How Diverse Are We? (day 2)

Mt. Battie just after sunrise.

Mt. Battie just after sunrise, shrouded in fog.

Day #2 began early, very early, with blogging and then a run into Camden at sunrise. It ended much later, visiting and old friend in Rockland. In-between, my second day at the Samoset for the #MEHRC2013 convention brought the following:

  •  Cy Wakeman and reality-based rules for the workplace and leadership

  • Diversity and HR’s role facilitating that journey, with Shilpa Pherwani (my favorite workshop)

  • Networking with old friends

  • Pamela Green unleashing HR’s power

  • Networking with new friends

  • A late afternoon swim

  • Visiting with an old friend in Rockland Continue reading

Social Media: Can HR manage it?

The wrap-up of my Maine Human Resources Convention  2012 occurred during Wednesday’s 3:00 pm workshop in the Keynote Ballroom. The topic, “Social Media in the Life Cycle of the Employment Relationship.”

Four attorneys from Bernstein Shur delivered one of the most important workshops taking place during the entire conference, yet there were probably only 100 people present in a room that holds more than 500. This didn’t surprise me because as a group, the Maine Human Resources community is poorly positioned relative to social media. I offer this insight, not to criticize, but to raise awareness and to try to raise a red flag about an issue that is only going to grow in importance for them, both from a compliance standpoint, but maybe more important,  in the context of how it is changing the culture of work. As the old-timers are want to say, “the horse has already left the barn” on that one. Continue reading

Creating content for conventions

Being at a conference like the Maine Human Resources Convention 2012 compels me to put up conference-centric content on my blog. While not everyone is a blogger, I find that each time I make the effort to represent even a small fraction of all that’s going on here at The Samoset during my stay will result in a return on my blogging investment in new followers, as well as increased traffic to my new website/blog. I also enjoy creating a personal snapshot; another benefit personally is that it also provides a vehicle for me to process everything happening around me. Continue reading

Becoming HR

After an exciting book launch weekend, the JBE is off to the Samoset in Rockport for a whirlwind two days at this year’s Maine HR Convention, aka #MEHRC2012 (that’s Twitterspeak). Well, at least that’s the #hashtag that those of us on Twitter came up with based upon past conventions.

The Maine HR Convention is an interesting gathering. This year, more than 800+ HR professionals and ancillary attendees gather for four days of HR-related banter, workshops, and my favorite—A-list speakers. I also appreciate the networking opportunities my two days will afford me. Continue reading