Final answer:
HR's cross-functional relationship with sales often involves aligning incentive programs with company goals, ensuring they are designed to be fair and motivating. This collaborative effort is part of fostering productive working relationships, reflecting a modern understanding of partnership in the workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following best describes HR's cross-functional relationship with sales? The relationship between HR (Human Resources) and sales can be multifaceted, focusing on areas such as aligning incentive programs with overall business goals. While HR may indeed collaborate on managing costs and labor relations in different markets, perhaps balancing global consistency and local practice, a common area of collaboration specific to sales is in the design and management of incentive programs.
These programs often tie salespeople's compensation directly to their performance metrics, and HR plays a critical role in ensuring these align with company objectives and are fair and motivating. Furthermore, HR may also work with sales to develop staffing plans, although this is often a shared responsibility with operations. Keeping this in mind, it's important to approach working relationships within your firm, especially the one with your manager, in a collaborative and productive manner. Recognizing the benefits of an equal partnership, even in a traditional worker-manager hierarchy, can contribute significantly to a positive working environment.