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Kia ora. It’s Ben M. Bartlett here and I am writing to you from the awesome country of New Zealand.
What is Kia ora? It’s a greeting from the indigenous people of New Zealand known as the Maori. And it simply means hello or welcome.
As you may know, New Zealand is a developed country of 5 million people located near the bottom of the world.
Here in New Zealand we’re famous for sheep, beautifully picturesque landscapes, the Lord of the Rings movies, the All Blacks rugby team…and that on a per capita basis, we are one of the world’s best sporting nations.
We also have a reputation as being really friendly, down-to-earth and helpful people.
Today I want to help you.
How so?
I’d like to invite you to subscribe to The Bartlett Lessons Newsletter. And sent directly to your email inbox twice a week, your subscription to The Bartlett Lessons Newsletter is free.
Your most valuable investment asset
The Bartlett Lessons Newsletter is an educational newsletter about human capital. It is part of a series of products and services that focus on improving human capital ROI. What is human capital?
According to Wikipedia:
Human capital is a concept used by economists and social scientists to designate personal attributes considered useful in the production process. It encompasses employee knowledge, skills, know-how, good health, and education, to name a few.
Companies can invest in human capital, for example, through education and training, enabling improved levels of quality and production.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_capital
The Wikipedia article on human capital also highlights that human capital is an intangible asset. Therefore human capital is a non-tangible asset that has intrinsic value, and which can generate future value.
In its definition, the financial website Investopedia touches on human capital’s economic value, as well as the importance of values, traits and physical health.
The term human capital refers to the economic value of a worker’s experience and skills. Human capital includes assets like education, training, intelligence, skills, health, and other things employers value such as loyalty and punctuality.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/humancapital.asp
The concept of human capital is not new.
In 1778 Scottish economist Adam Smith highlighted, “the acquired and useful abilities of all the inhabitants or members of the society” as one of the four types of fixed capital. So, as part of Smith’s framework, abilities were categorised alongside machines, buildings and land as fixed capital. (From: An Inquiry into the Nature And Causes of the Wealth of Nations Book 2 )
Then, moving forward to 1928, the specific term human capital was first used by English economist, Arthur Cecil Pigou. In his book A Study in Public Finance, Pigou stated, “There is such a thing as investment in human capital as well as investment in material capital.”
Although the term human capital was first used in 1928, it is actually the planet’s oldest investment. And that’s because society and progress has been built upon the development and application of human capital.
My definition of human capital
My definition of human capital brings together its key components and highlights its investment value:
Human capital is an intangible asset that comprises traits, values, skill set and track record.
As an investment asset, human capital has intrinsic value, as well as the ability to generate future financial and qualitative value. Human capital is the world’s most valuable investment asset.
How to put the Human back into Human Resources
In the early 20th century the field of human resources (HR) emerged as that part of an organisation that deals with the human side of organisational performance.
And these days HR is the central function that handles all the people aspects of a business.
Unfortunately, in many businesses HR has lost its human focus. And people have been relegated to commoditised resources.
How so? HR has become an administration and compliance machine, dealing with an array of administrative tasks related to payroll, health and safety and performance management. There is an emphasis on legislative compliance, rules and handbooks.
Furthermore, people development has taken a back seat because people in the business are too busy working in the business.
Ultimately, in many businesses, the human resources function has lost its strategic and development focus and importance.
Contrast human resources with human capital. Human capital is a term that defines people as investment assets, as opposed to resources. In my view, it is a more accurate description of the value of people in an organisation. Human capital recognises that human beings have intrinsic value, along with the potential to grow in value over time.
Overview of Services
Again, BM. Bartlett offers a suite of consulting, coaching and education services dedicated to human capital. And in helping teams and individuals to accelerate human capital return on investment. And it all starts with The Bartlett Lessons newsletter.
The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is the starting point for developing human capital. For improving strategy. And for excelling at strategy execution.
Remember, The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is free, and is delivered to your email inbox twice a week. As well, there is a print edition which is sent to consulting and coaching clients by snail mail.
The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is also the stepping stone to our other consulting, planning and coaching services, including:
The Bartlett Lessons workshops, speeches and books.
Sessions. One-off consulting, coaching and planning sessions you can use to solve an urgent problem, brainstorm ideas, critique or design a plan, receive coaching.
Human Capital Projects. For in-depth and complex human capital projects.
Bartlett OnCall. A human capital consulting and consulting retainer service that gives you ongoing access to a master strategist, coach and advisor.
Fees cater to a range of budgets and needs too. For instance, workshops and speeches start at $2,000. Sessions are $5,000. Human Capital Projects are $10,000+. And you can access Bartlett OnCall for as little as $2,500 a month.
Again though, you can start for free with The Bartlett Lessons Newsletter.
Here’s what you will learn
The lessons in The Bartlett Lessons newsletter are based on our proprietary suite of tools and systems which are collectively called The Human Capital System.
Each lesson is based on one of the modules outlined above.
And my qualifications?
First and foremost, I am a master strategist, which is best defined as someone qualified and skilled in analyzing and developing strategy. So in a nutshell, I help business leaders to solve their biggest problems with good strategy.
In terms of academic background, I attended my first strategic planning course in 1994. And, my qualifications include an MBA (“A” grade average), specializing in strategic thinking.
As well as serving as a strategist, I am a strategic advisor and coach to CEOs, high performing business owners and team members, helping them to improve strategic performance and to get their shit together.
Clients include senior executives at large organisations such as Marley, Red Cross, AIG and Honda…managing directors, boards and team members of multi-million dollar a year privately owned companies, government department leaders, and the owners of small businesses.
My work has been recognised and featured at industry conferences in both New Zealand and Australia, and has been the subject of legal action taken against others who have stolen my – and my clients’ – intellectual property. I’ve helped firms in a range of sectors including investment advisory, accounting, fast moving consumer goods, building and construction, food manufacturing, insurance and wellness.
Alongside my work with business leaders is the role I perform as a fitness/sports coach and life skills mentor, working with youth. This role is a passion that I’ve been dedicated to for more than 30 years. My business career is my career. My youth work is my calling. And the two work perfectly together.
What is my youth coaching work all about? It’s about helping youth to apply strategy principles to excel in all areas of their lives, such as education, vocation and physical and mental wellbeing. You see, when you master strategy you can master life. And that’s the message I drive into the youth that I coach.
My biggest qualification?
Listen up. I didn’t have the flashest upbringing. Born a poor Maori boy in the small city of Gisborne, New Zealand. And surrounded by a dysfunctional environment that included alcohol abuse, drugs, crime and financial hardship.
But, when I reached my late teens I realised that the responsibility for getting my shit together lay firmly on my shoulders. And I discovered that the key to success was learning how to plan and execute strategy.
Long story short. I did get my shit together. And now it’s me telling high falutin’ CEOs and business leaders how to get all their shit together.
A warning
Yes, when you optimise human capital, you can master life. And my human capital newsletter is all about helping you to optimise human capital. But here’s a warning.
Because The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is only for serious business leaders, I expect readers to read the lessons. I expect them to study and learn. And those who don’t read lessons are removed from the email list. Why is that? My view is that those who can’t be bothered reading The Bartlett Lessons newsletter are just not serious enough about studying the art and science of human capital development.
My policy for those who are removed is just as strict. They cannot re-subscribe.
On that basis then, if you qualify and understand the conditions, then you need to subscribe.
Each of these lessons has been carefully chosen to show you how to apply human capital principles to achieve greater business and personal success.
And to get your shit together.
What to do now?
Fill in your first name and email address below, then click the subscribe button.
Eagerly read by CEOs and business owners in countries throughout the world including India, USA, Australia and New Zealand, the The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is a must-read for growth focused individuals.
Again, with the our human capital newsletter you get lessons sent to your email inbox twice a week.
Plus, you will receive invites to free lectures, access to free reports and special offers on a portfolio of human capital services.
Most importantly, you will get to learn, understand and apply human capital principles to improve your business and personal life. To subscribe, simply fill in your first name and email address below.
Remember. The Bartlett Lessons newsletter is free. So subscribe now by filling in your details below.