People management skills – A must for every Manager

HR now has the same status and recognition of any other function within a company and is represented at the board level in many organisations in Sri Lanka. CEOs have identified and valued the contribution of HR as the driving force of their businesses.

The importance of Human Resource Management to reap the benefits of efficiency, productivity and increased profitability is highlighted in many forums and management books by professionals and authors. Every manager is a HR Manager in today’s context. Any line manager has to manage people on a day-to-day basis, motivate & engage them and provide the necessary training and guidance to achieve the desired operational performance. A Manager is responsible for planning, directing and monitoring the work of a group of individuals and taking apt corrective action when necessary.

The Association of Human Resources Professionals (HRP) has also recognised the importance of People Management at all levels across the company and the Membership of HRP is now open to non-HR Professionals as Affiliate Members.

Some of the benefits enjoyed by members include the following.

n HRP serves as a source of information for members to resolve HR related problems and issues.

n Members meet HR Professionals during workshops and other events organised by HRP and share their knowledge, experience and ideas.

n Members have the privilege of using the Membership Category title after the name such as the MHRP, AHRP, etc. The Fellow and Professional Members have voting rights and can hold any position in the Executive Committee.

n Members of HRP can join subcommittees of HRP based on their interest and participate in regular activities. These subcommittees are Professional Development, the Knowledge Sharing & Educational Programmes Committee, Membership Development Committee, Marketing Communications Committee and the CSR Committee.

n Members can participate in either HRM Awards activities or in the HRP Secretariat.

n Career guidance counseling will benefit Members as well as students & undergraduates who are non-HRP members. School-leavers, students and undergraduates can also obtain necessary advice relating to a career in HR.

n HRP Members are entitled to exclusive benefits / discounts offered by partner companies in the hotels & leisure, travel, health care, education, fashion and jewellery sectors.

n Members can write articles / research papers etc and the HRP will publish same in the newspapers and the web with the name and photograph of the Member. The name of the Member will appear in the Membership Directory which is available on our website.

HRP is an established association dedicated to serving the Human Resource Professionals of Sri Lanka by providing a platform on which they can meet, fraternize and exchange ideas. HRP was established in the year 2000 and completed 10 years of existence in 2010. The 10th year anniversary was celebrated on 25th August 2011 with a learning conference based on the theme “Managing the Multi-generational Workforce” which was conducted by Mr. G. Ravindra, CEO – SHRM India, followed by a panel discussion and a gala cocktail at Waters Edge, Capital City. HRP has evolved into one of the leading professional associations in Sri Lanka within a short period of 10 years.

HRP was the first to conceive the idea of the HRM Awards in 2002 and has organized the event four times since then.  Taking a giant leap forward in the year 2007, the Association organized the ‘HRM Awards 2007 – Super 10’ in collaboration with Aon Hewitt (formerly known as Hewitt Associates), India. Aon Hewitt is the world’s largest Human Resources consulting group and brings with them their vast experience and expertise as the content partner of the Awards. The biennial HRM Awards is the flagship event organized by the Association to promote and reward exemplary and innovative HR Best Practices in the private and public sectors. Arrangements are underway for the HRM Awards 2012 to be held on 31st July 2012 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. A Learning Conference where renowned speakers from across the globe gathered together on one platform, was also organized on 18th May 2012 at Waters Edge, Capital City to coincide with the HRM Awards event process.

Regular seminars, workshops, knowledge sharing sessions and fellowship events are also organised by the Association as part of its development and networking strategy. These forums add value not only to HR Professionals but also to Business Leaders, and helps them manage and steer their businesses to achieve corporate objectives. HRP works towards the betterment of the profession, the corporate world and the nation at large. The Association also promotes understanding, cooperation and friendship with Human Resource Organizations within and outside Sri Lanka. Its partnership with SHRM India and continued relationship with Hewitt Associates India has brought immense benefits to the Association and its members as well.  As one of its CSR activities, HRP conducts a comprehensive employability skills programme for Science undergraduates in the University of Colombo. This programme is held every year and the Association trains more than 250 undergraduates in every batch.

The Vision of HRP is “To bring HR to the Forefront”. Its mission is to “Facilitate and support HR Management and Development concepts and strategies to achieve business excellence; while simultaneously providing an opportunity for HR professionals to Network and enhance their professional capabilities, which will in turn enable them to raise funding for projects, manage administrative activities and establish good lines of communication with its membership”. The members of HRP are Human Resource professionals from some of the country’s largest organizations who have a keen interest in the field of HR. There are five membership categories; namely Fellow Member, Professional Member, Associate Member, Affiliate Member and Honorary Member.

News and events of HRP are regularly updated on the website and the HRP social media. These social media include Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Those who wish to become a HRP Member should forward a duly completed Membership Application Form complete with CV and other supporting documents. The Application Form is available on the website and the completed Form can be emailed, posted or delivered to the HRP Office in Narahenpita (located near the Oasis Hospital). Once the membership is ratified at the Executive Committee Meeting, a letter will be sent to the applicant notifying them of the enrollment.

HRP also encourages students and undergraduates following a professional or bachelor’s degree in HR to join the Association. HRP provides an arena for networking, knowledge sharing and the exchange of ideas with a view to establishing HRM as a dominant force in the business sector. This will undoubtedly be a value addition to anyone hoping to pursue a career in HR. Moreover, it will enable them to meet HR Professionals and gain practical and industrial knowledge as well as an insight into the latest trends in people management. Initially enrolled as Affiliate Members, they will be able to apply for Associate Membership upon completion of their course of study / degree.

Additional information can be obtained through the HRP Office (Tel: 011-5667575 / Email: [email protected]) and the HRP website www.hrp.lk. The HRP Office is located at 18/4, Evergreen Park Road (off Dabare Mawatha), Narahenpita, Colombo 05 (adjoining the Oasis Hospital entrance).