Struggling to Find a New HR Project Topic: How Can I Navigate These Challenges?

Hello members,

I am Deepthi Reddy Renati, a student of the School of Management. I completed my first year of MBA and am currently doing my summer project in a major newspaper organization. I wanted to specialize in HR and thus joined this company for an HR project.

They asked me to decide on the topic, and I chose it to be "Employee turnover - the ways to reduce it" as I noticed a high ratio in some departments and throughout the company.

I have calculated the ratios by considering the number of employees leaving the company in one financial year and the total number of employees. I have also identified some reasons for the turnover from the exit interview forms.

Now, I intend to conduct a survey on the employees currently working in the company to understand the problems they face and their sentiments regarding the issues I identified from the exit forms.

However, my guide here is not encouraging this approach due to several reasons:

1. It is a very large organization where an individual cannot make decisions independently.

2. Conducting such a survey may raise employee expectations that the organization will address these issues and implement meaningful changes.

3. The Head of the department has recently departed from the organization.

4. Therefore, neither the HR Manager nor I can promise anything to the employees on behalf of the organization.

5. If no improvements result from the survey, it may lead to employee demotivation.

All these factors are hindering the progress of my project, and my boss now wants me to change the topic.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could suggest alternative ways for me to approach my project without encountering these issues.

Research Assignments

Deepa, first, welcome to the club. Secondly, when you select a topic for an assignment as a student, look for a simple topic that is less cumbersome, easy to obtain, can manage a lot of information, and is easy to implement, etc. The following areas could be useful:

1. Performance Appraisal/Performance Management System.
2. Human Resource Information System.
3. Recruitment/Selection Methods, etc.

These are somewhat easier and less controversial.

Regards,
Leo Lingham

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS

DEEPA,

FIRST, WELCOME TO THE CLUB.

SECONDLY, when you select a topic for an assignment as a student:
- look for a simple topic
- which is less cumbersome
- easy to grasp
- can manage a lot of information
- easy to implement, etc.

The following areas could be useful:
1. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL/ PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
2. HUMAN RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
3. RECRUITMENT/SELECTION METHODS, etc.

These are somewhat easier and less controversial.

Regards,
LEO LINGHAM

This is a good opportunity to introduce myself. I am Kailas, and I completed my MBA in HR and OD in August 2004. I believe you should consider the subject of "Balanced Scorecard."

Dear Deepthi,

In my opinion, you need not change the topic as nothing is impossible if your motive is right. In my philosophy, even the word IMPOSSIBLE says I'M POSSIBLE. So don't look back, rather change your path to lead to the destination.

Do an open house survey with a motivational element attached to it. Ask for open suggestions from the staff to identify factors responsible for employee turnover and ask them to suggest innovative remedies. Offer recognition and an award for the 'best out of all.'

This way, your purpose would be solved and the sensitive issues would remain least affected.

Cheers!!! Monica

Hi Deepa,

I am also a student doing my MBA and completed my 1st year. I am currently working on my summer project, focusing on the "Balanced Scorecard." I suggest that you consider exploring topics like employee attitude or employee satisfaction instead of employee turnover. It is important to choose a topic that is simple and can be effectively completed, as HR projects tend to be qualitative rather than quantitative.

Best of luck with your project.

Regards,
K. Jayavel
B.B.A., M.B.A
Jansons School of Business

Dear Deepa,

Although your topic is very good and has a wide scope, since this is your first industrial project, I shall suggest not to take any chances with your opportunity and the time period at hand.

You must focus on learning at this stage. If you manage to study inside and out of a topic during your summers, you can feel the battle to be won. This period will not only master one subject (you are studying) but also give you a professional perspective to look at the things around you.

So at this point in time, instead of struggling and wasting your time, you should go ahead and select a topic that would help you develop as a professional. Don't think that missing this opportunity to fight the obstacles would be the end of the story. No, there are hundreds of challenges that you will be facing, and with ample time and resources, you can overcome them.

But for starters, start on something that would give you a lot in return for your investment.

All the very best.

Cheers,

Monika

Hi Deepa,

I think more than going for the interview, you can try to understand the reasons from the people with whom you converse freely in the organization. Then, according to that, you can focus on how to reduce turnover rather than just finding the reasons for it. Many people are conducting research to come up with effective solutions for turnover, so you can concentrate on that. Some suggest training and development, performance management or appraisal, and career management as factors that can help reduce turnover. Alternatively, you can take on a new project such as implementing performance management or improving HRIS efficiency.

Thank you.