Tag Archives: SHRM Conferences

Review and Demo of @SlideKlowd – a Game-changer app for Events, Conferences and Training

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slideklowd

I’m on vacation in sunny California so I thought I would pull a few of my favorites from the archives. Check these folks out. 

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You never know who you’re going to connect with on the Twitters.

Back a few months I had tweeted a post in regard to me preparing for my SHRM Work/Flex presentation and happened to mention my Powerpoint. I received a follow from @SlideKlowd and checked into who they were – as I often do before simply clicking the ole “follow” button.

Upon my investigation I found out more about their amazing mobile and desktop app that allows greater engagement between presenters and their audiences whether it’s at conferences or events, online hangouts or training. I was so excited about the possibility of doing away with “the way we’ve always done it” and having to fill out those paper surveys after a conference session or keynote, for one. Secondly, I see how this can tremendously affect the way we communicate and present future events and / or training for HR and beyond.

Just think about the possibilities of having real-time engagement with your audience and being able to walk away with REAL data. I guess it could be terrifying to presenters who are boring and those who can’t engage an audience and the like.

My next step was to follow them back online and hear more about their product and services so I did just that. I was hoping to use SlideKlowd at my presentation in October but it was cutting it short.

I sat in with my new-found connection > Justin Foster, one of the founders of SlideKlowd, in a private one-on-one Webinar to share more about what they offered and I fell head over hills with this product. I like it so much, in fact, that I told several of my HR buds about it and scheduled a Google+ hangout for Justin to present the demo to them.

hangout with SlideKlowd

Here is the hangout >

Thanks Justin, for a superb job and for the fantastic job you guys are doing at creating a greater way to drive engagement.

Oh, you’ll want to check them out at SlideKlowd.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. I can’t recommend them enough.

Here is their latest video introduction.

A time and a place – for cleavage!

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I’ve been to so many conferences and networking functions this past year – I can’t even see straight. It’s a good thing though. We must get out of our PJ’s and out into the REAL WORLD once in awhile or we start saying things like, “I’m not gonna hurt ya, I’m gonna bash your brains in” (Okay, maybe that’s a little rough – and for those of you who may not know, comes from the movie “The Shining”).

But I must say, I’ve seen way too much cleavage at these “work” functions.

Cleavage is not a bad thing, but when we see it in the workplace (especially on a daily basis), at a work networking event, at every conference you attend, or fill in the ___________________, then I start wondering “What’s with these people?”

I really would rather look them in the eye and not be distracted. Imagine what it’s doing to the men folk around you?

Now for the record, I have great cleavage. But IMHO, there’s a place for it.

In fact, when I first started in sales in a male dominated industry and my clientele was made up of construction workers and the trades – it totally helped increase my sales and made me “stand out” (pun intended) from among my peers.

And I broke my own rule recently of showing too much cleavage at a recent event I was speaking at just hoping that in case my presentation sucked, I would keep the audience amused. (I kid)

But let me just get my point out there since this is my blog, I’m tired of looking at your cleavage. It looks like (as one friend pointed out) a baby’s ass poking through your blouse. And you’re better than that!

My point is, there is a time and a place for all things (even cleavage). Not sure that HR conferences, our offices, business networking events or during work hours is the place. Be smart. Dress appropriately.

Save it for the crazy HR after parties.

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.”

Stop:You’re Killing Me with your BORING Presentations!

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A lot of you know, and some of you don’t, that I have been working on my last presentation of the year for SHRM’s Work Flex conference here in Chicago, October 23rd and 24th.

This will be my last conference I attend for 2012, and yes, I’m honored to be speaking on the 24th on “Gaining a Competitive Edge in a High Tech World.”

Having said that, I have been putting off the actual PowerPoint presentation for my session and have been losing sleep over it for months now. I have literally laid there awake in bed thinking “How am I gonna pull this off and add some excitement to my presentation?” You know, keep everyone awake. I love using humor but sometimes it’s very dry and not everyone gets it, especially HR.

If there’s anything I hate, it’s a boring presentation. I have been in numerous sessions and some were good and some, not so good. Some just simply put me to sleep. And I get that some HR topics aren’t the most exciting things to discuss and yet have to be brought “to the table.”

I love when I finally get up before a group and speak but it’s the anxiety before it actually takes place that almost puts me in the grave.

Even when I used to travel professionally and sing in front of thousands I would work myself into a frenzy right before only to get out there and do my thang and LOVE it! They say a little nervousness before something like this is good for you, or normal, but I’m not so sure.

So I wanted to take this awesome opportunity from my friends at SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) with whom I am a regular contributor over at WeKnowNext, and do it up right. You know, do something different that would actually take a ho-hum presentation to a spectacular, technical masterpiece (cough, cough). And since the topic has to do with “setting yourself apart” from the rest and incorporating technology into the workplace, I wanted to be able to do that in my presentation.

There’s nothing worse than seeing a presentation with massive amounts of statistics and data and or hundreds of bullet points. Learning to present like Steve Jobs is something I’ve been studying for awhile now. Steve mostly used pictures (after all, a pictures worth a thousand words, right?) in his presentations and captured the attention of the audience through various means but he kept it simple and that’s something I wish most folks would do.

There were a few who did this at this past year’s Illinois SHRM conference and I was captivated. They were very effective and kept us entertained and we learned something in the process.

STOP it, I beg you, with your overload of information and keep it simple, stupid!

I finished my presentation just yesterday and I must say, I’m glad that it’s finished. I know there are a few things to fine tune, but the overall presentation, content and use of technology (in going with the theme), I FEEL, is good – though I can’t make any promises. But then again, I often think things are funny, when they aren’t to anyone else.

I am passionate about sharing with others how to incorporate the use of social technology into their strategy for their businesses and organizations and I’m hoping they’ll catch that wave of excitement and be entertained along the way.

I’ll gladly share the presentation on my SlideShare afterward for those of you who won’t be able to attend.

Wish me luck!

Photo Credit: GeekoSystem

I’m a SHRMinator – Up next, #ILSHRM12

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So this weekend, my friends and I head out to Oak Brook, IL to attend the annual Illinois State Conference of the Society of Human Resource Management . It just so happens, I was given the title “Social Media Chair” for the conference and was able to bring a lot of my online blogging and social media HR friends to be a part of my Social Media Press Team. Check out the team, if you aren’t connected with them, you should be.

We’ll be sharing the conference sessions on our blogs (including this one), on The Twitters, Facebook and wherever else we can find space to share. So, if you’re not into that kind of thing, tune out for a few days starting Sunday.

I hope you’ll stay with us as we run with it. It’s sure to be a grand conference, it always is. They do it up with a BANG! This year, we even have a first ever Mobile App, which I was glad to have been a part of the creation process. (Thank you @DonnaRogers – ILSHRM State Director, @JohnJorgensen – State Conference Director, and @DaveRyan – ILSHRM Director of Social Media)

Last year was my first time attending ILSHRM, and I was blown away by the caliber of folks speaking and those with whom I was able to meet in person. Taking that online experience into the real world, if you will. Although some of us would rather live in a cave and never come out except to eat, it’s good every now and again to meet up in person and have a beer together. Just don’t overdo the alcohol or you get stupid.

So, for more of an in-depth look into the conference go to the conference website, follow along on the Twitters with the hashtag #ILSHRM12, and stay tuned for some good stuff soon to come your way.

Oh, I almost forgot. I’ve got some good news next week after the conference on a new venture.So stay tuned and have a fabulous weekend friends.

Social Media; Policy and Privacy #WatchThis

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I haven’t posted anything from #SHRM12 (ON PURPOSE) these past couple of weeks because I’ve been dreaming of SHRM and that’s just weird.

After tweeting and blogging before, during and after #SHRM12 I came back only to start hitting it hard and heavy for #ILSHRM12 that is only a month away. I’ve been lying awake at night thinking of all that still needs to be done, what could be added to make it a greater experience, and thank God – I finally finished the mobile app I’ve been working on for several months now.

With that being said, here’s a great video from leading HR experts in the “Hive” at #SHRM12 on “Social Media and Policy.” This video gives great insight  from some outstanding folks, two of which, are employment attorneys.

In this video are Heather Bussing, Elizabeth Lalli-Reese, Maren Hogen and John Sumser – some of the finest folks in the HR space. Take a look – and make sure to connect with these folks.

Here’s a FREE E-Book from SHRM that discusses Social Media Strategy for Human Resources.

Are your employees on social media? What are your questions?

Photo Credit: AssociationTrends

A deeper look into #SHRM12′s “The Hive” #WatchThis

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And here’s a great interview with SHRM’s own Social Media Guy discussing how the HIVE came into play.

Special Thanks

Thanks to SHRM and DICE for creating such an amazing space for social learning right on site of their 2012 conference.

Sabrina Baker and I discuss #SHRM12 (Video)

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Happy Friday friends. Sabrina Baker and I got together to share what we are most looking forward to on our trip to SHRM12 in Atlanta. Yes, we are taking a road trip from Chicago and driving the 12 hour drive. Should be fun. Take a look >

Follow the back channel on Twitter with the hashtag #SHRM12 and follow us on Instagram at @SabrinaLBaker and @SusanAvello.

Here’s a little extra:

Credits: Sabrina Baker, Acacia HR Solutions, HR Chatterbox.