It looks like you've stumbled upon a page meant to be read by our code instead of viewed directly. You're probably looking for this page.
Practical Thoughts on Human Resources Management
Practical Thoughts on Human Resources Management is an enlightened and stimulating collection that provides a clear understanding of the importance of human resources.
S. Cihangir Kavuncu’s Practical Thoughts on Human Resources Management is a collection of astute observations about various aspects of recruiting, managing, and motivating employees from the perspective of a human resources professional.
Unusually composed, the book compiles the author’s tweets, translated into English and edited for an international audience. The content is absorbing, capturing the essence of a particular perspective on human resources—one that is based on considerable experience.
The book takes a broad view of human resources, arguing that “a human resources manager must think like a general manager” and be aware of issues that relate to recruiting and hiring the right kind of talent, benefits and compensation, motivation, and working collaboratively with supervisors to add value to a business, not just run a department.
Many of the issues raised deserve serious consideration, including the challenge of fairness: “Being fair to the employee doesn’t mean treating all employees the same way. It means treating all employees at the same level, rank, or segment equally.” Also addressed is the reality that in most companies, there is an informal organization at work that is “usually much more powerful than the formal one.” Such compelling views are expressed throughout, offering those in charge of human resources an opportunity to reflect on their own beliefs.
Each of the thirty-three chapters reads like an individual essay, concisely covering a specific topic. Chapters are not otherwise organized, but they hold together in their tight focus on high-level human resources management issues. Chapters like “Competent Jerks” and “Warning! HR Is Burning Internally” are provocatively titled and have engrossing content, proving unafraid to challenge common assumptions. The book’s observations and opinions are thoughtful, and are supported by specific personal examples.
In a nice summation of the material, the last chapter offers ten specific suggestions for being an effective human resources manager, including “always conduct open and fair dialogue” and “have an end-to-end system in place that allows HR to be proactive.” The conclusion reinforces the overarching message that while human resources is a vital corporate function, a manager can never lose sight of the human focus. “The real need,” writes Kavuncu, “is someone who can listen patiently and act fairly and transparently.”
Practical Thoughts on Human Resources Management is an enlightened and stimulating collection. The content applies across all organizations, regardless of location or size, providing a clear understanding of the importance of human resources.
Reviewed by
Barry Silverstein
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
