Common HR Challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises
The recent trends show that human resource management (HRM) functions, procedures and practices are increasingly important, considering the impact of the knowledge-based economy.
Whether it is a small or medium enterprise, human resource constitutes an important area of study.
The production process of goods and services is guaranteed by efficient and careful human resource management.
It creates a satisfactory level of living in society. Human Resources can play an important role in realizing the objectives of the enterprise as an integral source.
Effective and efficient Human Resource Management is the key to a successful organization.
The Purpose of HR Management
- Strategic planning activities
- Recruiting employees
- Tracking and Managing human resource trends
- Coaching and counselling employees
- Connecting employees with the organization
- Conflict management and resolution of employees
- Performance evaluation of employees
- Acting as a mentor for the employees
Strategic initiatives that can boost employee retention
Retention of Employees is a critical issue for companies to compete for talent in a tight economy.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the payoff organizations that focus on employee retention are well worth the time and investment.
Here are some strategies for increasing retention rates the organization should start, at the very beginning of the recruitment process:
- Recognizing retention starts with recruitment
- On-boarding and orientation
- Mentorship programs
- Employee Compensation
- Perks and Benefits to employees
- Communication ease
- Continuous feedback on performances
- Training and development
- Recognition and reward systems
- Work-life balance
- Effective change management
- An emphasis on teamwork
- Flexible work arrangements
- Acknowledgement of milestones, big and small
HR and SMEs (Common HR Challenges)
The Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) sector significantly strengthens the country’s economic progress and international standing.
Millions of jobs, the promotion of industrial development in rural areas, and the production of a diverse variety of products with limited capital investments are regulated and instrumented through the working of this sector.
The Ministry of SMEs estimated that 40% of manufacturing output, over 8% of the national GDP and much more job opportunities both in rural and urban parts of the country are contributed by SMEs.
The survey conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industries states that 20% of medium and 80% of small-sized businesses have no HR department.
It is shocking as, without a proper HR functioning department, the implementation of various people-related policies and process is difficult.
HR is a key to digitising an organization through various procedural means.
Organizations should develop a visionary mindset so that the importance of strategy and the process of managing human capital can be realized.
Tackling Common HR Problems Faced in SMEs
Here are some ways of tackling the most common HR Problems in SMEs:
- Implementation of leadership development programs
- Regular staff meetings and communication
- Workforce training and development
- Adapting to Innovation
- System of checks and reward
- Understanding benefits
- Recruiting talented employees
- Retaining talented employees
- Workplace diversity
HR Management challenges for SMEs
Along with cash flow, generating new business and marketing, there is a raft of challenges an HR can face in a small and medium enterprise (SME).
These are some customary HR challenges that a small and medium business owner faces:
- Management of Employee Performance and Development
- Line Managers assuming the role of HR with limited HR knowledge and training
- Lack of resources and time to deal with any real staff issues to put effective policies in place
- Retention and Training
- Owners do not acknowledge the need for HR
- Long term sickness
- Meeting employment law regulations with handbooks, contracts, policies and procedures
- Aligning Values
Despite the difficulties and problems faced by modern HR, small employers have options to overcome them.
Outsourcing all or some HR problems is a quick and popular solution for business leaders wanting to focus on business growth.
The important role of HR managers in SMEs can never be denied. As SMEs continue to grow, the need to recognize and address the challenges so that SMEs and HR can work together to implement various desirable changes in the enterprise.
