Peter Streng:RUBIQ - HR Post Sona And In The New Political Landscape2018-04-25 Peter Streng, Founder and Director RUBIQ
When I wrote part one of this article (published in the previous edition of KZN Business Sense - Vol.4 No.1) - I was, like most South Africans caught up in the jubilation of Ramaphoria, (hopefully not naively). But, alas, as some predicted, the national mood of optimism could and would soon fade into Ramaphobia. The jury is still out in this regard. For the purposes of this debate, however, I am going to be the eternal optimist and assume that the 'New Dawn' has well and truly birthed and will grow and mature in the months and years to come. As business leaders and the human resources (HR) fraternity, we must press on in this present reality, regardless. I mentioned that in this edition I would address how business and HR could positively and decisively respond to the challenges of inequality, unemployment and poverty and that I would be exact as to how I see HR's specific role in the promised new era and dispensation. In President Ramaphosa's SONA address, he announced a number of initiatives to steer SA Inc. in the right economic direction. These initiatives were roundly applauded by the President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Musa Makhunga, in an article published in the previous edition of the KZN Business Sense. The initiatives, in which business and HR could play a meaningful role, are inter alia: 1. Presidential Advisory Council Although the various employer bodies will automatically be invited to serve on the proposed Presidential Advisory Council, business leaders should embrace and accept the invitations, but on their own terms; boldly demand concessions as equal partners! If Government wants the help of the private sector, then they should respect the private sector as the only (private) revenue producing sector, without whom there is no prosperous state. Hence, Government needs to come to the party as regards policy certainty conducive to economic growth, take corruption and state capture head-on, address the imminent collapse of some state owned enterprises (SoEs), prevent public sector implosions (service delivery), implement empowering frameworks, etc. 2. National Summits and Initiatives Likewise, with vim and vigour, business leaders and the HR practitioners must become actively involved with real, honest intent in the proposed Jobs Summit, Investment Conference, Youth Employment Service initiative and other government initiatives, but not as co-opted parties, but, as said, equal partners. 3. Localisation Programme To stimulate the economy, Government intends to make strategic use of incentives and other measures and launch a localisation programme for products designated for local manufacturing, e.g. clothing, furniture, water meters, etc. These are huge green-field investment and job-creation opportunities going a-begging. These investment opportunities ought to be pursued with purpose, not for the sake of potential incentives only, but to grow the economic pie to fund the other proposed SONA initiatives. These include supporting black industrialists, infrastructure development, investment in SMMEs and township enterprises, empowering the digital industrial economy (the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution), National Health Initiative (NHI), free higher education and so on. Here is where HR can come into its own by not duplicating the out-dated, conservative and un-empowering existing HR models so pervasive in South Africa today. HR professionals should apply innovative, technology-driven best practices to manage HR in these start-ups. 4. Unashamedly Ethical Conduct business and HR policies and procedures unashamedly ethically to prevent further debacles. Emulate the heroes and heroines who testified before the recent various parliamentary committees. Here's your chance, HR professionals! Speak out at Manco, Exco and/or board meetings. Stand-up for what is right! Be the devil's advocate, be the soul and conscience of your organisation! If you don't, you should not be in HR! While obviously not exhaustive, the above are a few specific areas in which HR can impact their worlds post-SONA. T: +27 (0) 31 767 0608 C: +27 (0) 76 413 4575 peter@rubiq.co.za www.rubiq.co.za |
Peter Streng:RUBIQ - HR Post Sona And In The New Political Landscape
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