Melissa Greene, President of Delaware SHRM

President's Message

We are all part of businesses that have goals. Increasing sales, streamlining operations, and increased customer satisfaction are only some of the goals that we hear about each and every day. We live in a dynamic business environment and on top of that the economy is definitely challenging. Through it all it is important for organizations to realize that there is value HR can add in both good times and in bad.

The more traditional view of HR in companies is a department that handles administrative and operational activities. These include payroll, benefits, employee relations, recruiting, and compensation. All of these things are very important and necessary for an organization to run. Let’s think a minute how much the business climate would change if many of these things stopped happening. So, I want to thank you all for what you do everyday to keep the engine running. But, I want to issue another challenge to HR professionals in Delaware and the surrounding areas. I want you to help organizations out there understand that while these things are important, there is a whole other level of value an HR department can offer if given the chance. This can be summed up in two words, "strategic partner".

We hear this a lot but what does it really mean? The evolving role of the HR Professional needs to play roles of a consultant, employee advocate, and being a champion of change, especially in today’s day and age. When you think about it these strategic roles are what help keep the organization aligned with the changing business environment. We have to become teachers of what we do to help the current and next generation of managers and leaders make better decisions in a timely fashion. We have to help management consider the people side of any change (i.e. plant relocation, new business direction, workforce planning or restructuring) and make sure the positive values of the organization are not lost in the process. Lastly, once we have direction around that change we should become its catalyst.

My name is Melissa Greene and after 8 years on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Society of Human Resource Management, I am honored to serve as your President. There is so much happening in the business climate out there right now and I think it is a perfect opportunity for HR Professionals to shine. I want us all to make sure we advocate the importance of HR’s traditional and strategic roles. Both are important because transactional HR (those traditional roles mentioned earlier) take on so much more meaning when they are aligned with the strategic direction of the organization. Used properly HR can provide both quantitative and qualitative benefits to organizations and their employees.

Over my next two years as President it is my intention that our meetings, conferences, and networking events will help to solidify our role and educate others around HR’s strategic potential. I know that I have gotten great value personally and professionally from my membership over the years and hope that the same happens for you. If you are not a DESHRM or National SHRM member, please consider joining and experiencing the benefits of ongoing professional development, networking and staying tuned with the changing economic times and how you can make a difference for your organization. If you have any questions about any of these things, please feel free to reach out to me at mgreene@wlgore.com or ask for me at any one of our monthly meetings. Again I would like to thank the chapter for its nomination and I look forward to serving you over the next two years.