Optimize Your Greatest Asset –– Your People: How to Apply Analytics to Big Data to Improve Your Human Capital Investments

Discover How Practical Analytics of People Data Can Drive Better Business Strategies!

"There is significant proof that applying analytics and understanding how investments are working significantly improves business outcomes. We now use predictive analytics to help navigate rapidly changing work environments. Big data allows us to capture both structured and unstructured data and turn it into information that enables us to make better–informed decisions."
From the Preface

Optimize Your Greatest Asset Your People gives human resource professionals the information and strategies they need to incorporate advanced analytics in their departments. Author Gene Pease a noted expert on business analytics outlines a framework for optimizing human capital investments through predictive analysis. He shows what it takes to transform an HR department from relying on questionable anecdotes and outmoded surveys to a department that integrates advanced measurement techniques by combining data from multiple systems into a plan of action that improves business results.

Optimize Your Greatest Asset Your People is filled with practical examples and solid advice from successful executives. This vital resource clearly shows how analytic techniques are applied in real–world settings and how this data–driven approach helps leaders make better business decisions. The author includes a review of the latest research on the topic, as well as important considerations surrounding data security and employee trust.

Optimize Your Greatest Asset Your People is a guide for any business leader or HR professional who wants to step into the world of predictive analytics capabilities. Now you can harness the power of big data, leverage machine learning functionality, and make decisions based on reliable analytics.

Foreword

Chapter 1 The Need for Measurement in a Changing Environment

Preface

Acknowledgments

Changing Environment

Analytics Give Companies a Competitive Edge

Everybody s Doing It

Transcending Borders

Slim Down, Do More

Everybody Wins

Changing Workforce

Who s Working Today?

How Are Employers Responding to Generation Z?

The Boomers Are Still Here

What about Generation X?

So Now What?

Notes

Chapter 2 What Exactly Is Predictive Analytics and Why Is It Useful?

Workforce Planning

Workforce Optimization

What Can Analytics Do for You?

Using Macroeconomic Data at Wells Fargo

Reducing Turnover with Unstructured Data

Notes

Chapter 3 The State of Human Capital Analytics

Profiling the Early Adopters

Barriers and Key Enablers to Success

Notes

Chapter 4 From Data to Action

The Continuum of Analytics

Taking Action

Designing the Study

Conducting the Study

Other Differentiators

Notes

Chapter 5 The Big Data Conundrum

Death by Dashboard

What to Do

Descriptive Analysis

How Much Data Is Big?

Ethics and Other Considerations

The Career Perspective

The New Art of HR

Big Data: Passing Trend or Here to Stay?

Notes

Chapter 6 The Future of Talent Investments

Tools and Technology

Talent Acquisition and Management

Learning Customization

The Future Workforce

Notes

Appendix A 2014 Human Capital Analytics Study (Making Human Capital Analytics Work) October 2014

Quick Facts

Purpose and Overview of the Study

The Organization, Structure, and Operation of Human Capital Analytics Practice

Project Selection Types and Use of Analytics

Maturity, Progress, and Success

Summary

Appendix B Driving Talent Development with Data

Introduction

Understanding Human Capital Analytics

The Human Capital Analytics Continuum

How to Start a Measurement Strategy

When Human Capital Analytics Pay Off

Conclusion

About UNC Executive Development

About Gene Pease

About Gene Pease

Appendix C Training Case Studies

ACS Xerox: Analysis of a Call Center Agent Turnover

Chrysler LLC: Sales Consultant Training

Chrysler Academy: Sales Manager Training

US Bank: Retail Branch Manager Training

Sun Microsystems: New Director Training

Appendix D Leadership Development Case Studies

National Grid: Foundations of Leadership

ConAgra Foods: Foundations of Leadership

Appendix E Mentoring Case Study

Sun Microsytems: University Mentoring Program

Appendix F Social Learning Case Study

Sun Learning Services: SUN Learning eXchange (SLX)

Appendix G Performance Management Case Study

VF Corporation: Measuring the Impact of Performance Management Maximizing Performance

Appendix H Words of Wisdom from Human Capital Analytics Practitioners

About the Author

Index

GENE PEASE is a pioneer in the field of Workforce Optimization. He is the Founder and CEO of Vestrics, the leading predictive analytics and workforce optimization platform. Gene has co–authored two other books on human capital analytics and speaks at various industry events on innovative and cutting–edge topics in the HR space.