The People Business: How To Strategically Approach HR
Investing in your workforce means investing in your business. Understanding and optimising the HR cycle is crucial for ensuring a positive employee experience. By hiring the right candidates and retaining them, you maintain a continuous and productive employer-employee relationship. Ensuring the people business of your organisation is thriving.

Attract
In the “People Business”, the hiring process can be a time-consuming one. To attract a suitable candidate quickly, a recruitment strategy is of great importance. There is much more to it than a market-related salary. In the recruitment phase, it is important to make your organisation stand out by promoting a strong employer brand. Highlight growth opportunities, a supporting & caring working environment, flexibility and trust. These are the qualities that top candidates seek, and by showcasing them, you attract individuals who are aligned with your business values from the start.
Hire
You don’t only need an employee that can do the job, but also one that fits in with your culture and values.
The benefits of hiring the right people for your business include:
- Time-saving
- Employee morale
- Business growth
You save time by focussing on your core business, instead of managing a “poor performance” employee. Hiring a team player with a positive attitude will build up the company morale, rather than disrupting it. An invested employee would want to grow within your organisation, reducing the number of potential new hiresYou save time by focussing on your core business, instead of managing a “poor performance” employee. Hiring a team player with a positive attitude will build up the company morale, rather than disrupting it. An invested employee would want to grow within your organisation, reducing the number of potential new hires.
“Hiring the right people takes time, the right questions and a healthy dose of curiosity.” – Richard Branson
In the people business, training is vital for keeping employees engaged and competitive. It builds skills, improves performance, and sets clear expectations. Richard Branson also emphasized this by saying: “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.”
Empowering your employees through training ensures they are invested in the organization and less likely to leave.
Retain
Employee retention is critical for maintaining productivity, morale, and cost-efficiency. Trust between employees and management is key, and job security is paramount. Clear communication about job duties, fair compensation, regular performance appraisals, and updated contracts are essential for retention.
Employees’ needs are constantly evolving, making it important to stay informed about current workforce trends. Communication is key to fostering belief and understanding. Maintain transparency and compliance to build strong, lasting relationships with your employees.
Current South African HR Statistics
- Unemployment Rate: As of the first quarter of 2024, South Africa’s unemployment rate is 32.9%.
- Job Vacancies: The job vacancy rate has seen a slight increase, highlighting the need for effective recruitment strategies.
- Employee Turnover: The average employee turnover rate in South Africa is around 16.6%, emphasizing the importance of strong retention strategies.
Investing in your workforce and effectively managing the HR cycle can significantly impact your people and business’s success in today’s competitive market.