In the latest instalment of our interview series with HR industry leaders, we sat down with Rising Vibe Founder Lou Banks to talk about her company, industry challenges, opportunities and sage careers advice…
Tell us about your company, products and services
We are a people development and change management organisation that are focused on bringing emotion back to business. Look after the ‘human’ and performance will improve and results will happen! We provide learning and development solutions that challenge mindset to align with the skills and behaviours that an organisation needs from their people.
What have been the biggest challenges the Human Resources industry has faced over the past 12 months?
In our experience, and the areas that we focus, the constant focus on ‘doing more with less’ – whether that be less people, less money, less time – it causes a negative impact on emotional wellbeing which is often not addressed at all, and too often addressed in a ‘tick box’ way.
And what have been the biggest opportunities?
To invest more in a people development strategy. The amount of money our clients are spending on projects like IT that are behind schedule and over budget is big right now. And these projects also impact the people, but there is too much focus on task and the investment required to support a workforce properly is too regularly challenged and cut. Yet there is money leaking left right and centre elsewhere without enough scrutiny and challenge in my experience.
What is the biggest priority for the Human Resources industry in 2019?
People! Get back to basics – we are not machines. Don’t be scared of being human.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2019?
More focus on mental health and wellbeing and gender balance – but perhaps still too much tick boxing and not balancing in the right places.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?
No idea! We are not big in technology, and recognise that this could become a threat to us as a business – and I know I role model the push back around this area as I don’t understand it enough!
In 2022 we’ll all be talking about…?
How absenteeism, presenteeism and leavism is still increasing.
Which person in, or associated with, the Human Resources industry would you most like to meet?
Love all the people behind The Book of Man – very topical for us right now with our Calling Out The Men launch coming.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Human Resources sector?
That it is less about people and more about process now when we are screaming out for the opposite
You go to the bar at the London/Manchester HR Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?
Provence rose wine
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
The people, working with the resistance to emotion and seeing such transformational results when you break through it.
And what’s the most challenging?
The people and working with the resistance! Helping people (especially sponsors) to see that this work is not remotely pink and fluffy!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Make decisions from alignment – if it doesn’t feel right (and not because it’s a bit scary because you’re learning) don’t do it. Every time I’ve ignored that it’s not ended well – so I ignore it less now!
Baptiste or Game Of Thrones?
Game of Thrones
