From contracts to leadership: The HR essentials every business needs

By RfM Transform

25 Sep 2024

HR Trends from RfM Transform water.png.png

At RfM Transform, we believe that a strong HR foundation is the key to long-term business success.

It starts with getting the essentials right—clear, compliant contracts and well-documented policies in staff handbooks.

These create transparency, reduce friction, and lay the groundwork for more advanced strategies, such as leadership development and feedback systems.

By building from these basics, small businesses can ensure that their teams are supported, engaged, and positioned for growth.

According to a report from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the UK economy loses an estimated £84 billion a year due to poor management practices.

For small businesses with tighter resources, the impact of bad management is even more pronounced—whether through disengaged employees or the high costs of staff turnover.

“Good management isn’t just about hitting targets,” says Tina Holt, HR director at Euxton-based RfM Transform.

“It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and supported. When businesses get that balance right, everything else—productivity, engagement, loyalty—naturally follows.”

The High Cost of Replacing Talent

Replacing an employee is expensive, especially for small businesses. Studies show that replacing an employee can cost anywhere from six to nine months’ salary in recruitment and onboarding costs.

Add to that the potential loss of productivity while a new employee gets up to speed, and the numbers become hard to ignore​.

Investing in good management practices upfront can save small businesses thousands in the long run.

Practical Steps for Small Businesses

At RfM Transform, our HR Essentials Package is designed to give small businesses the practical HR support they need to build effective management structures.

Getting contracts right and fully documenting policies in staff handbooks creates transparency and reduces friction within the team.

Once these foundations are in place, we can also help with more advanced strategies, such as leadership training and feedback systems, providing actionable solutions that prevent the pitfalls of poor management.

So, what can small businesses do to tackle poor management? Here are a few practical strategies we offer through our director-led support:

  • Leadership Development: Once the essentials such as contracts, handbooks and policies are in place, we help businesses take the next step by developing their managers. Our training focuses on communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills—ensuring leaders feel confident and supported, and can lead their teams more effectively.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: With contracts and handbooks clearly defined, the next stage is setting up regular feedback systems. Constructive feedback is key to improving performance and addressing issues early. We provide tailored frameworks for employee reviews that ensure communication is clear and productive.
  • Employee Engagement: Building on the transparency and structure created by good policies, we help businesses develop strategies to boost engagement. Engaged teams are 21% more profitable (HR Morning). From flexible working arrangements to well-being initiatives, our HR services support businesses in creating environments that foster high morale and productivity.

By offering these solutions through our HR Essentials package which starts at just £65 + vat per month, RfM Transform ensures that small businesses don’t just survive—they thrive.

If you want to see how better practices can transform your business, contact us today to learn more about our Essentials Package or our HR Business+Booster.

 

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin