Managing human capital on a shoestring budget?
The HR department often gets short changed when budget dollars are being distributed for the year (which is a problem we'll tackle in another post). Even if you are lucky enough to work in a well funded department, having a few no-cost resources in your back pocket will free up dollars for other projects.
Below are my 5 favorite, free HR resources; there is something in here for people operations professionals regardless of what project(s) you are tackling currently. You can find addtional Talent Alchemists freebies here.
No-cost Tools for Human Capital Leaders
- Your Benefit Broker: Your benefit broker has a vested interest in your success and the success (and retention) of your employees. Most brokers have a wealth of resources at their fingertips to help an HR leader, including templated newsletters, wellness resources, leadership development speakers, M&A specialists, and HRIS liaisons, to name a few. Pick up the phone today and ask your benefit broker today how they can assist you with projects on your plate. If your broker shrugs you off, it is time to find a better partner.
- Traction Tools: If you read the post about my favorite HR books, you know my love for Traction by Gino Wickman. The Traction team has an accompanying website with a myriad tools recommended from the book. I am a firm believer a leader without a managerial system is destined for failure. These tools can set you on the right path for system success. Check them out here.
- LeanIn.org: I have mixed feelings about Sandberg's book, Lean In. I do not have mixed feelings about the website which helps companies build a more inclusive, gender-equitable work place. You'll find ways to fight bias, free moderator training, metrics and charts for executive presentations. Set aside an hour to dig into this rich DEI toolbox. You will undoubtedly find something you can use for your organization.
- StandOut strength assessment by Marcus Buckingham: I can't believe this tool is complimentary; I feel like I'm getting away with something when I use it with employees. In a nutshell, this is a 34 question assessment that reveals your top two strength "styles" (out of a possible 9 options). There is a lengthy report that comes with the results to explain these styles. I like to use this tool for either weekly one-on-one meetings with employees, or, better yet, as a fun team building activity to determine if people agree/disagree with results and why or why not.
- Your local library. How many of you use your local library for business resources? I'm willing to bet only a tiny percentage of readers have a library card. There are thousands upon thousands of books on HCM, leadership, corporate operations, etc; there is absolutely no reason for you to own all of these works. I challenge you to set a goal of reading one business book per month and use your local library to source your next read.
Your favorite freebies?
What are some of your favorite free HR tools? Please share in the comments below.
