Human Resource (HR) administration deals mostly with employees’ salaries and benefits. However, it can be broadened to include development and administrative processes designed to increase effectiveness as an employer – its hiring process, pays and benefits. In a nutshell, HR refers to the whole spectrum of creating and managing employer-employee relationship. It can be also said to designate a broader involvement and strategic role in the organization than “personnel” which most people associate with just hiring.

Vanguard recently had a brief chat with Mr. Mark Isibor, who is a HR professional with expertise in Policy Development and Review, Employee Relations, HR Projects and Change Management. His experience in HR spans over 20 years, 10 of which were as an expert within the educational and commercial sectors in the United Kingdom (UK). His experience is backed up with extensive professional qualifications. He had once served an Administrative Secretary, NAFDAC Pension Board of Trustee (1994-2001).

ISIBOR

He is an alumnus of the Universities of Lagos, London and Leicester. He is the MD/CEO of Mostvam Limited UK. The company is a business consulting firm made up of innovative partnership of international business specialists and law professionals, who specialize in assisting clients’ businesses to grow and succeed by providing first-class exceptional advisory services. Excerpts.

With the change in government in Nigeria, where do you think you fit in, by way of assisting in improving the economy?

For every business concern, HR serves as the ‘foundation stone’ upon which subsequent company policies can be built upon. This then means that organizations should have sound footing in order to be among the new world order of global economy.

How can Nigerians be convinced that companies operating within the country can reach their desired economic goals, when all the companies are interested in is just profit?

Every company desires profit. In fact that is one of the underlining reasons why most companies are set up anyway. But the difference between the successful ones and the rest is their ‘structural foundation’, which I prefer to call HR application strategies. A successful company must be one which its HR Unit ensures that the business grows and succeed by providing first class exceptional advisory services in management, communication, public relations, marketing and advertising. The HR Unit must effectively address issues ranging from strategy to operational improvements and change management.

From your experience, what do you think is lacking in the operations of most organizations in Nigeria?

From my observation, most of them fail to deliver cutting-edge human capital initiations that eventually drive the business strategy and result. To be among the top 20 global companies, you have to ensure that your HR processes are legally compliant by providing a comprehensive review of HR policies and practices, so that the organization is seen to be operating within the legal framework. There must also be a conscious effort to develop innovative and positive communication strategies to ensure effective implementation of the company’s communication plan and develop new technologies of communication delivery.

An aspect of worry is the poor sustenance of branding within the industry. What is the way out?

A company must develop and execute PR strategies/tactics that would build a concrete reputation and eventually enhance its brand. It is also important to develop innovative campaigns focused on media strategies and tactics to deliver campaign priorities with maximum impact to business and consumer audiences.