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Redefining HR: Transforming People Teams to Drive Business Performance by Lars Schmidt
In Redefining HR, Lars Schmidt argues that HR must evolve from a support-oriented, process-driven function to a strategic, performance-driven partner in order to keep up in times of rapid change and disruption. Rather than theoretical discourse, the book offers a hands-on, practitioner’s framework for modernizing HR and “People Operations.” It walks through key components like recruitment, talent management, performance & rewards, learning & development, diversity & inclusion, people analytics, and employee experience—each illustrated with case studies from companies like HubSpot, Reddit, Stripe, Mastercard, Siemens, Upwork, and more. The goal is to help HR leaders critically assess their current practices, choose what to keep, what to change, and where to rethink entirely—so that the HR function doesn’t merely follow best practices, but helps drive business results by saving time, reducing costs, and improving outcomes for both employees and the company.