplaces evolve, aligning teams becomes more important.

Goal setting is key. Once goals are set and agreed upon, people align their efforts. Communication is vital too. Clear channels build trust and shared vision, encouraging engagement.

Our recent STAR Workplace Survey for Emrich showcased a strategic alignment effort. Surveys like this spark dialogue and unite teams around common goals.

This year, alignment through goal setting and effective communication is key to driving innovation and building resilient, unified teams amidst uncertainties.

GET Results in 2024 with a Winning Plan. Ask Howardco How.

 

HOWARDCO RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• Leadership and Strategy: The Key to Achieving Your Vision
• Howardco Interview Series with Katina Rosker
• HR Planning – What will you do in the new year?