The Human Resource Function

THE HUMAN RESOURCE FUNCTION OF HARRISON BROTHERS CORPORATION Company History Harrison Brothers Corporation was founded in Sydney on September 15, 1898, by Aubrey and William Harrison. Harrison’s is a multi-line traditional department store which deals mainly with men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. In recent years, the store has expanded to include household furnishings and other items for the home. The long term goal of the company is to become the leading chain of department stores in NSW, selling moderate to better priced merchandise to middle class, fashion conscious customers. Harrison’s is one of the largest privately owned retail stores in Australia. A majority of its 20 stores are located in Sydney. Its largest store is located in a major urban centre and has 950 employees. The company is highly decentralised and maintains a very small corporate office. Industry Challenges Traditional department stores like Harrison’s are beginning to experience the effects of a number of changes in the retail industry. Not long ago, major department stores succeeded by being all things to all customers. However, today’s customer is looking for both value and specialisation. Superstores and giant discounters are also popping up. At the same time, the industry faces the challenge of keeping a well trained, highly motivated sales staff and management team. James, Harrison, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), describes the company’s strategic challenges for the next five years: “We can no longer continue to do the same old things that gave us a reputation for fair value. We must reposition ourselves – floor to floor – offering exciting brand names, excellent sales help, and frequent sales. We need sales staff who know the merchandise and understand customer preferences. Buying expertise is also critical because fashions and consumer tastes never stay the same. We have five strategic goals: 1. Convert non selling space