HRCleanUp

I'm Reading The Kite Runner

I'm reading Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner.  The story is fantastic and I can't put it down!  The story follows the life of Amir--the privileged son of  a successful rug merchant--in Afghanistan.  Not only is the story really good but the geography/history lesson that is interwoven is also really good.

And that leads me to the point.  Here we are in the land of Global opportunity and as a typical American I keep finding that I know very little about the rest of the world.  The events that unfold in Husseini's book were never spoken about in my home growing up or in any of my classes in school--at least not often enough to sink in. 

I wonder how we as competent HR business leaders are supposed to quickly get up to speed on both current and past world events?  We wonder why groups "don't get along" because we see the world through American eyes.  Conflict in our world is rarely generational or ethnic...we generally believe that anyone can be anyone here in America. That is why ethnic struggles or caste systems befuddle us.

Since our past can't be undone and our future remains wide open, I look forward to making lots of mistakes as I learn more about the world!

Asynchronous Training

Generation Y, they are all about learning.  So why do they still resist traditional classroom training?  At most companies it is easier to change dental plans than it is to get people to attend a half day of training.  I spend quite a lot of time advising business leaders on how to get people into the classroom.  However, I'm thinking that we need to update our delivery approach for much of the information that we deliver via training, company meetings, and the company intranet.

I was on the subway the other day, and I ran across this advertisement for the new Sony eBook.  The idea is that we can now download books into a portable device.  No more lugging around heavy books and at the same time, we can now browse titles online vs having to go to the bookstore (which is something I love to do and will refuse to stop doing). I got to thinking--why not put training programs into eBook form?  I know some companies are already handing employees a preloaded iPod--complete with the orientation program and I know some organizations are flirting with the iPhone.  But the eBook, I think, holds promise.  For one, the screen is a reasonable size, for another, it is a tool for reading.  I like that, too. Plus, it is tablet form so that will make it easier to "curl up with" than a traditional laptop. 

What do you think?  eBook as a training platform?  Let me know.

Harry Potter Update-Ron's Back

Ron Weasley's back.  Thank god.  He apparated back into to Harry and Hermione's life just a few pages ago and, in fact, saved Harry's life in a matter of seconds.  Hermione is still a bit angry but I think she'll get over it.

The bonds we form at work are hard to break.

Have you considered letting x-employee's back into the family?  Your former employees may make great future employees.  Do you have an Alumni Association for your people?  If you don't, it is a great idea to start one.  With the advent of all the social networking sites like Facebook, Linked-In, MySpace, etc., it has become a lot easier to track people down.

So here's a suggestion--yet your HR intern busy.  They know how all of these sites work.  Get them to set up an Alumni space for you.  Then, invite all of your former employees and interns join.  Keep them engaged with the company, invite them to an open house to see how you've changed, and encourage them to apply to new and exciting jobs.

You'll be glad you did.  "Boomeranger's" make great re-employed people.  They actually know how good they've got it!

BTW, Voldamort is still at large but Harry, Ron, and Hermione are taking steps to save to save the world.

Harry Potter and what's up with Ron Weasley

OK, I'm halfway through Harry Potter and Ron Weasley just up and left Poor Harry and Hermione alone, in  a tent, in the woods desperately trying to escape Voldamort.  What happened to teamwork and sticking together?  Ron just up and apperated leaving Harry and Hermione to fend for themselves. 

I really do hope that Ron comes back or has something up his sleeve (pun intended)--I can't imagine leaving my friends to wage a battle without me.

So, that got me thinking...how often do we leave our managers alone to fight the battle with little or no support?  We tell them to "stay within budget", "give your people 2% raises and tell them to like it", and the ever popular "rank your people--now lay off the bottom 10%".  All fun managerial activities.  Why does anyone actually want to be in management?  Front-line managers are the core of our businesses yet we treat them like unwelcome guests at a party when they need something or when they fail.  Making sure that manager's are well equipped both mentally and supported professionally is something that almost all organizations can do a better job with.

So, the next time you see a manager that works for you, ask them "how are you doing?" and "do you have the resources to do your job?"--you'll be amazed at the answers you get.  Then, if things are not right, do something about it.

Oh, and Ron Weasley...you had better show up in a later chapter.

Harry Potter and the Human Resources Department

I’m not sure where I’m going to go with this but everyone around me is reading the new Harry Potter book—you know, the one where somebody dies in the end.  We all know it is going to be a showdown between Lord Voldamort and Harry Potter. 

   

What do you think it would be like to be the Director of Human Resources at Hogwarts?  Think of the policies and procedures you would need to have in place if your employees could travel via the flue network or conjure up evil demons in seconds flat?  Do you allow magic wands or do your employees need to check them in with security? 

   

For some reason, I don’t think they have an HR department.  However, if I were the director of Human Resources at Hogwarts, I know these things to be true:

1.       I would partner with senior leadership to stamp out evil

2.       We would all get a half day on Friday’s in the Summer to watch Quiddich

3.       Harry would triumph in the end

   

I'm on page 97.