Lesson 1

Thanks to you all for enrolling in this introduction to Human Resource Management. I am committed to providing you with an interesting and thought provoking course that you will be able to use in whatever your chosen profession may be.

Let's get a few administrative things out of the way first.

1. It is important that you read the syllabus carefully understanding that your active participation ensures that you will receive the most out of this course.
2. I must receive your proctor information by the end of the second week of class! If I do not, you will have to arrange to take your exams on the Barstow College campus.
3. Be sure to purchase the textbook and read the chapters as they are assigned since you will be tested on information that may not included in my on-line lessons.
4. I encourage you to share your learned thoughts in the discussion posts so that we can learn from each other. After all, you are spending your money and in this economy it's best to get the most "bang from your bucks!"
5. I am available during my office hours if you need to address any questions or concerns.

HR Introduction

"It's all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends and family."
Phillip Green - British Billionaire Businessman

The origins of Human Resource Management (HRM) can be found sprinkled throughout management literature from the 1970s; however, modern views began to emerge in the early 1980s. For the new millennium, researchers have radically transformed their analysis of "human capital" theory to adjust to a new economic environment. HRM professionals are not simply concerned with assigning employee benefit packages and solving disputes, modern HR practices also include 21st century issues such as the importance of intellectual capital (employee knowledge); the influence of internal and external stakeholders; and the flow and frequency of information as it travels inside and outside an organization (globally).

To facilitate contemporary issues, HRM systems are being introduced that appreciate the theory that "the enterprise is the people!" This theory is built on the concepts which recognize that businesses are staffed by people, can not exist without people, that people are the most vital of all resources, and the individual's potential must be managed and maximized within the objectives of the company. To do so effectively, HRM managers must focus is on 5 personnel activities: staffing, retention, development, adjustment, and managing change. The combination of these activities comprises a HRM system and will be discussed in detail as we progress through the course. It is the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's HRM system that is essential in determining an organization's ability to compete in today's global market.

Begin your study for this course by reading Chapters 1, 2, and 3 and becoming familiar with the key terms for each of these chapters. You will be responding to a discussion question related to these chapters in Week 2. Also, take a look at links to the video clips, course syllabus and supplemental materials provided below. These links will be provided with each lesson and are designed to help you obtain a better understanding of the material in your text.

Video Clips

Global Competition (:40 sec)

Increased Teamwork and Worker Participation (1:45 min)

On the Road to Leadership (:46 sec)

Supplemental Materials

What is Human Resource Management?

Best Practices in Talent Management White Papers

MGMT 3 HRM Syllabus

Take care!

Discussion Board Question

Complete the following:

First Posting (5 points) must contain:

1. A self introduction; tell us your first name, the state in which you live, and if you are a new or returning Barstow College student.
    
2. As a Human Resource professional, you will need to establish yourself as a leader, not simply a manager of people. Provide a description of a characteristic that you believe you possess that makes you a good leader and explain how this quality has been beneficial. Remember, if you are not currently working in the HR profession, you can use an example of other situations (i.e. at home, in a management position) that required this leadership quality.

Second Posting (5 points) - Response to classmate

Respond to one other student in the class that has a quality that you believe you would work well with and why. Support you post with a specific example of how you have demonstrated your ability to work well with others who display the characteristic you identified in a work environment.