On 9/27 Art Kleiner wrote in LO2962 :
"The new magazine Fast Company has commissioned me to write an article on
the Future of Human Resources in a world of reengineering and learning
organizations". I replied to Art and then decided to add to the public
debate because the HR people are key contributors to spreading the LO,
especially here in Ireland.
For your info., the Institute of Personnel & Development (IPD) issue a
magazine People Management for HR professionals in Ireland and the UK. The
issue received last week features a new series "The Learning
Organisation:from Vision to Action". Articles by John Burgoyne and Bob
Garratt refer to the role of HR in the LO. Burgoyne concludes that 'the HR
function can make the key contribution to moving corporations to meet our
definition :"A LO is an organisation that facilitates the learning of all
its members and continually transforms itself"'. [that 'facilitates
learning' is one UK view of the LO].
Bob Garratt's article goes to great lengths to point out that the concept
of the LO is not new. His final paragraph refers to the LO as "the biggest
challenge for people management professionals. Making the LO work will
help them break out of the "wiping both ends" and conflict-avoiding
stereotype. It will reposition them powerfully in relation to line
managers and directors, and so add a new chapter in the long evolution of
organisational learning." END.
Another [US ?] Mental Model of the LO is aligned with what George Roth
described recently: "it's a process of collectively deciding what an
organisation wants to become, and then developing a process to work toward
that "becoming"".
The Irish HR professionals (IPD Branch) are currently planning a one-day
LO (& Re-engineering) Seminar, early in 1996, where they will target CEOs.
This follows an excellent presentation by Mike Goodman of Innovation
Associates to the IPD Annual Conference (Irish Branch) on the LO last May.
That pro-active leadership role is what will help HR professionals play a
part in the LO opportunity. IMHO, they are well positioned to help CEOs
understand the new human charter. [One leading Training & Development
professional recently remarked to me that it will take a new generation of
Chief Executives to make the change. I trust we can find ways to help more
of this generation].
Once upon a time I was a HR Manager for General Electric, so I appreciate
the opportunity the LO represents. Best Regards,
-- Joe O'Keeffe 100307.3672@compuserve.com "In dreams begins responsibility" Strategic Resources Ltd., W.B.Yeats Robin Hill Ave., College Road, Cork, Ireland. Ph/fax 353-21-342891