Category Archives: HR Heroes

15 Things I loved about #SHRM13

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shrm party bus 3I’m suffering from sleep deprivation and feel like I’ve been on an all-week party bus. Actually, I’m just coming off my SHRM13 high. The schedule was grueling, the commute sucked arse, the parties were outrageous, the experience was amazing.

Here are my top 15 things (in no particular order) I loved about it -

  1. Working The Hive with Craig Fisher
  2. Playing punch-em robots with Jonathan Brewer
  3. The Bloggers Lounge (Big shout out to DICE for creating this space for us to re-coop, eat, relax, eat bacon, hang with friends, drink, work, learn, collaborate and watch the general sessions)
  4. Walking the Exhibit Hall with Sabrina Baker
  5. Watching John Jorgensen work
  6. Partying like a rock star (Thanks to Glassdoor and SHRM for the Tweetup party at the House of Blues, as well as a get-together with friends from State SHRM chapters for a rock-n-roll bowling party)
  7. Seeing Ryan Estes
  8. Meeting with Tech Vendors and hearing all about “What’s New” in their world
  9. Reuniting with my online community
  10. Making new friends
  11. Learning from smart folks
  12. Watching HR folks dance
  13. Free swag
  14. Working & Collaborating with Sabrina Baker on the commute
  15. Having two flat tires – So I didn’t really love this. When I returned home Monday night from a long conference day I realized I had issues with my tires. Took them in the next morning and there were nails in my tires causing them to go flat! At least we made it there and back okay with no major issues (There’s always an up side).

IMHO, SHRM conferences keep getting better and better. Here’s a look at the SHRMOffical Instagram for more goodness!

Are you a Fluffer or the Real Thing?

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flufferMost of us know what a “fluffer” is because we weren’t born yesterday. For those of you who don’t know I’ll give you the run-down:

Fluffer – A hired crew member of an adult film to keep the male participant “engaged” before he has access to the real thing.

I tried putting that in a nice way.

Why am I discussing that over here at HR Virtual Cafe? Good question.

For the past several months I have been taking a step back and looking at the things I’ve got in my hand (ahem) and really trying to cut out those things that (a) are robbing my time (b) not part of my strategic approach to where I want to go (c) not making me money (d) getting in the way of my work and life and I’m trying to prioritize.

That being said, I’ve often wondered if my writing and my blog are somewhat looked at as a “fluffer” to the real pros out there who are writing great content and changing the world. Or, am I only taking up space and wasting my time.

My hope is that I’m providing somewhat great (and entertaining) content AND steering folks over to the other bloggers and pros out there who are doing an extraordinary job!

Here are a few things to consider when thinking “You may just be a Fluffer” in the blogging world:

  • Are you writing consistently? Some say the rule of thumb is 2-3 times per week – others say “Only write when you feel inspired or have something great to say.”
  • Are you providing real-life problem solving to your readers / potential readers questions and dilemmas? (Dwane Lay has caused me to rethink my blogging strategy)
  • Are you staying up-to-date with current and real life issues in your industry that should be addressed? It’s important to always be learning. There are great bloggers and authors out there who I continue to learn from every day. Face it, you don’t know everything and hearing other people’s experience and perspective is a great learning experience.
  • Are you simply writing to entertain or to change the world? We all need a little distraction and entertainment too!
  • Are folks coming back for more of you? Are you constantly “raising the bar” (pun intended) with your posts or are you stuck in a rut of nothing to say? If you are, take time away from your writing and work – take a walk, read a book or another blog and gain a new perspective. That usually helps. If not – give it up.

If you’re writing a blog simply because some guru told you that you needed to start a blog and you’re not passionate about what you do – it may be a good time to rethink your strategy. Not everyone should blog.

There was a time when I was hearing from every “Tom, Dick and Harry” out there that everyone needed to have a blog. We’ve seen this over and over but if it doesn’t align with your strategy, you don’t have a knack for writing, the end doesn’t justify the means, then maybe you should find something that you are better at – and get to it!

One day you may visit this blog and find “page not found” – but for now, I’m fluffing for the smart guys!

Here’s a great new list for you – just put out by Laurie Ruettiman “HRBN 40 under 40” – check it.

The 25 Most over-used words and phrases of 2012

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JANE: Shot July 8Happy New Year you guys. Hope you aren’t suffering too bad from a night of excess!

I thought it would be fun to do a little different slant on my New Year’s post from 2011 “New Year’s Resolutions, Baby Making and Tired Words” and gather a few of my friends and find out what the most over-used words and phrases were for 2012.

I get it – we are all over the Webs and we simply repeat what we hear. It’s fun and it’s catchy but there comes a point when we feel “If I hear that word one more time……………….” and that is probably the time to retire those words and phrases. Or not.

So I caught up with several of my Facebook friends in the HR space and asked them what they thought should be ‘kicked to the curb’ < (I think that phrase went out in the 90′s). Here’s what they said:

  1. Black Friday
  2. Create Synergy
  3. Authentic / Transparency
  4. Brand
  5. Strategic Alignment
  6. Employee Experience
  7. “You Rock”
  8. “WTF”
  9. “Circle back”
  10. War for talent
  11. Syndicate
  12. “Paul Hebert is Awesome” (and we all agree)
  13. ROI
  14. Cloud computing
  15. “Just sayin’”
  16. #FF (Follow Friday)
  17. Big Data
  18. At the end of the day ….. (sorry Teela)
  19. Thought leader
  20. Peeps or Tweeps
  21. Personal Brand
  22. Culture of Dependency
  23. Fiscal Cliff
  24. “Let’s take it offline”
  25. (And last but not least)  ”Engagement is a drinking word that blacks me out across all industries”

What are your favorites  picks?

Special thanks to all my friends who contributed -

insert pic of friends

And a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of you in 2013. Thanks for your continued support over here!

Photo Credit: FriendshipCircle

When HR is kicked to the Curb

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I can’t tell you how many emails, DM’s, Facebook Messages and LinkedIn messages I get from folks that are looking for work. And I don’t mind at all.

I love connecting folks with other people who are looking for prime candidates online and looking for referrals and recommendations from people they trust. That’s the new way of doing it.

With every new job posting it seems there are hundreds applying for that same position which can be very frustrating and overwhelming to someone in our current job market.

Even if you’ve gone to college and received a PHR, SPHR, GPHR or GOPHER (okay, I made this last one up) and have worked in your field of expertise for hump-teen-million years – you are not exempt from being laid off. It’s a fact!

It’s interesting and alarming that so many HR and Recruiter friends are the ones contacting me lately with the awful news of them finding themselves being laid off, canned, booted out of their long-term positions and some of them are frantic. I would be the same.

I will say it again folks, nothing is EVER a sure thing.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’ve found yourself in this position and are in job-search mode:

  • Network: Try and stay connected online and off. You may just connect to the right person that can make that introduction to a key connection that will help you get that next gig.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to your connections and let them know (like folks are doing with me – and that’s cool). Sometimes you just have to open that mouth (or email) and let others know your business. We all need support. And again, your connections may be key in helping you get that next opportunity.
  • Keep your certifications up to date. Go to conferences and sit through all the boring sessions if you have to.
  • Continue to pour any and every kind of knowledge in the ole brain. And no, you don’t already don’t everything there is to know. If nothing else, it will help you maintain your sanity. (Note: Try to refrain from all the Alien shows. You don’t want to mention those in your next interview)

It hurts my heart when I receive an email from a friend (especially a smart and savvy HR friend) telling me they were just let go. I immediately go into a mode where I’m looking through all my connections to see who I can connect them with that can help, wracking my brain for a job posting I’ve seen across the Webs that have been shared by my recruiter friends and struggling to try and see how I can help them in their search.

As I stated yesterday on a status update “It takes a Village.” But if you haven’t invested time in building that Village before you need it I just don’t see how you are going to survive this new way of the social job search incorporated into your strategy.

Being able to connect and pull from those said Villagers is key in getting ahead in your job search in today’s social savvy marketplace.

For more info on how to develop social into your job search strategy check out Discovering Social’s “Defining your Personal Brand.”

Halloween sluts and office parties

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I love going to my online community from time to time and asking for guest posts. It’s always a good idea to mix things up. I am blessed to have an amazing community of folks I can ask to help out and today is no different. Not only do I love this title the post makes great points. Thank you Nisha Raghavan (our HR Buddy) for your contribution.

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I always commend building a friendly environment, maintaining relationships better through socialization and fun gatherings at work. And I personally looked forward to all those special days when I could possibly call for and arrange festivities in the office. Of course, Halloween is one of the most enjoyable times of the year at work and it is right around the corner.

We often find ourselves entangled in the trick and treat of every day work at the office! And these kinds of celebrations can help leave the stress out of our busy schedules and get into a much more casual atmosphere. If you are one of those who are fascinated with the concept of Halloween, you most definitely will wear an awesome costume to work!

The entertainment can be unlimited with all sorts of weird and funny costume possibilities and other fun activities like pumpkin carving competitions, dreadful cubicle and creepy office decorations. And trick or treats especially with the kids of employees cutely dressed up like little pumpkins, action heroes or their favorite Disney characters. My niece loved to be dress up as Rapunzel along with that long blond hair every single year!

Chances are people might go wild at your office Halloween party and assume that everything is acceptable in the name of celebration! But it is not. And I hate that, as an HR person, I need to police people during this delightful occasion.

However here are a few tips that you may want to keep in mind before you go wild.

No Hide and Seek: Make an active participation. I have noticed most of the times a few employees refuse to show up in a costume and try to be serious throughout the day. Come on, it is time for fun and try to go with the flow by getting yourself involved in the celebrations and if possible volunteer your help to co-ordinate the festivities.

No Slutty costumes :D ress up for the Culture. If your work is such that you have client meetings daily you probably don’t want to show up looking like pregnant Snooki or in Slutty cheer leader costume (anything that can be deemed too sexy or politically incorrect). So be sure to read the dress code if your HR has issued one and if not use your common sense in wearing something suitable to the culture of your organization.

No dirty Dancing: When your office party kicks off into full swing chances are someone may go out of their mind in the celebration mood. Don’t be the guy to do dirty dancing with your female coworker. Remember people are watching you and you might be surprised to see your photos flooding through social media sites next day which can hurt your career!

No playful gibes: You might look for an occasion to take a playful gibe at your Boss in return for his bullying. Don’t take that chance, He might be drinking with you and encourage you to be casual. Remember he is still your boss; whatever you do in the name of celebration might not end there.

No plus one: Unless you get a notice to bring your friend outside of your work, don’t invite anyone and make them and the company feel uncomfortable.

No flirting: Do that outside of your office and don’t think no one is watching you. You might feel everyone is busy with the celebration and might not bother you guys. But we can see you.

Photo Credit: iStock Photo

About the Author:

Nisha Raghavan-Your HR Buddy!!  is a Talent Management Professional and a blogger who likes to paint her thoughts with the shades of HR at 
http://nisharaghavan.com/
. She writes about Work Culture, Employee Relations, Organization Development and engaging employees with Employee Engagement Initiatives. Her experience in the corporate world was as an HR Deputy Manager from Reliance Communications Limited, India where she specialized in orchestrating Talent Management & Development. Currently she is settled in Dallas and enjoys doing Acrylic and oil paintings in her free time. She is a contributing author at WomenOfHR.com and SocialBusinessNews.com . Connect with her on Twitter @Thehrbuddy.

Catching up w/@DougShaw1 discussing HR, Culture, and Conferences! #WatchThis

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I love meeting folks for Google+ hangouts and hosting video interviews. Yesterday was no exception.

I chatted with my friend @DougShaw1 right before he was heading to the States to speak at the Ohio SHRM Conference from his hometown of London, and we decided at that time that it would be great to reconnect after his visit here to discuss the conference, the experience of meeting online connection IRL and more and here’s our video hangout.

Shouts out to John Jorgensen for giving insight into the conference planning and so forth during this chat. Take a look>

HERE IS DOUG’s VIDEO on Strategic Planning

I love Doug’s style, humor and insight into Human Capital Management as I’m sure you now do. Make sure to connect with him online:

Follow him > Twitter

LIKE his page > Facebook

Link up with him > LinkedIn

Circle the guy > Google+

Watch his videos > Youtube

See his goods > Website

Photo Credit: socialtimes

Think twice before posting that pic to Instagram!

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We’re still in HR Conference mode with two extraordinary conferences here in Chicago this weekend (HR Technology Conference and HRevolution) and then a couple more the end of October (SHRM’s Diversity and SHRM’s Work-Flex Conferences).

These conferences are great and have some of the best speakers and sessions on what’s up in Human Resource Management and also gives us a chance to hang out with fellow HR folk and talk shop – whether it’s the latest technology or the idiot at work who wrongfully tweeted crap about our current President.

They also give us a chance to hang out, get to know each other in a more personal way with all the after hour parties and such.

TAKE HEED

That being said, I think it’s safe to say that keeping in mind that your online brand matters, especially when attending these HR parties (or even your own WORK parties).

We all love Instagram and the ability to immediately share pics of us with our online friends we meet IRL (in real life) and show the world that we think we’re important cause we’re hobnobbing with the cool kids.

But let’s get something straight – posting pics on Instagram and sharing to Facebook or Twitter the one of you dancing on the bar while using the #hashtag of the event,  is gonna bite you in the rear come Monday when you go back to the office. You’re likely to hear the phrase “I’m sorry. You’re no longer employed here.”

Then you’re doing the job search thingy and find that everything has spiraled out of control in your little world. You may even have a heart attack when someone tells you “I’m sorry you’re just not a good fit for the job” because they can’t get that party pic outta their head.

Okay, I know this sounds a little extreme, but this stuff happens. It not only makes you look “wild and crazy” but it takes away from the purpose of the event and sharing socially. It diminishes it, really.

We’ve come so far with Social Business and Social Sharing in the world of work and especially at our conferences in keeping those informed who were not able to attend the conference. Why would we want to ruin it and take us all back to the year 2000? (It only takes one bad apple)

So this is just a friendly reminder to think before you post. Whether at a conference, a church picnic or at work.

And as our friend William TinCup always reminds us “Just use common sense.”

#FF @CarolynMWalsh – Outstanding HR Leader in Transition

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Hello friends. Hope this Friday is being good to you. I’ve wanted to share this special #Follow Friday edition for a few weeks now and have finally gotten around to it.

I always love highlighting fellow Human Resource professionals whether they are TrenchHR folk, Consultants, or in transition and looking for that next opportunity to share their fabulous skills and knowledge. Today is no exception with one of favorites who not only lives 20 minutes from me, has a fabulous pedigree (I mean that with all due respect) but is also a friend.

Who is this famous person? I’m glad you asked.

Carolyn not only is a vital member of our local HR Roundtable but has become a part of our Discovering Social team helping Job Seekers in their job search strategy. She brings so many things to the table that make for such a complement to our team.

She tells us in her own words that she’s a strategic, versatile Human Resources Professional who has taken the road less traveled to HR and has acquired early management trainee rotations and management experience in Accounting and Operations.

She has a background in organization effectiveness and responsibilities for HR strategy, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruiting and training. She has key insight into  integrating talent management processes to move business strategy forward, and on a tactical level consulting with leaders to bring those processes to life on a daily basis. She makes it happen, ya’ll.

When she steps away from the HR highway, you’ll find her conducting one on one coaching sessions at a local career center, consulting with nonprofits, or delivering job search training for Illinois Worknet clients.

Carolyn was also a key volunteer for Illinois SHRM this last year in that she helped me create the first ever mobile conference app, sharing countless hours of her time assisting me with not only the app, but anything else I needed her to do. She is always willing to help when asked. I appreciate that about her and she always does what she says she will do. Very thorough.

Her Specialties include:

HR Strategy & Planning, Talent Management, Organization Effectiveness, Change Management, Project Management, Employee Relations, Performance Management

Check out her certifications (I bow down)

Certified in MBTI, DISC, Strong, Firo-B and Rowe Career Assement Inventories; Course work toward Six Sigma Greenbelt and CCP

I don’t even know what some of those mean and yet I’m totally impressed :)

The bottom line

So here’s the thing. Carolyn is not only in transition at the present, but is expanding her brand on social media and YOU need to connect with her. Not only cause she’s one.smart.cookie. and a great person, but to see how you can help her with a possible career fit within your network for her next career move. I know you can do it – you are all so well connected and always willing to help a brother (sister) out.

So connect with her HERE > @CarolynMWalsh (the Twitters), LinkedIn.

Let’s give her a warm, online welcome. Shall we?

Photo Credit: BusinessBraggerBlog