As we near the end of another wonderful National Human Resource Month, I am reminded of the man who, I’d argue, is one of the most famous Human Resource Managers in the history of television – The Office’s Toby Flenderson. If you’re familiar with Toby, you recognize his sound judgment and good intentions. On one occasion, Michael Scott, the Branch Manager and self-declared nemesis of Toby, invites a Boy Scouts troop to the Casino Night party. Toby justifiably says,
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- Actually, I didn’t think it was appropriate to invite children since it’s, uh, you know…there’s gambling and alcohol…and it’s in our dangerous warehouse…it’s a school night, and you know, uh… Hooters is catering. You know, is that not—is that enough? Should I keep going?
- Here’s how things work here: My job is to make the office fun. Your job is to make the office lame, and we have an eternal struggle, you and I, and only one of us can be the winner. Spoiler alert, I’m going to win. – Michael Scott
- I believe that the HR department is a breeding ground for monsters. – Michael Scott
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Actually, I didn’t think it was appropriate to invite children since it’s, uh, you know…there’s gambling and alcohol…and it’s in our dangerous warehouse…it’s a school night, and you know, uh… Hooters is catering. You know, is that not—is that enough? Should I keep going?
As a result of this and many other instances of Toby enforcing company policies and thereby thwarting the pandemonium, Michael finds no value in anything Toby says or does. Michael’s frequent inappropriate behaviors may seem farfetched to many of you, but if you’ve worked in HR, they are tame. Michael represents a collection of leaders who lack commonsense, the ability to read basic social cues, and appreciation for the value HR can bring to an organization. So how do HR professionals earn respect and avoid being treated like Toby?
Here’s how things work here: My job is to make the office fun. Your job is to make the office lame, and we have an eternal struggle, you and I, and only one of us can be the winner. Spoiler alert, I’m going to win. – Michael Scott
In the HR world, we incessantly preach the need to “be strategic,” “get a seat at the table,” and be part of the “C-Suite.” These catchphrases, while important, are overused and have lost their meaning. We should really be assessing the threats that affect our HR departments. If we did, we would be in a position to create preemptive plans that both overcome the hazards and demonstrate the competitive advantages we provide to the organization.
To identify these potential threats, prioritize their impact, and develop a game plan to compete, I rely on the book Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. In it, economist Michael Porter presents a framework to determine the competitive intensity and profitability of a market. Called the Five Forces Analysis, this strategy model is widely utilized amongst business leaders. It is time for HR to use it, as well.
I believe that the HR department is a breeding ground for monsters. – Michael Scott
To implement the Five Forces, let’s begin by defining them:
The threat of substitute products. When an alternative product or service is available, there is a greater chance of people switching.
The threat of the entry of new competitors. This involves entities who have not previously competed with you. It can be brand new competition or an existing one that begins to compete through a shift in business strategy.
The intensity of competitive rivalry. Different opponets use differnet tactics. Aggressiveness, available resources, the number of competitors, and economies of scale should all be considered.
The bargaining power of customers. Such factors as the degree of dependency on you and your services, the uniqueness of your offerings, and the availability of substitute products determine customers’ ability to haggle.
The bargaining power of suppliers. Like customers, suppliers and vendors can affect the intensity of competition through their ability to control prices and the quality of services they supply.
One you understand each Force, it is time to identify the threats and bargaining powers that surround you. For HR, we tend not to think in terms of competing outside forces; however, just because we’ve never thought of it before, that does not mean they do not exist. The chart below shows many of the parties that are actively competing with you whether you like it or not.
Now that you are familiar with the outside forces affecting your department, your staff, and your organization, it is up to you to decide how you want to handle it. Do you want to compete with enhanced/additional services, increased quality, profit building, and/or cost reductions, or are you going to concede without a fight? Your answer will determine whether you deserve that coveted “seat at the table.”
Our HR idol Toby accepted his low-level role. He took the abuse and reciprocated with minimal effort. I prefer to think of National Human Resource Month as a time to remind myself why I enjoy what I do and how me and my team can be better. Let’s win over the Michael Scotts and truly be strategic.
