WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE?

Our message: utilize a performance consulting process and partner with clients to

translate business strategy into talent requirements;

identify on-the-job performance gaps, both current and future, that impact business results;

determine root causes for gaps in business and performance results—and form strategic plans and the solutions required to address those causes;

form a measurement strategy on the front end of solution implementation;

implement solutions that yield measurable and sustainable results; and

measure the results, determining with management any future actions that are required.

The need to align tactics, such as HR and learning solutions, to the strategic business requirements of organizations is not new. The books and messaging that headline the need to be strategic are ubiquitous. Unfortunately, too many people who work in the HR, L&D, and OD fields continue to perform more tactically (their focus is on solution design and implementation) than strategically (where the focus is on achieving business results). A robust amount of research supports this statement. In the interest of brevity, we will cite just one of these studies. Lawler and Boudreau are authors of a longitudinal study of the HR strategic partner role. They began their research in 1995 and have continued their research to the present day. Their conclusion? Only modest change has occurred since 1995. “There is no question that the business environment has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, but the HR function in most organizations does not look very different from 10–15 years ago.… On the other hand there is widespread agreement concerning how HR needs to change: it needs to be more strategic and more of a business partner” (Lawler & Boudreau, 2012, p. 152).

This book is written as a call-to-arms to you and others who work to enhance human performance and contribute to business results. The approach of focusing on the solutions to implement, rather than starting with the required business results, is no longer an option. We can—and must—work differently. With numerous tools and how-to techniques, this book provides a proven process for working strategically and for partnering with managers to achieve and measure sustainable business results through human performance improvement solutions.