Wednesday
Nov032010
Possible reasons I won't be presenting at SHRM '11
SteveMonday morning started early this week, in a breezy and crisp ‘autumn is pretty much over and winter will be here very soon’ kind of way. Me, semi-staggering from the early hour and the too-much Halloween candy from the night before cobwebs managed to have a reasonably productive start to the week only to be interrupted by an unfamiliar visitor, the mail guy, who dropped off an official looking letter addressed to me.
Sort of odd, because in the short time I have been here I don’t think I had received any snail mail at all, in fact, I can’t imagine the career prospects for folks that actually still deliver snail mail in corporate campuses to be all the bright.
This letter was from SHRM, the Society for Human Resources Management. A few months ago I, along with many of my colleagues and friends had submitted presentation proposals for next June’s SHRM Annual Conference. In fact, I want to say I submitted the presentation for consideration about a year before it would be (theoretically) delivered, SHRM had better hope nothing significant changes in the world of work and HR for twelve months. But I digress.
As you can tell from the post title, and from the image on the right, my proposal was rejected. For the purposes of full disclosure, my proposal was not for a formal or traditional presentation, it was a pitch to do a live, on-site version of the HR Happy Hour show, and I offered as my ‘proof-of-performance’ the archive of 70-odd shows that we have done, highlighting some of the best episodes that featured leaders and well-known experts like Dave Ulrich and Andrew McAfee.
The form letter I received informing me of the rejection offered nothing specific about why the session was rejected - my theory - the folks that evaluated the session had never heard of the show; but a close read of the text does offer some clues as to perhaps why the HR Happy Hour show will not be on the program at SHRM ‘11.
Possible reason 1 - ‘We strive to offer a balanced program of educational sessions’
Likelihood - Thinking no, as I can’t imagine there were any other ‘live radio show’ sessions pitched. So including the HR Happy Hour could not have ‘unbalanced’ anything. In fact, something like the show would have been a good counterweight to the 13 sessions given by lawyers.
Possible reason 2 - ‘(we) select proposals that best fit the overall programming framework of the conference’
Likelihood - Pretty high I think. Assuming that the ‘overall programming framework’ doesn’t include ‘different’, ‘unique’, or ‘innovative’. Can anyone actually describe this framework anyway? But this had to be the main reason for the snub. The Happy Hour show just does not fit the typical and expected template. And I do believe that SHRM does know what its members want.
Possible reason 3 - ‘Please understand that we receive many proposals with several on the same topic’
Likelihood - On the ‘many proposals’ part - sure; on the ‘several on the same topic’ - no way. No one else is crazy enough to keep organizing, producing, and presenting a weekly show on HR and Workforce topics. Maybe I should take that as a sign there really isn’t much of an audience for this sort of thing.
The end result is that the HR Happy Hour show will not be broadcasting from SHRM ‘11 next June, at least not as part of the ‘official’ proceedings. I am not trying to whine and complain about being rejected, I quite honestly did not put that much effort into the submission, but I did want to let listeners of the show (all seven of you) know what was going on. From experience broadcasting from several prior events, I have come to the conclusion the only way to reach anyone outside the core audience is to get on the 'official' conference program. Whether or not that will ever happen is another story.
Regardless, after writing this piece, and processing all the information, I actually think I figured out where I went wrong. Instead of pitching a live HR Happy Hour show, the pitch should have been ‘HR Professor Steve Boese will interview a panel of legal and communications experts on the perils of unfettered access to internet radio in the workplace’.
I bet that would have matched the overall programming framework.
Sort of odd, because in the short time I have been here I don’t think I had received any snail mail at all, in fact, I can’t imagine the career prospects for folks that actually still deliver snail mail in corporate campuses to be all the bright.
This letter was from SHRM, the Society for Human Resources Management. A few months ago I, along with many of my colleagues and friends had submitted presentation proposals for next June’s SHRM Annual Conference. In fact, I want to say I submitted the presentation for consideration about a year before it would be (theoretically) delivered, SHRM had better hope nothing significant changes in the world of work and HR for twelve months. But I digress.
As you can tell from the post title, and from the image on the right, my proposal was rejected. For the purposes of full disclosure, my proposal was not for a formal or traditional presentation, it was a pitch to do a live, on-site version of the HR Happy Hour show, and I offered as my ‘proof-of-performance’ the archive of 70-odd shows that we have done, highlighting some of the best episodes that featured leaders and well-known experts like Dave Ulrich and Andrew McAfee.
The form letter I received informing me of the rejection offered nothing specific about why the session was rejected - my theory - the folks that evaluated the session had never heard of the show; but a close read of the text does offer some clues as to perhaps why the HR Happy Hour show will not be on the program at SHRM ‘11.
Possible reason 1 - ‘We strive to offer a balanced program of educational sessions’
Likelihood - Thinking no, as I can’t imagine there were any other ‘live radio show’ sessions pitched. So including the HR Happy Hour could not have ‘unbalanced’ anything. In fact, something like the show would have been a good counterweight to the 13 sessions given by lawyers.
Possible reason 2 - ‘(we) select proposals that best fit the overall programming framework of the conference’
Likelihood - Pretty high I think. Assuming that the ‘overall programming framework’ doesn’t include ‘different’, ‘unique’, or ‘innovative’. Can anyone actually describe this framework anyway? But this had to be the main reason for the snub. The Happy Hour show just does not fit the typical and expected template. And I do believe that SHRM does know what its members want.
Possible reason 3 - ‘Please understand that we receive many proposals with several on the same topic’
Likelihood - On the ‘many proposals’ part - sure; on the ‘several on the same topic’ - no way. No one else is crazy enough to keep organizing, producing, and presenting a weekly show on HR and Workforce topics. Maybe I should take that as a sign there really isn’t much of an audience for this sort of thing.
The end result is that the HR Happy Hour show will not be broadcasting from SHRM ‘11 next June, at least not as part of the ‘official’ proceedings. I am not trying to whine and complain about being rejected, I quite honestly did not put that much effort into the submission, but I did want to let listeners of the show (all seven of you) know what was going on. From experience broadcasting from several prior events, I have come to the conclusion the only way to reach anyone outside the core audience is to get on the 'official' conference program. Whether or not that will ever happen is another story.
Regardless, after writing this piece, and processing all the information, I actually think I figured out where I went wrong. Instead of pitching a live HR Happy Hour show, the pitch should have been ‘HR Professor Steve Boese will interview a panel of legal and communications experts on the perils of unfettered access to internet radio in the workplace’.
I bet that would have matched the overall programming framework.
Reader Comments (25)
For the record, I would have enjoyed the session. I think this kind of innovative topic would be a nice change from some of the repetitive sessions that SHRM seems to think we want. The function is changing, and this would have been a great example of what is happening.
I vote you hold your "non-SHRM" session anyway.
Steve-Sorry man, I feel somewhat responsible for this rejection. I received an "odd" phone call several weeks ago. The unidentified caller (who's voice sounded suspiciously like Daryl Hall and or John Oates) simply asked me if I would be on the Twitter backchannel should SHRM choose to permit a live broadcast of your show. I said "hell yeah", and the caller quickly hung up. Let me know what I can do to help fix this mess.
Frank
You are already so far ahead of them, Steve, I would not lose any sleep over this AT ALL. Methinks you most likely did not.
My experience is that almost every "body" that is assembled to help its membership, invariably and over time, fails to do so.
Stay out in front.
Steve-
For the record, I LOVE your show, and It is a real shame that SHRM does not realize the VALUE that this content offers. You are Fabulous! Onward, and Upward~
Shennee:)
I'm sort of still marveling at the fact that you don't get much snail mail; why do I continue to get TONS? Oh wait - a lot of that mail comes from SHRM and vendors-to-whom-I-bet-they-gave-my-name.
signed,
one of your 7 listeners
I am disappointing in SHRM. My membership is up for renewal this month. You should have included member recruitment as part of the show's programming. Proud of your attempt to reach out and expose our online world to the SHRM box. What we should all be charged to do to facilitate change. Your time will come.
Hey, I see I'm the 6th comment. One more left! LOL
I continue to be amazed how a group of otherwise intelligent people keep expecting SHRM to act differently than it has for the last 40 years, at least. And actually complain about decisions it takes or how its members act and are disappointed!
Cue the Trumpets!! SHRM thinks its 1989, and every HR department is beholden to an MIS department running a mainframe on a raised white floor in a windowless room.
Happy to have HR Happy Hour at the HR Technology Conference, Steve, though it already is!
Is this the same kind of letter that gets sent to candidates when they do not get a job?
I think we need to unleash a series of "frat boy" pranks on them. Zupan, Prof Matty Matt you with me on this one?
"And I do believe that SHRM does know what its members want." #Fact
Guerilla broadcast from a conversion van parked across the street from the fancy hotel. #thatisall
Steve, JohnnyNyK, Zupan....time to change from within. Let's apply for the SHRM12 Programming Committee!
Steve I was sad to hear his, although the good news is it is not too late for this decsion to be changed. There still are a few days until the conference. Just like the blog squad was put together on short notice, I think you could perform on short noitce if need be.
I think that the HR HAppy Hour provides great information and value to your deeply disturbed listeners. It would seem to me, by broadcasting from the event you could only add to the event, not take away from it. The show's history demostrated this.
Perhaps after I am hired as the new CEO of SHRM I can rescind this decision, and then we could hang together in Vegas - maybe do some clubbing?
Steve,
You're not alone -- I got my letter on Monday as well. I have my own thoughts on why I was "de-selected," even after receiving good ratings from my session this year in San Diego. Seems several (read: "5-6 out of the 800+ in the audience) took grave offense to my use of the word "stupid."
My bad.
Did you ever notice that none of the letters in SHRM are in INNOVATION?" Coincidence? I think not...
:)
Best,
KB
And another one bites the dus.! Jeez, I think I'm going to skip all the concurrent sessions (been to most of them anyway in one form or another) and head straight for the swag! :) So much for new and innovative ways to messaging. We'd loved having you at 2010 HR Florida, Steve and it was incredibly well received. SHRM just doesn't know what it is missing!
From a fan...
Steve, You're a smart guy, I'm disappointed that you didn't figure out the "secret" formula for getting a non-traditional (kick ass) idea pushed through the presentation process. From a fellow HR Blogtalkradio dude, I hope your voice is heard as the only way we change outcomes is change behaviors and how we change behaviors is allow Blogtalkradio shows on HR be presented at all SHRM conferences. (easy solution...)
Keep the faith! - BW -
Ok Steve I think you and Brian Wempen need to team up get space near the conference and broadcast from there. Some place where people can walk over from the conference and give live reports about the conference.
I loved KB's comment about none of the letters of SHRM are in INNOVATION.
Steve, this will change when I'm president and CEO of SHRM. Hang tight.
I think Haberman is onto something. In fact, I like the whole guerrilla idea and think we should have an alternate conference where we recruit people to come and listen to something innovative. HRevolution-like. In Vegas. In the next hotel.
@Dwane - Thanks man, I appreciate that. I bet we get out there anyway, but getting 'on the program' was something I was hoping for just to get better exposure for the show
@Frank - Too funny - thanks for the offer to try and make this right!
@GL - Thanks - I really don't care all that much, it would have been cool, but isn't really that big a deal. Hey, it let me bang out a post that got 20 comments!
@Shennee - Thanks so much!
@Robin - That is funny, but no I get almost no old style mail at all. Anyway, thanks for all the support
@Lyn - Thanks for everything Lyn - you rock!
@Bill - Thanks so much, and we will be back at HR Technology next year for sure
@akaBruno - Not sure, maybe I should apply for a job?
@John - Any pranks are certainly not authorized, but appreciated
@April - I am sure they know what they are doing, no doubt.
@Dave - Thanks, I agree we will probably find our way out there anyway, and once there, will do a show from somewhere. I was sort of thinking it might be nice one day to do the show for a really nice sized live audience and broadcast to the internet at the same time.
@KB - Well that is just stupid! Thanks for the support and sorry you had a bad outcome as well
@Heather - Thanks so much - HR Florida was outstanding and truly 'gets' what it means to try new and interesting things.
@BW - I am with you! Thanks for the support and let's keep the faith. And keep trying.
@Mike -That is a good idea, and I bet based on all the folks that are also 'rejects' we will try and put something together.
@Laurie - Deal. But you have to agree to announce your appointment on the show.
@Joan - Awesome idea.