Final answer:
The HR department member responsible for being aware of business trends and their potential impact on the company is the HR Business Partner. They play a strategic role in aligning HR practices with business objectives and adapting to changes in the business environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The member of the HR department who requires an awareness of business trends and an understanding of how they might affect the business, as well as opportunities and threats they might present, is c. HR Business Partner.
An HR Business Partner is typically someone who has a deep understanding of the company's business strategy and can provide insight on how different trends could impact the organization. Their role involves acting as a liaison between the HR department and the rest of the company to ensure that HR strategies align with business goals. This individual must be agile in adapting to changing business environments and capable of anticipating future needs. They frequently collaborate with senior management to generate initiatives that drive organizational performance and growth.
An HR Business Partner's responsibilities are broader than the more specialized functions of other HR roles, such as compensation analysts, who focus on developing compensation structures, or training specialists, who are primarily concerned with employee development and training programs. By understanding external business trends, an HR Business Partner can help guide strategy in staffing, development, and organizational design that aligns with the company's objectives and market conditions.