Published Articles

November/December 2014

  • Focusing on People Skills

    By Rowan O’Grady

    The world of work is changing. Technology has eroded borders and given small and medium sized companies a chance to punch above their weight.

  • Interview with an HR Hero: Jennifer Laidlaw, MA, SHRP

    Byline Lisa Gordon

    Jennifer Laidlaw believes that success in human resources is a matter of perspective. She’s talking about the kind of perspective gained from her successful 17-year career in the field, during which she accumulated a wide range of experiences from both private and public sector business roles.

  • Sustainable Coverage

    By Nolan Friesen

    HR professionals know that employees are a company’s most important asset, and group benefits programs are an important factor in attracting and retaining top talent.

  • The Performance Management Process

    By Dr. David S. Cohen

    Is the traditional performance review process worthwhile?

  • Moving to Mobility

    By Nicole Summers

    It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since the world’s first “smart phone” was released. Back in 1994, the “Simon” offered a touch screen and new “apps” including a calendar, a calculator, a notepad and even fax connectivity.

  • Ahead of the Rest

    By John Izzo

    Herb Kelleher, former CEO of Southwest Airlines, once said (with more colour), “Corporate culture is hard to define, but without it, you ain’t got nothing.”

  • Stumbling to the Top: Why do Promoted Executives Fail?

    By Debra Hughes, MBA, Ph.D.

    With their inside viewpoint, promoted leaders should have an easier time integrating into new positions than external hires, right? Actually, the facts might surprise you.

  • Happiness at Work: What's a Leader to do about it?

    By Vanessa Judelman

    A senior executive who is struggling at work, David, constantly feels overwhelmed and overworked. He has been in a leadership role in his company for 15 years and used to love coming to work every day. Now, David dreads Monday morning.

  • Best Practices for Creating Development Plans

    By Leann Schneider, M.A. and Tim Jackson, Ph.D.

    Answer the following question honestly: do you think that development plans are useful? Some of you probably think that they are, and they should be if they’re done right.

  • Engagement: A Survey is the First Step

    By Melissa Campeau

    When Douglas Conant took on the role of CEO at Campbell Soup Co. in 2001, the company was failing on virtually all fronts. They’d lost half their market value in just one year and takeover rumours were flying.

  • The Importance of a Standardized Approach

    By Kelly VanBuskirk

    Every once in a while, a Canadian employment law case causes employers to rethink their management practices. 

  • Leadership Matters - Rethinking the CHRO

    By Philip Wilson, CHRP, SHRP.

    Earlier this year, Ram Charan, business thinker and author (and 2008 HRPA Annual Conference keynote speaker), provoked controversy in a Harvard Business Review opinion piece by suggesting that the chief human resources officer (CHRO) position should be scuttled.