Strategy Fulfillment Through Human Development

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When we examine current organizational approaches to training we discover that it is haphazard, wholesale, and frequently unplanned. Some HR practitioners’ attitude towards training has been that it’s a necessary evil, and training budgets must be spent somehow.

researchers found that only 17 percent of leaders indicate their workforce strategy is aligned with their business strategy consistently across the organization. This means that strategic plans are moving in one direction and Human Capital strategies are moving in another. The gap between organizational needs and available skill sets is widening. More and more organizations are failing to carry-out strategies, achieve objectives, and to deliver stakeholders’ expectations.

The Missing Link!

Organizations have to quickly adapt and fulfill ever changing customer and stakeholders’ needs and demands.

Strategic Planning and Human Development are operating on different fields. Leaders are developing their 3 to 5 years strategic plans in seclusion and behind closed doors while HR practitioners are developing their short-term training plans; one is focused in the future, while the other is concerned with “now”.

Technological advancements have made it easier for organizations to improve and change. New IT systems, machines, and software are being developed in high speed. Nevertheless, people in the organization are lagging behind; they are not being developed at the same rate. As time goes by the gap between available skill sets and needed skill sets widens.

Best Case Scenario

In the governmental sector citizens are becoming fed-up with bureaucracy, and in the for-profit sector market and consumer demands are getting more complex. From personalized services to technological advancements in Information Technologies, medicine, and Information Communication Technologies the playing field is becoming more complicated day by day.

Organizations are forced to adjust and reexamine their strategic thinking in order to keep-up with consumer and stakeholders’ demands, and increasingly aggressive competition. Meanwhile, in the governmental sector, organizations are forced to rethink their approach to dealing with citizens.

In order to satisfy stakeholders’ demands, new strategies and objectives are being formulated and new technologies and systems are being introduced in an attempt to catch-up with an ever-changing landscape. As a result, Organizational Knowledge Needs have been growing faster than employees’ knowledge, skills, and competencies. Training and development activities are lagging behind, and this is resulting in Organizational Knowledge Starvation.

The knowledge gap is widening day by day, and organizations are unable to catch-up because of flaws in their approach to Human Development. The result is unhappy customers, unhappy employees, and a slow creep toward disaster.

Human Focused Strategic Planning

Government and private organizations must realize that strategic planning can not succeed without a human focus. We can acquire the latest IT systems, the fastest machines, and optimize management systems, but without putting people first, strategic planning will not succeed.

Human Focused Strategic Planning (HFSP) insures proper integration of employees in the strategic planning process. This approach will help organizations re-align their Strategic Planning process with current and future human capital. The approach includes three main stages.

Stage I: Human Data Collection

In order for HFSP to succeed employees must be actively involved early in the Strategic Planning process and in every step until the completion of the plan. As a matter of fact, in many cases in the Middle East this might require an organizational shift toward “Human” focused culture. Organizations should start building an Organizational Knowledge Capital Database. The DB will contain detailed employee data, information, and knowledge, and it will serve as an organizational knowledge depository.

The human data collection stage is comprised of the following three steps:

  1. Assess your “human” related methodologies, approaches, and implementations.
  2. Build your Organizational Knowledge Capital Database through identification, collection, and inputting your people’s:
    1. Competencies, skills, knowledge, etc.
    2. Psychological Profile
    3. Motivational Profile
    4. Learning aptitude
    5. Performance details
  1. SWOT your Human Capital
    1. Strengths: identify what are major HC strengths that your organization could count on.
    2. Weaknesses: identify what are your HC weaknesses and areas for improvement.
    3. Opportunities: indentify your hidden HC potentials, and external recruitment opportunities.
    4. Threats: identify your internal and external HC threats.

Building an Organizational Knowledge Capital Database is a fundamental step towards an effective HC management. The DB will not only be an integral part of effective strategic planning, but also it will serve as an effective tool for employee motivation, career development, and performance management. It is a tool which will prepare employees to cope with the complexities and accelerated speed of an increasingly demanding organization.

Stage II: Analyze and Build

At this stage we assume that the organization has followed the correct steps in strategic plan formulation.

  1. Analyze data collected during previous stage
  2. Incorporate employees’ career paths and succession plans
  3. Build knowledge capital model
  4. Determine skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to execute strategic plans
  5. Prepare Strategic Planning knowledge matrix

Stage III: Align your Strategic Plans and Human Development Plans

Here we integrate human development and strategic planning. The purpose of this stage is to define organizational knowledge capital, knowledge needs based on Strategic Planning, and draw a picture of our current position, our destination, and define our roadmap. Success in this stage is dependent on accurate and complete execution of previous stages.

This process is comprised of the following approaches:

  1. Compare Strategic Planning knowledge requirements and knowledge capital model, and identify short-term and long-term gaps
  2. Devise organization knowledge development roadmap based on gaps
  3. Identify most effective human development methodologies
  4. Implement human development roadmap
  5. Plan and recruit talent not available in-house (based on roadmap)
  6. Incorporate new talent skills, competencies, and knowledge into Organizational Knowledge Capital Database
  7. Continuously measure skills, competencies, and knowledge
  8. Assess and continuously improve your development plans and roadmap

Aligning Strategic Planning with Human Development Plans is the final and most important stage of strategy fulfillment through human development. This stage requires great commitment and effort by all levels of the organization.

Conclusions

Human development should be the core of any strategic management methodology. During the current talent “drought” it is important for private and governmental organizations to move away from traditional strategic management, and move toward building human centered strategies. This will eliminate many Strategic Planning challenges, and solve many organizational human capital problems.

As in any change initiative, organizational leadership has a central role to play in this process. This role requires their full support and commitment to their people in order for this methodology to work. They must believe that talent acquisition and development is one of their greatest challenges. Additionally, they should realize that the business landscape in rapidly changing and becoming more complex, and the survival and success of their organizations depends on a qualified and motivated workforce.

Human centered organizations have greater chances to survive during the current economical downturn. Employees who know that their organization cares about their developmental needs are usually more motivated and productive. Happy employees will deliver services, and make products that make customers happy. This in addition to human focused strategic planning and development will insure financial success.

* Copy Rights: Fahmi Abdein, and Empower for Organizational and Human Development, 2010

Backpackng Equipment – A Look at External and Internal Frame of Backpacks

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As with many backpacking equipments, your backpack is your ultimate tool when you are a backpacker. It is essential to make sure you choose the best one. Fortunately there are many choices on the market so finding the best backpack will not be too difficult.

Overall, you are looking for a backpack that is sturdy and durable. You want one that will hold all your gear, yet be easy to carry. You also want to feel comfortable wearing your backpack.

There are two main types of backpacks – internal frame and external frame. Internal frame backpacks have the frame on the inside. External frame backpacks are backpacks that have the frame on the outside.

Internal backpacks fit snug against a persons back which makes them easier to carry than an external backpack. A person will have a natural sense of balance with an internal backpack so they are good for both on or off trail. The smaller size means they carry less, though. They also do not have as many pockets as an external backpack.

With an external backpack the actual pack bag is hung on the frame. They are usually rather large and extend above the head when worn. They usually have a lot of pockets and allow for space between the back and the pack for excellent ventilation. An external frame is suited to carrying heavy loads, but should be used on-trail only. They have a high center of balance so they make falls very easy if a person is on uneven ground or tries to bend down.

Choosing between internal or external frames involves considering a few factors about each and considering your own needs. You need to determine the average load you carry. Consider if you need a lot of pockets or compartments. You should think about your typical backpacking trip and what type of terrain you usually travel on. These things will help you determine which type of backpack is best for you. Generally speaking, external backpacks are good for heavy loads and trips on trails and smooth terrain and internal backpacks are good for smaller loads and for more diverse and rough terrain.

Both types of backpacks come in a range of styles and colors. Both can work wonderful for a backpacker, but finding your best backpack depends on your personal needs. Make sure you try out the backpack and make an informed decision to insure you get the backpack that is best for you and your needs.

Lasers in Cosmetic Surgery

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The use of lasers for cosmetic surgery or any other procedure used to be the stuff of science fiction and James Bond movies, but today their have their place alongside scalpels in cosmetic surgery. While lasers can be used as surgical instruments that cause less bleeding, their most common cosmetic surgery use is in laser resurfacing.

Laser facial resurfacing is a type of cosmetic surgery that is noninvasive, takes only a short amount of time, and can be done on an outpatient basis. The laser is used to vaporize superficial layers of skin on the face in order to treat damaged skin. Cosmetic laser surgery can be used to minimize scars, soften lines and wrinkles, normalize uneven pigmentation, and remove spider veins. Cosmetic surgery can also use a laser to remove benign and precancerous growths.

Surgeons performing cosmetic laser surgery to reduce acne scars first noticed that wrinkles surrounding those scars diminished significantly. A bonus side effect of laser resurfacing seems to be that collagen (the key protein in connective tissues that keep skin smooth) regenerates. The breakdown of collagen due to aging, sun damage, smoking and other factors causes wrinkles, and the formation of new collagen gives the skin back some of its youthful texture.

Laser cosmetic surgery poses fewer risks than invasive surgery, but is not risk-free. Some people lose pigmentation unevenly as a result, and others experience scarring. While serious side effects are rare, laser resurfacing is still cosmetic surgery, and should be considered with the same seriousness one would take when considering other forms of cosmetic surgery.

Study In India: The Advantages of Indian Systems of Global Education

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India is well known for its diversity in languages, cultures, traditions, flora fauna, and geographical disparities. Being one of the oldest civilizations, India is acknowledged for its significant contributions to the knowledge world. Since ancient times it has proved its excellence in the field of academics. India has nourished many talents in fields like Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Astronomy, Management and Finance over years. In ancient times many foreign travelers traveled to India to enrich their knowledge and education. Ancient university of Nalanda has its golden history of enriching scholars from several corners of the globe during the period of Buddha and Mahavir timing 6th century BC. Prudent education system has its roots back to many centuries in the history of India.

The present education system in India is mostly influenced by the British system of education. Under the influence of British colonialism the modern Indian education system has prospered with systematic approach. In the post-independence era there have been significant reforms in the Indian system of education to make the standards distinct and widely adaptable. In 21st century independent India is roaring as an economical superpower with its fast growing economy, industrialization and globalization. There are numerous world-class educational Institutions exist in India. The standards of education are at par with the top-notched institutions of the world. Even there are institutions which are regarded as the most preferred in their respective majors.

In the mean while India has developed holistic system of education catering for the comprehensive development of an individual. From time immortal there exist an essence of emotional bonding between the student and the teacher in Indian system of education. Out of many structures of education provided in India the “Gurukul” system of education has proven its excellence over others. In the recent years this system of education is being adopted by many frontline educational institutions for attaining superior outcomes.

There are numerous vanguard institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Symbiosis International, Xavier’s Institute, TATA Institute are present and excelling in India. They have proven their standards on the global platform. India provides its scholars wide choices for individually preferred field of excellence. With world-class facility campus equipped with latest technologies, Indian educational establishments provide its students life time opportunity of education and curricula development. With affordable and qualitative educational system, Indian educational establishments stand apart from its competitive counterparts.

Technically speaking India offers top of the standards facility to experiment and learn so as to develop the creative side of personality. Indian education system emphasizes on creating personalities rather than preparing workaholic machines. The value education has enriched Indian system of education with every facet of life for joyful learning. This is the rationale behind creating global leaders with marvelous potential. Indian is transforming itself as global hub for business process outsourcing. With its relatively low man-hour overheads it is attracting global investors with fair opportunities for futuristic investments. The international exposure of Indian economy has opened up many doors for foreign direct investments. To meet this demand of technical man-force, educational systems in India are continuously devising strategies to provide best of the quality education to its students.

As the cost of education in India is relatively low as compared to the other developed countries, it has gathered wider acceptance from students around world. The opportunities are plenty and this invites people around the globe to explore their share. The future of Indian education system is focusing more on knowledge economy. This provides abundant resources for exposure and experience for any student to learn through a state of rapid changing economy stage.

The options for study in India are widely diversified with wide presence of broad range of choices for education. You can choose to study on campus, off campus, on distance and correspondence learning modes. The flexibility of education system allows virtually everybody to ascertain their scope of education at any level. Moreover you have a friendly atmosphere while thinking of study in India. India is a country with varied of educational standards spread across its length and breadth. Sovereign Government of India facilitates the intermingling of cross-cultural relationships. With all theses distinct advantages, India is adopted as the numéro une choice of education.

Whether you are an Indian or a foreigner, India has unique opportunities in terms of quality and value added education with state-of-the-art infrastructures and veteran faculties for each one of you. This facilitates the person in you to transpose in to a globally acclaimed citizen.

The Best Small Business To Start? There Is a Secret to It!

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The best small business to start requires no investment, is free to all, does not require you to have a degree in rocket science and has no ceiling on how much you can earn. As an extra incentive, once it is up and running, it goes on autopilot. You can tweak it, build onto it or change it from anywhere in the world.

How sweet is that?

This magical small business is called affiliate marketing. The list of small business ideas that you can create from this concept is as long as you have creativity. Build a business on something you love or something you believe will make lots of money. All the choices are yours. The secret lies in the World Wide Web.

Some examples of small business ideas that have succeeded wildly:

  • A massive website dealing strictly with Windows XP? You bet! Building on something you love is a sure way to success and the best small business to start.
  • Someone built a magical site on radio controlled model airplanes. His site is the most visited in the world. He never leaves home except to have coffee with “the boys from work” when they get a little time off.
  • A couple in rural Montana have a booming business dealing in antique porcelain dolls!
  • In Israel, a young man fed up with teaching built, with the help of his sister, a hugely successful website on children’s birthday party ideas!
  • Germany was the home of a young woman who wanted to see the world. She fell in love with remote central Australia. She built a strong business creating nature tours of Central Australia and now makes her living from home in the land she loves. The best small business to start involves your heart, not Wall Street figures.
  • Tired of the cold and wet? A young couple in Scotland had enough of the dreary weather, built a website dealing in villa rentals in warm, sunny and dry Tuscany, Italy. Oh, by the way, they decided to move there and are raising their babies in the sun.
  • There are thousands more examples of the best small business to start.

The best small business to start has to begin, well, somewhere. Get information on affiliate marketing. Educating yourself is the key. Small business ideas are a dime a dozen. What do you do with them? What are the risks? Who wants to quit a steady job to take a gamble on a small business?

Using the internet, knowing what you are doing and taking your time, you can create and build an excellent business that is not threatened by bad economic times in your spare hours.

Risk is virtually nil. The sky is the limit and you can be the first kid on your block to say goodbye to gridlock traffic and the boss!

In conclusion: The World Wide Web has turned the business world upside down. What you used to need like lots of cash, you don’t need any more. No more quitting jobs and taking big chances. Slow and cautious is the way to success. Be wary of anyone trying to sell you on the idea of quick and easy.