Executive Spotlight: Michele Toth of Northrop Grumman
Michele Toth
Michele Toth, who leads Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ human resources, discussed several topics in a recent interview with ExecutiveBiz. She touched on emerging trends in the HR field as well as her take on social media.
ExecutiveBiz: My first question is; how did you get to the position you are in currently, and some of the lessons you learned along the way?
Michele: I think I got here because I have a diverse background, not just in HR, but also in strategic planning, manufacturing production materials, and I think that that provided me the foundation. And I think the lesson along the way really is just to continue to take on any assignment or opportunity thrown my way, no matter how tough or hard. So I took on the tougher, more complex, assignments that required lots of change, going into environments where I didn’t know anybody and working to turn businesses around and working for significant change efforts.
ExecutiveBiz: That segways into my next question, do you have any advice to any young HR professionals who are just getting started into this field?
Michele: I think it is really important that they network outside of HR, that they build a community of business people also around them and that they get very comfortable with technology, with understanding who their client base is, the markets they play in, the competition. To really summarize it: think and act like a businessperson every day, balancing business requirements with human capital requirements. That type of thinking adds value every day.
ExecutiveBiz: How do you recruit and obtain the best talent?
Michele: I think you have to understand the talent base and the market in which you are playing. That is why I think those other variables are so important, because if you don’t understand the business, you will not be successful in the long-term.
ExecutiveBiz: Yes.
Michele: You have to understand the business in which you operate so that you recruit the right people. But you also have to have a good offering, because it is a highly competitive market and your business should offer employees what is best for them. I don’t believe it is a one-size-fits-all. It is segmenting in your talent, to understand what that talent base wants and needs.
ExecutiveBiz: Does your firm use social media?
Michele: We do use some. We have accounts with all the top social media sites from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to LinkedIn. Of course, we use these tools to communicate to an external audience of prospective employees by sharing links to hot career offerings and more.
ExecutiveBiz: Is that something used internally in the firm?
Michele: Yes, we use these same tools to promote important internal communications and activities within our sector. But as you know, as a defense contractor, we have to be careful not to reveal sensitive data so we’re adept with how we position that info.
ExecutiveBiz: Do you see any emerging trends in the human resources field?
Michelle: In that vien, I am going to be presenting at the SHRM National Conference, that’s the Society for Human Resources Management, about how to progress from being a service provider to earning a place as a solutions provider to achieving the status as thought leader.
ExecutiveBiz: The only other question I have is, do you have any hobbies outside of work; is there anything someone would be surprised to know about you?
Michele: I love the arts. Everything, all kinds of arts. Working out everyday is key to my life and I want to see the world before I die..Understanding different cultures is important to me!
ExecutiveBiz: What is your favorite sport to play?
Michele: I run. So running. I love to learn. I love nature. I love my family. The arts are probably my passion. I am also passionate about HR, because it really is about thinking and acting like a businessperson and how we strategically manage every opportunity when we approach things….it’s all about leveraging human capital to throttle the business forward.
Posted by John Adams
on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010. Filed under Executive Spotlight.
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[...] This week, Michele Toth, who leads Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ human resources, gave advice to young HR professionals who are just getting started in this field. [...]
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