. 44-46)In conclusion, above all else it is people who create and develop a competitive edge. The strategic planning of human resources can therefore make a significant contribution to the overall strategic plan by ensuring that the company has the right sort of people with the required skills, and that they are managed productively. HRM can contribute to overall strategic planning by being involved in the internal and external analysis, by bringing attention to the role of the HR function in fulfilling the business plan, using effective HR management programs to create a highly productive workforce, assisting in the development of the formal corporate plan, planning and initiating recruitment, selection and training and development programs and developing a tight fit between organisational resources and employee capabilities. All human resource practices need to be linked to the competitive strategy. By amalgamating human resource management with the overall strategic plan, the organisation will retain a flexible workforce, which can act as a business strength (Skelton, 1996). Torraco and Swanson (1995: p. 12) summed it up by saying: "Today, organisations that are capable of rapidly responding to emerging business needs will succeed." This flexibility can only come through the contribution of human resource management to the overall strategic business plan....
