Unlock the Power of an HR Consulting Association: Gaining a Professional Edge!

As the President of an HR consulting association, I’m often asked about the value of membership in Cascade, including the question, “Why join? What’s the advantage of an HR consulting association when there’s a ton of online information available?” The answer is simple: by belonging to Cascade Employers Association, or another HR consulting association, those in HR and leadership roles gain an advantage over others in the same roles elsewhere, because they have access to ongoing expertise and accurate guidance when they need it: in real-time, from familiar consultants, on a variety of subjects, and from a perspective that takes into account their specific industry and location(s) of doing business.

A Case for Justifying Membership

By joining an HR consulting association, employers gain access to a wealth of resources and expertise that only comes from a brain trust of professionals working together under one roof and committed to helping employers do the right thing in the right way. An HR consulting association helps you stay on top of the latest trends and developments, with access to a team of experts that only the largest organizations can afford to employ, including:

• Employment and labor law compliance experts
• Consultants to guide you on best practices for managing your workforce
• Guidance on approaching sensitive workplace situations
• Training to support best supervisory and leadership practices
• Pay data and compensation plan design so you remain competitive in the marketplace
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion experts for direction toward a successful transformational journey
• Industry-leading research on workforce-related topics

Some associations also provide access to employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans to help you keep costs under control through large group pricing.

Rather than reaching out to separate resources, another benefit of an HR consulting association is access to comprehensive expertise in one place, and most often at a better price than seeking independent consultants for support in individual areas. When those assigned HR responsibilities can tap into the knowledge and expertise of their association, they are better equipped to provide more accurate and timely internal guidance on a wide range of employee and leadership issues. This, in turn, helps organizations make more informed decisions regarding their workforce, improves employee engagement and retention, and enhances overall business performance.

Of course, not all HR consulting associations are created equal. It's important for those individuals assigned HR responsibilities to carefully evaluate the benefits and resources offered by different associations/groups before deciding which one could be your best partner. Look for associations that offer a comprehensive range of resources, including training and certification programs, research and publications, and real-time people to provide guidance vs. chat features alone. Also, consider the reputation of the association and those organizations that already belong. Check out those Google reviews!

In today's competitive business landscape, HR people need every advantage they can get to thrive in this challenging field.