I Don’t Need a Weatherman to Tell Me If It’s Raining at My House

Isn’t it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists?
–Kelvin Throop III

This ends Economic Downturn Week at KnowHR. I don’t have to tell you about how the economy is doing, you can walk around and observe it yourself.

There is a certain contingent of economists who would like to deny that we’re in a recession, as if the definition of “recession” is written in stone. When those know-it-alls start talking, I look at these quotes and chuckle.

No matter your take on the economy, doing the right thing in HR is always the right thing to do. Even an economist couldn’t argue with that.

Sometimes Things Aren’t Broken, They Just Need a Different Level of Analysis

I like an escalator because an escalator can never break, it can only become stairs. There would never be an escalator temporarily out of order sign, only an escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.
–Mitch Hedberg

Where’s the Diversity in HR?

I was thinking about HR’s homogeneity this morning as I was walking Snickers the Wonder Dog. (I need to get a hobby.) And although there is generally a Diversity position in HR, I’m not talking about that. Nor am I talking about outward appearances. I’m talking about the dearth of businesspeople in HR.

People I know in HR who are super successful have one thing in common: They’re businesspeople through and through. Sure, they know the technical aspects of HR — that’s a base requirement — but beyond that, they know what it’s like to ask people for money. Or make operations work. Or care about the bottom line. They talk in plain language and aren’t dazzled by the latest “management” trend. They’re, in a word, solid.

So, where’s the diversity in HR? How about hiring a few more businesspeople?

Why Doesn’t HR Talk to the Press More Often?

Why don’t HR executives talk to the press more often? With “people being our most important asset,” you would think that HR executives would have a big story to tell. Why don’t they?

Is their reluctance because PR now runs the media show and scares everyone with creepy tales of a career derailed by a comment misquoted? Is it because senior management doesn’t want HR to be the voice of the company? Is it because HR doesn’t have anything to say?

It bugs me to see those negative executive pay stories that run every year without a single HR executive standing up to correct the information and explain what it takes to get executive talent.

Why doesn’t HR talk to the press more often? It doesn’t make sense to me. I say, if you have something to say, then say it. You don’t report to PR. Tell them that.

PEBA’s 26th Annual Forum is Tomorrow

Sarah Chambers and I will be presenting at PEBA’s 26th Annual Forum tomorrow in Philadelphia. Our talk is titled, “How Do You Say ‘Communicate’ in Baby Boomer, Gen X and Millennial?” We have lots of pictures and a few videos to show. We’re on at 1:30pm. Here’s the details for the day:

PEBA’s 26th Annual Forum
The New Workforce

Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Philadelphia Marriott
12th & Market Streets

Time Event
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. ……..Registration, Breakfast, Exhibits Open
8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. ……..Morning Session
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. …..Keynote Speaker/ Exhibits Open
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. …..Legislative Update/ Exhibits Open
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. …….Lunch/ Exhibits Open
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ……..Grand Prize Drawing
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ……..Afternoon Session

Here’s what we said we’d talk about: “Communication” means different things to different generations. While memos and meetings were sufficient for Baby Boomers, the Millennials expect YouTube and MySpace. Never the twain shall meet? Not necessarily. We’ll discuss current research and applied HR communication practice in organizations. We’ll talk about what works (authenticity) and what doesn’t (withholding information). We’ll talk multimedia and multitasking. We’ll discuss mass customization to get the biggest bang for your communication buck.

I’d better put the finishing touch on the slides this morning. (NB: We won’t be using PowerPoint.)

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