What does it take for HR to assume and maintain a strategic role within businesses? How do HR leaders need to change in order to prove their ability and value in driving organisations forward, whether through new initiatives or across times when their companies must adapt and change? These questions were thoroughly examined and explored in Strategy to Reality: Can HR be a Business Leading Function? an Insights Session from The HR World, Sponsored by HR and payroll providers Ciphr.

The session drew from the experience and thoughts of three HR professional, each of whom have risen to the top of their organisations, each of whom have led significant change for the businesses where they’ve worked.

Kevin Green, Chief People Officer, First Bus and formerly part of the leadership team that turned around the fortunes of Royal Mail, explained how to link HR targets to wider business requirements, bringing the focus away from activity and to output instead. Carly Jenner, Senior Vice President, Legal & People at Apeel Sciences highlighted how important it is for HR professionals who want to contribute to the business agenda to pick up as much experience as they can while Claire Hawes, Ciphr’s own Chief Operating Officer and former CPO emphasised the challenge that can come with shifting the focus as HR professionals take on more leading roles.

The session produced many hints, tips, ideas and strategies for advancing the profile of HR professionals and HR more generally. It is clear that technology and AI currently offers a chance for HR to prove their worth in organisations, but the function can extend its influence and value in other ways, linking the people agenda to business aims such as increased productivity, lower costs and so on.

This Insight Session is a must-watch for any HR professional whether they’re looking to increase their game or intending to maintain the influence and contribution they already make. It’s clearly not a simple or easy process, but handled the right way, making HR a more strategic function can be game changing for everyone.