Human Capital: Foundations and Essentials

Overview

Unlock the potential of your HR career with “Human Capital: Foundations and Essentials.” Dive into the evolution of HR roles, from traditional titles like Personnel Director to modern designations such as Human Capital Manager and People Operations Leader. This course equips you with the skills to evaluate and implement effective communication and leadership strategies that span the entire people space. Throughout the course, you’ll analyze and reflect on mini-case studies based on real-world scenarios to bridge course content with your own professional experiences. Explore the legal and strategic aspects of HR as you transition from conventional methods to contemporary practices that prioritize employee engagement, well-being, and workforce development. With an overview of the Human Capital Management Framework and its implications on beliefs, values, and health and safety, this course ensures you are well-rounded in the fundamental and cutting-edge elements of human capital management. Immerse yourself in this dynamic field and emerge with the expertise to drive meaningful change in your organization. This is the first course in “Extraordinary Human Capital Management,” a course series for human resource professionals interested in advancing their skills to align with organizational and employee needs.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction

In the upcoming module of the course, you will embark on a journey to correlate the curriculum with your professional objectives. Those keen on HR careers will discover the Human Capital Management Circle Framework, which will be relevant to your ambitions to optimize HR processes and enhance workforce performance within your organizations. You will learn to define and apply the strategic tools of the framework effectively. The week will also offer insights into the various HR roles, including Personnel Director, HR Director, Human Capital Manager, People Manager, and Talent Manager, providing clarity on the different responsibilities each position entails. Furthermore, you will be introduced to essential strategies for leading effective communication, making decisions, and resolving conflicts, critical skills for maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment. A component of this week will involve starting the Learning Journals, encouraging you to document your educational progress and personal reflections as you progress through the study of human capital and HR.

Module 2: Beliefs and Values and the Center of the Framework

In the second module, you will concentrate on introspective examination as you clarify your personal beliefs and values that underpin your approach to human capital management. The coursework will guide you through a process of self-discovery to identify what principles are most important in your professional life. Concurrently, you will research and identify companies that are known for their positive strategic human capital management practices. Through case studies and discussions, you will be exposed to various companies who are celebrated for championing progressive approaches to human capital within their organizations. The Learning Journals this week will serve as a critical tool for reflection – you will document your evolving understanding of what constitutes effective human capital leadership and how your own values align with those in the field. By the close of the module, you will have a clearer vision of how personal beliefs shape leadership styles and the impact this can have on human capital strategies in the workplace.

Module 3: Health & Safety - A Specific Value

In Module 3, you will concentrate specifically on understanding the critical nature of workplace health and safety as a core value, venturing into its expansive significance across industries and borders. The course will use the first vignette as a learning model. This exploration will extend into the legal domain, empowering you to decide when legal expertise is required and develop an awareness of diverse international and industrial laws related to health and safety. Additionally, the module will address the evolution of employee engagement with wellness programs in the context of the post-Covid world, prompting you to consider strategies that prioritize health and safety as central components of organizational resilience.

Module 4: Infrastructure

During Module 4, you will define and examine the concept of infrastructure within the realms of Human Resources and Human Capital Management. You will learn to classify various types of infrastructures and understand their critical roles in supporting the different quadrants and rings of the HR/HCM Framework. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing between basic compensation, such as pay or salary, and the broader notion of Total Compensation, which encompasses various monetary and non-monetary benefits. You will evaluate the components of Total Compensation, identifying those most relevant and beneficial for use in your professional practices. The module will also introduce the relationship between GenAI and People Analytics in modern HR/HCM, exploring how these technologies can enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. You will engage in generating practical ideas on how GenAI and People Analytics could be leveraged to benefit yourself and your organizations, using insights drawn from course material and discussions.