You Do The Math

This is the title of an article in the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development's July People Management magazine.

Basically the article is promoting the fact that it is no longer "possible to be a credible HR professional without knowing your numbers". True. But especially in today's climate knowledge of the numbers has to extend and permeate the entire business. Financial literacy, to a greater or lesser extent, is crucial for everyone in the organisation to understand that EVERY decision they make will impact the finances somewhere.

How can the workforce understand the management's seemingly obsessive behaviour about cost containment, (a euphemism for 'cutting'), unless they can see clearly how these actions can make a difference to not only business profitability and survival but even to them keeping their jobs?

The People Management article is informative, but sadly dull. It is kind of preaching to the converted in that if you are interested in the numbers you will already know this stuff. If you have made a career out of avoiding finance and accountants then you will quickly turn the page and skip to the next article, and miss out on some essential knowledge.

Financial awareness amongst staff is only going to increase if the environment is created for them to create their own learning, see the relevance, and address the "what's in it for me" stance.

If you are not a numbers person but appreciate the importance of the organisation's finances then i challenge you to get to the end of the aforementioned article.

If you would prefer interactive, enduring and fun learning then talk to us!