What strategies have you found helpful for overcoming issues aligning HR initiatives with business objectives?

Human Capital Strategy development process align with the Business Strategy development process.  In other words, it is embedded into the whole strategic planning process and framework.

From a pragmatic perspective, demonstrate awareness of important dates in your organization's operating cycle when you're planning the schedule for HR programs and initiatives.  I'm grateful for the business leaders who coached me on the importance of this early in my career.  For example, a company I once worked for had an established cadence of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting milestone dates.  Managers especially busy in the days leading up to these reporting milestones.  I had a better chance of getting their attention (and building credibility as a business partner) when my implementation plans didn't conflict with known priorities that were important to the business.  

I've found the most helpful tools for finding alignment to be collaborative goal setting combined with open and frequent communication. HR has to have a seat at the table when overall business objectives and goals are set in order to align their department/team objectives with the organizational priorities. When HR is involved in the strategic planning process and fully understands the long term business objectives, they can then prioritize the work and initiatives that best support those goals. 

Having a CPO on the executive leadership team and having one of the business objectives directly linked to people has helped the People team at UW to go one step further in that People are part of the business objectives so align at the very top. We also work collaboratively with owners of the other business objectives when they overlap and key results need people data, such as attrition. A successful inclusion and measurement of voluntary attrition levels in customer service as one of our business okrs has meant a focus and reduction over the last 9 months.

Understand the business's long-term goals and objectives: Develop HR initiatives that support these goals, focusing on talent acquisition, development, and retention

Foster a strong, communicative relationship between HR and business leaders: This collaboration is essential for ensuring that HR initiatives are in line with the broader business strategy

Utilise data-driven insights for decision-making: By leveraging data, HR can make informed decisions that are aligned with the organisations needs and goals

Promote a company culture aligned with business vision and values: Ensuring that the company's culture reflects its strategic objectives can help in aligning HR initiatives with business goals

Conduct a SWOT analysis: By thoroughly evaluating an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, HR can create a strategic plan that maximises the potential of the organisations human capital

By implementing these strategies, HR can better align its initiatives with the broader business objectives, ultimately contributing to the organisations success.

Happy to discuss!