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A Matter of Perspective in HR
Jul 23
See that house in the picture? It was built in Ridley Creek State Park, just outside Philadelphia, in 1736. Two hundred and fifty-two years ago that house was the best and brightest house around. It functioned as a mill and a home to the family who built it. Which made me think about our view of time in HR.
A few questions:
- When did long-term (as in “incentives”) become 3 years?
- How many performance management “systems” has your company had in the last 10 years?
- What happened to “Built to Last”?
What HR program or system are you working on right now that will stand the test of time?
Hell, it’s easy to get a bunch of consultants who help you implement the program du jour. It’s easy to copy what other companies are doing. It’s easy to do a bunch of training instead of implementing systems.
What’s tough — and what will last — is thinking up big ideas, having the guts to stick with them when you know you’re right, and thinking about time in increments bigger than year-to-year.
How about that? Will people be looking at your HR house in 250 years?
About the Author
Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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Dear Frank,
I share your name and must say even as a nationally touring comedian it is hard to keep up w your buzz. This article re the 250 year old house was thought provoking, eye opening and brilliant. Frank, thank you, you are making us BOTH look good. ttyl. (ps. you and yours are on my guest list whenever i play within reach)———————Frank Roche (the funny one)
Hi Frank,
I follow your stuff online. It’s a long story, but I have been told “You’re no Chris Rock,” and “You’re not funny” more times than I care to remember. (The Chris Rock thing had to do with me saying, “It was funny when Chris Rock said it.”)
I’m glad to see that you’re the funny Frank Roche. I look at you as my alter ego, the guy I wished I’d been. Hey, it’s hard being funny in HR. (Unless you’re Scott Adams, but that gigi is taken.)
I’m totally going to go to one of your shows. I should post that on my sidebar here…when the Funny Frank Roche is playing. I’ll do that today. Nice hearing from you, bro.
I have been in Human Resources for over 30 years and have seen the Program of the Month come and go ad nauseum. MBO, TQM, Culture, etc. The sad fact is that this constant parade of programs has eroded the faith employees have in management. How many times have I heard… “Here is another X!O# program we’ll have to suffer through.”
I’m even amused at how we keep putting new labels on the same old wine bottles and thinking it’s new. My favorite new term is: “On Boarding.”
I can’t prove it, but my suspicion is that overall not much has changed other than the technology.
Ron, I’m with you…I’ve been around for all of those, too. (I must admit I liked MBOs back in the day. Clear line of sight.)
It’s too funny how programs are relabeled and books are written…all for the same thing.
Good old management hasn’t changed much…technology sure has, but I’m afraid a lot of it is about making mistakes quicker.
Hi Frank,
You continue to out do yourself. This article is great! Although I have not been around as long as some, I have been in the HR departments in Government, Small Business and Gov’t Contractors. The one thing they all have in common is… nothing, nothing applies to them. Government thinks nothing applies to them and they give employees great benefits and plenty of time off. Small business give employees almost nothing and nothing applies to them. Then Gov’t contractors just do whatever they want and nothing applies to them. Stay power you ask? Not even the government who has had the same employees there since 1960 has the same HR systems and practices that they had last year.
dear Frank,
i'm headlining Sambucas in Harrisburg, PA Jan. 9th and 10th, I'd love to have you on my guest list with whoever you would like to bring, and we have plenty of time. ttys -Frank
Hey Frank (really great name), I'm gonna make it there. And I'm going to post a link to your show…This is going to be fun.