Traditional Approach

Traditional HR was to assist with recruitment and selection; administer payroll, compensation and benefits. Strategic HR takes a tactical approach to ensure that all actions relate to the business objectives stated in the strategic plan. Strategic HR involves a different way of running an organization. HR can put the people in the right positions to maximize those achievements. A strategic organization focuses on productivity and measurement of how objectives are achieved. Within the traditional HR, they answer questions about hiring, compensation and benefits, promotions and development opportunities. When dealing with Strategic HR it focuses on the following:

Recognizes the impact of the outside environment.

Recognizes the impact of the competition on the dynamics of the labor market.

Has a long-range focus (three to five years).

Focuses on the issues of choice and decision making - i.e. is proactive rather than reactive.

Considers all employees (including skilled and unskilled laborers).

Integrated with the overall organizational strategy and functional strategies

When HR is used in the strategic partner concept things change. The strategic HR plans for long-term goals and how to align the right personnel with the right job to ensure all achievements set by CEOs and higher management are completed successfully. They pay close attention to changes in technology and stay abreast of any change in the global market for competitiveness. They strive to look for future success and potential gains for the firm in the long-run. Their "road map" plans years in advance on how they see the firm advancing with the help of higher management.

In Fruit Guys, the owner had to revise his plan in order to succeed in today's environment. He realized that his old way of think was not working. Ensuring he had the correct personnel in the right job is crucial to his success.

In Allstate, understand the role of the HR completely. They understand employees' benefits as well as compensation packages for them as well. They are focus on providing the firm with the right personnel with the right job to ensure firm success. One of the things that stood out to me was the fact about surveys. They listen or want to know what the employees think. This will retain and make employees loyal to the firm because they care.