HR and Marketing Are Best Friends...Or Should Be

Did you ever wish you could get time back?  I do, particularly when I think about all of the meetings, strategy sessions, focus groups and vendor calls all intended to help me decide on the best creative campaign for my recruitment advertising needs.  Yes, a SEPARATE ad campaign from the rest of the organization’s advertising efforts.  Why?  Because every modern organization was built in “Silo-ville” that’s why.  God forbid we actually integrate our strategies, messaging, and creative ideas to maximize the brand!

The Good Ol’ Days Sucked

The examples listed above are all true experiences from my “formative years” in HR.  I actually worked in an organization that required Nursing leaders to approve the creative ads for various recruitment initiatives.  Since when are Nurses, or HR staff for that matter, the Marketing professionals?  Guess what, they’re not.  I submit that neither group should be making those decisions. 

Happy Days Are Here Again…for the 1st Time

Gone now are the days of competing ad campaigns with Marketing, interference from others, and a mixed message to our external customers about the organization. Now HR and Marketing are completely integrated relative to creative advertising, communication strategies including the extensive use of social media, our evolving exploration of a Talent Community as well as the general coordination of production. 

We meet weekly to ensure every detail is managed efficiently and professionally.  The results have been nothing short of fantastic.  Check out our facebook page to take a quick look at what teamwork can produce.

How About You

Are you still pretending to be a Marketing professional?  Do you have vendors pitch their programs to you with promises of great results for your recruitment blitz plan?  What about your company’s overall Marketing plan?  Do you meet regularly with the leadership in that area to ensure you maximize the message, the spend, and the brand?  On second thought, please don’t.  While you’re wasting all that time and money confusing your customers, I can make my move.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


pics courtesy of corporate-eye and my iPhone

Killswitch Engage...Your Job

“Things don’t feel quite right in this job.  It’s not that the people are bad, aren’t committed to doing good work, or are disengaged.  But there’s something missing…it’s hard to describe.  I get along with my colleagues, but somehow I don’t think I fit here anymore.”

Have you ever felt this way? It can be a lonely and scary place, particularly in an economy as tight as this one.  But what should you do? Maybe the time is right to begin looking for something new?  It’s almost an impossible topic considering the staggering unemployment rate right now though, isn't it?

“…somehow I don’t think I fit here anymore…”  That voice keeps pushing you.

Hopeless to Hopeful

Before you hit the kill switch on your current position, invest the time and develop a search strategy.  There are great resources available to help you make good decisions, not hurried or emotional ones. Simply because you happen to be in a difficult spot right now doesn’t mean you’ll be there forever.  In fact, it can be quite empowering to make the decision to leave a position that simply is not satisfying at all.  I know, because I’ve been there.

Burning Bridges Are Difficult to Cross

I recently interviewed someone who is frustrated in his current position.  He’s bright, motivated and eager to be in an environment that has hacked up traditional HR.  But he went out of his way to avoid criticizing his current employer.  Instead, he expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity that exists in moving out of his current role versus tearing down his employer.  Big difference - and one that did not go unnoticed.

How About You

Are you feeling like you are the “bad fit” at work?  It’s okay.  Take control of your life, form a plan, and move ahead. Nothing lasts forever, including the nagging feeling you’re experiencing right now.  Let me know if I can help.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


pic courtesy of killswitch

Professional Boundaries Get In The (My) Way

I learned a lot about boundaries in graduate school.  I studied social work which has turned out to be incredibly valuable training in a world based on effective relationships.  In school we talked about not getting too involved, keeping our distance, not telling others what to do, but rather helping people find their own way.

Well…ahem…that doesn’t necessarily translate to real life now does it?

But I Know What To Do

This is really the challenge when it comes to professional boundaries, isn’t it?  We want to jump in and help.  But it’s more than that…we want to solve the other person’s problem.  Now we’re getting somewhere!  Results we can see, feel and experience.  Aren’t we terrific?  Damn right we are.  Except we’re not living that person’s life.  They are.  And that makes the whole thing so much more complicated.

Where Is That Boundary Anyway?

Have you ever said something and immediately wished you could pull those words right back out of the air?  Me too.  Lots of times.  It seems to me that moment of panic comes as we realize we’ve just crossed the proverbial boundary line. 

If only there was some sort of flashing beacon that let me know: Danger, Stupid Moment About to Occur!  But alas, no such tool is available outside of ourselves.  We must rely on personal discipline to recognize when that boundary is approaching.

Think With Your Ears

The strategy that has proven most effective for me is to focus on what I'm hearing as the other person shares their story.  The danger is to jump ahead inside our head and begin preparing our solution for them.  It’s not that we won’t come up with a useful idea that they may in fact try out.  But if we begin formulating a plan before we’ve heard everything that is being shared with us, we risk at a minimum offering advice that is off-base; or worse yet, insulting the person because we don’t fully understand their situation.  Leverage the power of listening in your boundary awareness work.

How About You

Are you going to “help” someone today?  If so, do you plan on being a know-it-all?  Or, will you be the one that takes the time to listen, connect, and leverage the relationship building opportunity at hand and avoid crossing that ever-moving boundary line?

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

pics courtesy of  watiyusuf and wl4j4life

HR Rap Session Today!

Many thanks to my friend Chris Fields for inviting me to pariticpate in the latest version of HR Rap Session.  I'm hanging out with @DwaneLay and @incblot so in spite of me, you know it has to be good!

Check it out!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

An Offer You Shouldn't Refuse

I’ve noticed an increasing number of tweets, posts, and general comments about the pressure we’re facing in our lives.  Work has taken over much of our waking hours, and when we’re not at work, thinking about work, or staying up late catching up on work, we’re trying to be a Super-Hero Dad/Mom/Coach/
Volunteer/ Son/Daughter/Friend/Candle-Burner.

How’s that working out for you?

Here’s My Offer

I’m into fitness.  Not in a crazy way, but I’ve struggled more than enough over time being in shape and out of shape and then back in shape again.  I finally got to the point that I decided to just stay in shape.  I feel better, have more energy, and can keep up with my work (and my kids) a heck of a lot better.

But I know there are many people who struggle to stay focused.  It’s not that they don’t want to add a level of fitness to their life, it’s just that they lack one key piece of the puzzle -> a training partner.  So just like Project Social provides support to those trying to get their legs under them in the world of social media, I’m offering to help you literally get your legs under you. 

Obviously we can’t pound out the push ups side-by-side, nor is this intended to be a guilt-laden commitment, but we can certainly leverage the power of social media to keep each other motivated, engaged and supported.  I’m open to all options whether its a daily tweet, text or email -> it's your call.

How About You

Have you been thinking about attacking your busy schedule, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed?  Please don't use the lame excuse that  you don't have the time.  Get fit, get healthy, get going!  Plus, it’s no fun training alone.  I’m all in if you are.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

pics courtesy of canihelpyousir and skimble

Regrets Have No Value

Ouch.  Really?  No value?  That’s right, none.  How many of us can change anything in our past?  Anyone?  Can we learn from the past?  Sure we can, I do on a regular basis.  Do I sit around wallowing in self-pity because I didn’t always make the right choice or that I wasn’t picked first in gym class?  No…that would be lame, and I hate it when I’m lame.

Regrets Are Like Excuses

Now before you think I’ve morphed into some sort of insensitive lout, please keep this in mind.  I am a bit of a control freak (and I mean that in the most positive way of course.)  So if regrets fall into the category of things I can not control, then I have no interest in spending any time on them.  I’m into learning, getting better, and taking action.  Unfortunately for many people in the workplace, regrets are used as an excuse to whine about their lot in life.

Listening to the daily meeting of Whiners International has absolutely no appeal to me.

All Regrets Aren’t Bad

Perhaps a touch of sadness occasionally is connected to a regret:  not clearing the air with someone, sadness over a harsh word spoken, or embarrassment from a previous time in your life.  Here’s the twist that many people miss – you can still do something about those issues.  It almost always starts with this step:  swallow your pride and talk to the other person.  If they’ve gone on ahead, take a few quiet moments and tell them anyway…they’ll hear you.

How About You

Are you a charter member of the self-pity club?  If so, you’re not only annoying the hell out of everyone around you; but, you’re also doing a major disservice to your health.  Take the first step and reach out to someone for help.  And then dump those regrets for good.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


pic courtesy of mississippigarden

I See A Clear Path With My Narrow Mind

Some of you may know I am heavily into hockey as a fan, hockey dad, and for the last five years as a youth hockey coach.  As our team continues to improve and play against some of the highest level talent in the country we’re stressing the concept of peripheral vision with our players.  Hmm, peripheral vision.

The concept is so simple, yet all too frequently I find myself following my vision, or my plan, or my idea in my professional life.  Am I really taking into account all of the factors, perspectives, and options when I make decisions?  I’m guessing the answer is no.  That isn’t a good feeling.

Tunnels Are Easy

Have you ever driven through a tunnel?  How many options did have to proceed?  The path before you was obvious and knowing exactly what the plan was made it easy to execute.  No decisions, no challenges, no need for others to help steer the car.  You had it all under control.

Peripheral Takes Practice

Back to my hockey club…we recently told the boys they needed to practice using peripheral vision in their daily lives because the more they practiced this skill the better they would become.  Imagine that…practicing a skill each day will make you better at that skill?  How many times have I missed opportunities to “practice” my peripheral vision at work?  Too many I fear.

How About You

How do you overcome your tunnel vision?  Do you trust those around you enough to include them in decisions: or, is the path before you so clear that there really is no need for any additional input?

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


pic courtesy of timgrey