The Knowledge Workforce and the Challenge for HR Dr Leanne Whicker Senior Consultant Knowledge Management BDO Kendalls Ph: (07)

Characteristics of Knowledge Era Knowledge is valuable to organisations Relationships are more complex Time span of discretion Information and communication technology

Characteristics of Knowledge Workers Strong conceptual thinkers Apply concepts to their own context Passionate, curious about learning Value formal education, but see it as less important than experience Test and refine their capabilities Value relationships and collaboration

The Challenge for HR For HR to play a central role in the acquisition, development, application, and retention of expertise for organisational renewal and sustained competitive advantage.

Recruitment and Selection Shift from: Seeking and selecting employees to: Identifying, attracting and supplying high calibre talent to the organisation

Training and Development Shift from: Developing individuals’ skills and competencies to: Developing individual and organisational capability

Workforce Planning & Resourcing Shift from: Addressing current and short term skill needs, by organisational unit to: Forecasting the knowledge requirements for the whole organisation, in the medium and long-term

Performance Management Shift from: Monitoring and modifying performance to: Knowledge and skill retention

Renewal through HR Shift mindset from Operational to Strategic focus More than re-labeling ‘Human Resources’ View HR functions through a ‘knowledge lens’ HR practitioners to develop as Knowledge Workers As a profession, HRM needs to focus and act on global trends

Renewal through HR HR to be understood as knowledge brokers HR strategy to be knowledge-focused Drive KM strategy development Analyse the strategic knowledge domains in the organisation

Questions?