Elevated HR Solutions: The "Unexpected" HR Approach

When Elevated HR Solutions first came into existence, we really wanted to do HR differently.  That's obviously easier said than done.  But in all reality, we were embarrassed to say we were even in HR and that's an issue.  How can we offer a solution to companies if we don't even like what we do?

Dan and Chip Heath, authors of "Made to Stick" say that in order to make an idea stick, you have offer up the unexpected but stay away from the gimmicks.  In saying "We take HR out of the business," we aren't saying that you don't need an HR department.  In fact, we're quite supportive of them (dependent on size of the business that is!)  But traditional HR thinking and strategies need to go.

Does HR need a place at the executive table? Nope - not even maybe.  Screeeeeeech. (That's a record player stopping suddenly.)

Manager's just need to own management. And HR can be there to support them in their quest to becoming great managers.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - people do not stay in organizations nor are they attracted to organizations because of good HR teams. They stay and are attracted because of good management.  Period.

Taking "Made to Stick" and using the principle of "unexpectedness" into perspective, EHR regularly tries to deliver results from a completely different methodology.  For example, while we have access to "Best Practices" we often ask "Why do want Best Practices?"  We try to figure out the root of the problem to get to a solution.  Sure that sounds familiar and probably like every other organization out there.  But in this example, rather than just trying to keep up with the Jones', we customize ideas that fit the company to propel the company past the Jones' so you don't need to worry about keeping up.

Now that's got to be unexpected, right?  We sure hope so anyway!

We may not be Nordies from Nordstrom's wrapping up a Macy's gift to show how above and beyond they go from a customer service perspective (this makes sense if you read the book), but we certainly aren't your typical HR people - so if your HR team needs some help (new ideas etc.), we are there. And if your company needs some  support because they just aren't big enough for an HR department - we've got solutions that fit (and they aren't one-size fits all!)