Human and Non-human Resources Human Resources Human resources are central to carrying out any activity. These resources can be developed through training and self-development. For example, knowledge regarding any field/task can be acquired, skill may developed which will help you to develop aptitude. Let us read about human resources in detail.
(a) Knowledge – It is a resource one uses throughout one’s life and is a pre-requisite for carrying out any activity successfully. A cook must have knowledge of how to operate cooking gas or chullah before she/he starts preparing food. A teacher who does not have thorough knowledge of her/his subject, cannot become an effective teacher. One needs to be open to acquiring knowledge throughout one’s life.
(b) Motivation/Interest: There is a common saying, ‘Where there is a will there is a way’. This indicates that to accomplish any task, the worker must be motivated and interested in doing it. For example, if a student is not interested in learning a task, even when other resources are available, she/he still may give excuses and not finish the task. We may pursue dance, painting, reading fiction, art and craft and other hobbies as per our motivation.
(c) Skills/Strength/Aptitude: All individuals may not be skilled in performing all activities. Each one of us has an aptitude in certain areas. We can therefore carry out activities in these areas better as compared to others. For example, pickles and chutney prepared by different individuals will taste different depending upon their skill.
However, we can acquire skills we do not have through learning and training. (d) Time: It is a resource available to everyone equally. There are hours in a day and every one spends it in her/his own way. Time once lost cannot be regained.
Hence, it is the most valuable resource. Managing time in a specific period and attaining the goal is very important. We need to continuously plan and be able to utilise the available time to finish the desired task. Time can be thought of in terms of three dimensions — work time, non-work time, rest and leisure time.