HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE - Fichier PDF

608 ❚ Human resource developmentrequirements should also be noted. For example, these might include the developmentof a high performance culture, productivity improvements, the innovation andlaunch of new products or services, achieving better levels of service delivery tocustomers, or the extended use of IT or other forms of technology. Any proposedlearning and training interventions should specify how they would contribute to theachievement of these strategic goals.A cost/benefit analysis is required that compares the benefits, expressed in quantifiedterms as far as possible, which will result from the learning activity. The businesscase has to convince management that there will be an acceptable return on theinvestment (ROI) in learning and training programmes. It can be difficult to producerealistic figures, although the attempt is worth making with the help of financespecialists. The case for investing in learning and development can refer to any of thefollowing potential benefits:●●●●●●●●●●improve individual, team and corporate performance in terms of output, quality,speed and overall productivity;attract high-quality employees by offering them learning and developmentopportunities, increasing their levels of competence and enhancing their skills,thus enabling them to obtain more job satisfaction, to gain higher rewards and toprogress within the organization;provide additional non-financial rewards (growth and career opportunities) aspart of a total reward policy (see Chapter 42);improve operational flexibility by extending the range of skills possessed byemployees (multiskilling);increase the commitment of employees by encouraging them to identify with themission and objectives of the organization;help to manage change by increasing understanding of the reasons for changeand providing people with the knowledge and skills they need to adjust to newsituations;provide line managers with the skills required to manage and develop theirpeople;help to develop a positive culture in the organization: one, for example, which isoriented towards performance improvement;provide higher levels of service to customers;minimize learning costs (reduce the length of learning curves).