Now more than ever, HR leaders realise the need to be innovative in order to effectively contribute to the wider business. However, ensuring that HR has the same goals as the business isn't as straightforward as it may seem and getting approval for innovative projects can be difficult, as well as time consuming.

Aligning your HR strategy with that of the business puts HR in a much better position to ensure that it is seen not only as a necessary function of the business, but as an innovative and vital part of the future of the company.

Aligning HR's strategy with that of the business doesn't have to be difficult. We've put together a clear plan to help you get started.

1. Find out what the business' goals are

In order to be able to align HR's strategy with that of the business, HR needs to understand what the business goals are. Often it's as simple as asking the CEO, CFO or other business leader what the focus for that year or quarter is. Without knowing what the business sees for the future of the organisation, HR won't be able to apply a strategy to achieve those goals.

2. Create steps that work toward business goals

Once you understand what the goals of the business are, you can break them down into actionable steps that HR can align with. For example, if the business goal is to cut costs, HR can plan to implement an online learning platform to reduce training costs. Break the plan into further actionable steps that help focus the HR team. By setting out a clear plan for each step, along with mini goals, HR can contribute to achieving the wider business goal.

3. Invest in your people

Now that you have clear goals and a clear plan of action, give your team the space to achieve those goals. Provide support and have regular updates to ensure that everyone is staying on track.

4. Consider automated solutions to help reach those goals

It's no secret that HR spends a large portion of their time on admin processes. While not only tedious, the time spent on admin could be better spent on adding strategic value to the business. HR automation software can drastically reduce the amount of HR admin time, in some cases by up to 90%. With that extra time and energy, HR can focus on the goals at hand while at the same time being free to invest more time into engaging with employees.

5. Measure the success of project

Many companies forget to measure their goals once they've set them. This is the most important step! By measuring your goals, you can see the progress you are making and allow time for adjustments if you aren't seeing the desired results. This is especially true for new initiatives that haven't been tried and tested yet. No one wants to waste time and resources on a project that is failing to achieve the desired goals. Make sure you have clear KPIs against the goals you have set and measure those metrics to ensure you are on the right path to having a successfully aligned HR strategy.

While at first it may seem overwhelming to successfully align HR's internal goals and those of the wider business, doing so is an important step in showing that HR can be innovative and proactive in contributing to the success of the organisation.

About the Author 

Jessica Hendrix is the Digital Marketing Executive for ELMO Talent Management Software.