HR is not just fixing salaries

For a company to achieve success and high-level performance, managers need to take effective steps to motivate and engage their employees, says a UK-based HR and leadership training expert.
“Companies should engage and listen to their employees’ concerns while appreciating their contributions. If companies do not discuss difficult situations affecting their employees transparently, this would increase their worries and naturally affect their productivity,” said Junaid Ahmed of Murabbi Consulting. “Employees should be engaged and the company should listen to their grievances.”
Speaking to Arab News, Ahmed emphasized the importance of human resource and training & development, saying it represents the backbone of any organization and is the secret of its success. “HR development will have a direct impact on any organization as it will help individuals contribute beyond their technical remit,” he said. For example, if we train an IT expert in enhancing his creativity, teamwork, pro-activeness and communications skills, he will be able to contribute beyond his capacity and skills. His output will be greater and it will have a direct impact on the organization.
“Some managers have misunderstood HR as they thought it consists only of recruitment, fixing salary and providing some managerial assistance. HR can play a strategic role by putting right people in the right place,” Ahmed said. During recession organizations have a tendency to cut training budgets believing training would not have a direct impact on organizational output or sales. “During difficult times, if you can invest in your manpower, you will have a unique edge over your competitors.”
HR brings right talent to the organization and keeps its workers motivated. It also makes sure that the organizational values such as excellence, integrity and justice are embedded in staff members. Linking an individual’s goals with those of the organization is another major challenge for HR, the expert said.
Ahmed, who came to Jeddah for conducting leadership development programs for organizations such as Islamic Development Bank and National Commercial Bank, stressed the need to provide training to all staff members from top to bottom.
“It will give them the impression that they are someone valuable in the institution and their newly energized talents and potentials would boost the company’s performance and sales.”
According to Ahmed, there are many aspects other than salary that motivate workers. “Recent studies have proved that it is not salary that motivates an employee. Everything from having good working atmosphere, good relationships and feeling a sense of fulfillment in workplace too are critical elements for motivation,” he added.
After spending nine hours at work, if an employee does not feel fulfilled then the salary will not make much difference in motivation and performance. “Employees should get a sense of achievement and recognition. Managers should make them feel valued and respected and their developmental needs are to be taken care of.” A human being has a natural tendency to develop and grow and the organization should facilitate that growth, he pointed out.
Asked about his advice to newly graduated Saudi and other job seekers, Ahmed said they should look for jobs where they feel comfortable and they could make a contribution. After years of work in a company, people should be able to find that you have left a mark. “You should also become a role model for other young Saudis and contribute to the overall productivity of the country.”
Saudis should also look for jobs in companies that uphold their values and are in line with their interests in order to become more passionate in their work. “Don’t underestimate your capabilities and have high ambitions and high goals. We should unleash our potentials and work hard to achieve our goals. There are great people who have achieved great things. They are also human beings like us. They had a vision and energy. So, have a great vision and goal,” Ahmed told Saudi graduates.
When asked about the impact of SR 2,000 unemployment allowance, he said Saudi job seekers should not be satisfied with job allowance whatever the amount, they should work hard to brighten their future. “Time is life. Use your time for something productive. You can develop your skills such as communication skills and inter personal skills only through working.”
Ahmed added: “We tell emerging leaders that make sure you have a goal in life. Those goals are the ones that wake you up every morning and encourage you to do things that make a difference in society. We Muslims should be productive individuals and we should not waste our time,” he added.