#HRevolution at the HR Technology Conference

We are just winding down the HR Technology Conference here at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, once again it was a fantastic event complete with all the things you'd expect from this event - great sessions, a lively exhibition hall packed with demonstrations from every solutions provider that matters, and as always the chance to connect and re-connect with peers, friends, and industry leaders.

To Bill Kutik and everyone at LRP that makes this event what it is today - many thanks. 

I was fortunate enough to get to participate in two sessions at the Conferences- as a panelist on the Social Media Strategies panel, (which I previewed here, and will have a recap posted later in the week), and as a co-facilitator along with Trish McFarlane in an #HRevolution-style session titled 'Your Kids Will Never Work in an Office', an open and wide-ranging discussion on the changing nature or work, the influence of technologies like mobile and social on the workplace, and what challenges the next generation of workers will present and provide.

The slides that Trish and I worked from have been uploaded to Slideshare here, and are also embedded below:

HRevolution Session at HR Technology Conference 2011

View more presentations from steveboese

This #HRevolution session was just one of three separate breakout sessions that #HRevolution veterans presented today at HR Technology.  In addition to our session, Dwane Lay and China Gorman led a discussion on 'HR Technology and Differentiation'; and Daniel Crosby and Lance Haun took on the topics of 'Change Leadership and Gamification'.  All told across the three session, we likely introduced the HRevolution format, vibe, and style to about 250 attendees.

Our session on the future of work was extremely lively and participatory - exactly as an HRevolution-style session should be. While Trish and I set up the topics, offered some discussion questions, and tried to guide the discussions - the conversations were clearly driven by the participants. There were engaged and thoughtful comments, questions, and opinions from all corners of the large room, and I'd estimate we heard from at least 30 different individuals during the course of the hour.

The lesson for me is certainly not that any event including HRevolution can truly solve big problems in an hour, but rather that HR and HR Technology professionals have lots to contribute to these discussions, and that when provided the opportunity, (as HRevolution does), they will dive right in and offer their expertise, and openly look to their peers and colleagues for support.

Our industry needs these opportunities for professionals to come together and engage in this way, and while HRevolution does not claim to be the only option for this kind of dialogue to happen, it is certainly one the seems to have resonated here today at the HR Technology Conference.

Many thanks to Bill Kutik, Claude Werder, and everyone else at LRP and HRevolution for all the support.

#HRevolution and the Connected World

First, a quick shout-out and thanks to all the attendees, session leaders, and supporters of the HRevolution - Las Vegas event that was held yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort - thanks so much for everything!

This was our fourth HRevolution event, and while they all have had distinct characteristics and vibes, there have been some common themes that have been consistently exposed over the course of the series. Connection, interaction, shared passion about the future of not only Human Resources, but about the design of work itself.  Sure, at times these kinds of big, hairy, and theoretical discussions might not seem to have direct and instant payoff back in our day jobs, but participate in enough intense discussions with a group of really smart, talented, and engaged people, and hopefully themes and concepts emerge that actually can be distilled into actionable strategy and near-term benefit.

In yesterday's event, the big theme I picked up on was connection - not just that simple and kind of obvious realization that technologies, (internet, mobile, tablet), have and will continue to inexorably change the way we work, socialize, learn, play, find, and stay connected to each other, our employees, our customers, and our communities - but rather the more significant implications the connected world will have on the next generation, my kids, your kids, their kids - you know what I mean.

From simple things like your 8 year old having to teach you how QR codes work to more complex and possibly important implications of how the fundamental organization of the corporation, workplaces, and even societal changes are being effected by the current and next generation of 'connective' technologies - these are among the most interesting and important questions of our times.

From the opening session of HRevolution, where Joel Cheesman talked about the sheer vastness of mobile connectivity, and some of the implications this has for organizations, to Jim Buttimer from Glassdoor sharing some incredible examples of crowd-sources intelligence, to the Daniel Crosby and Colleen Sutherland 'Change Leadership' session where the power of making connections around a shared goal can lead to amazing and unexpected results - the theme of 'connection' was the primary feeling for the day.

How this all plays out going forward certainly remains to be seen - but one thing is for sure, the connected world looks and works nothing like the world most of us grew up in. 

At the HR Technology Conference on Wednesday morning at 9:00AM HRevolution co-founder Trish McFarlane and I will facilitate an 'HRevolution-style' session about these ideas. Our working title for the session is 'Your Kid Will Never Work in an Office', a take on how the connected world of work in the future might look for the kids in elementary school today. While no one has a crystal ball or some kind of clairvoyance to see clearly into the future, most of us want to be sure our schools, societies, organizations, and families will be best prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities this connected future will bring.

If you are at the HR Technology Conference on Wednesday, we hope you will come to the session and share your ideas as well.

Everyone's talking about the HRevolution

The next iteration of the justifiably legendary HRevolution event for Human Resources and business leaders is set for October 2, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. We do have a fantastic lineup of sessions and presenters once again, to learn more about what you'll learn, check out the HRevolution Sessions and Speakers page here.

But, rather than me go on (again), telling you how amazing the HRevolution events are, and how you need to be there, I'd like to point you to two other pieces that make the point for me.

First, Jay Kuhns on the 'No Excuses HR' blog offers 'HRevolution: Did You Answer the Challenge?', which is simultaneously a challenge and a re-commitment to apply the lessons learned, and the connections made at the last HRevolution to Jay's role as a senior HR leader. That kind of passion, and ongoing support and community that manifests at HRevolution events is like none other in the HR space.

Second, head over to HRevolution co-founder Trish McFarlane's HR Ringleader blog today to get the rundown on the specifics and logistics for next month's event. On her piece titled 'Teamwork and Sticks in a Bundle', Trish spells out how she sees important parallels in the her team of HR professionals and the team and community from HRevolution.  Trish describes what we who have attended previous HRevolution events all have realized, these events do make us better at what we do.

The HRevolution information site can be found here, and to register for your ticket to attend the event on October 2nd, head over to the registration page.

As a bonus, in partnership with the 14th Annual HR Technology Conference that will be held October 3-5, 2011- immediately after the HRevolution, all attendees of HRevolution will receive a special discount code for HR Technology, good for $600 off the HR Tech show listed rate. This is the largest discount code for HR Tech that is still available, and it is good right up to the day of the show.  

I hope you will make the decsion to come to Las Vegas to participate in what is a really special and different kind of event, and better still, stay for the HR Technology Conference, which is the pre-eminent event of its kind.

If you have any questions at all about the event please shoot me a note - steveboese at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

Relax, your 401(k) bounced back - time to make plans for Las Vegas in October

This post was more or less completed over this past weekend, and I fully intended it to run yesterday. But after the bloodbath across global equity markets on Monday, it seemed a bit ridiculous to run a piece on Tuesday morning with a pitch to attend not one, but two events in Las Vegas this October. Sure, they are both fantastic, can't miss type events, and yes, I can offer you a really attractive discount to attend one or both of these events, but let's be honest - was anyone on Tuesday going to think seriously about approaching the boss for some travel budget, or consider a little additional personal investment in their professional development on such a disastrous financial day?

But then, perhaps shockingly, the markets rebounded yesterday, and while certainly the uncertainty surrounding US and global economic conditions are likely to persist for the time being, the sting of Monday's sell off has been assuaged at least somewhat, and I figured I'd better make my case quickly this morning, since who knows what might happen when the bell rings a couple of hours from now.

So here are the facts, and once I lay them out it will be clear what the only logical conclusion will be for you, the Human Resources or HR Technology professional at which to arrive:

1. The 14th Annual HR Technology Conference is set for October 3-5, 2011 and will be held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort. This event continues to be the pre-eminent event in the world of HR Technology, and in fact, rivals (and likely surpasses), any mainstream Human Resources conference for its sheer number and depth of exceedingly outstanding sessions, the scope and breadth of the solution providers that exhibit in the Expo hall, and the opportunity to rub elbows, break bread, and engage with the sharpest and savviest thinkers in the world of Human Capital Management.  

2. If you skip this event, you will lament your decision for the remainder of 2011, and will almost certainly begin scheming planning to attend in 2012. Why put yourself through a year of regret?

3. At no other event can you attend presentations from executives from the most important, innnovative, and exciting technology providers in the space, see case studies from innovative organizations like Facebook and Groupon, and even get the opportunity to hear from me, your dedicated servant not once, but twice during the course of the event, as I have the privilege to co-present a session with the HR Ringleader, Trish McFarlane, as well as participate on a HR and Social Media panel moderated by the HR Capitalist, Kris Dunn.

4. If you move fast, (or really before September 19th), you can use the discount code STEVE11, (all caps), to receive a $500 discount off the published registration price. Again, the conference information and registration details can be found here. And you should really take advantage of this opportunity. Truly.

But wait!  There's more!

If you act now you can double your learning experience in Las Vegas this October!

Here's how:

The 4th HRevolution conference for Human Resources and talent professionals will be held on October 2, 2011, one day before the HR Technology Conference kicks off. HRevolution has partnered with the HR Technology Conference to present the latest in what has become well known in the HR community as a challenging, engaging, informal, and boundary stretching program of facilitated conversations that is sure to enhance and support your HR Technology experience. With sessions from leaders from Zappos and Glassdoor, as well as some of the leading voices in HR and social media today, the HRevolution - Las Vegas is the perfect way to get your HR Technology Conference experience started. And thanks to the partnership with HR Tech, all attendees of HRevolution will receive a special, top-secret discount code (even better than STEVE11), that will give you the best value for HR Technology that you can find.

So here is what I really think you ought to do:

1. Register for the HRevolution event on October 2nd. You can get your tickets here.

2. Then take your HRevolution discount code and register for the HR Technology Conference here.

3. Book your room at Mandalay Bay or at any one of the dozen nearby Vegas hotels offering rooms at half the price.

4. Get ready for the best learning and networking experience you will ever have.

Take my word for it, or better yet, ask anyone that has attended HR Technology or HRevolution, you won't regret it! 

Calling all HR revolutionaries - #HRevolution Las Vegas is Coming

There are lots of events in the Human Resources and Talent Management space, and plenty of opportunities for HR leaders and practitioners for professional development, for furthering their knowledge and capabilities, and for networking with like-minded and engaged peers. And we know that everyone is busy, budgets in organizations for travel and development initiatives are still tight, and for HR pros, figuring out where and how to invest their limited time and resources is proving to be a more complex endeavor each year.

That's why it is more important than ever to make the best choices about where to invest your development dollars, your energy, and most importantly your time. 

The HRevolution event for Human Resources leaders and professionals is staging its next event on October 2, 2011 in Las Vegas, at the Mandalay Bay Resort. The HRevolution is partnering with the HR Technology Conference, that will also be held at the Mandalay Bay from October 3-5, 2011, to offer HR and HR Technology pros a fantastic combination of content, networking opportunities, and exposure to the latest and greatest in ideas, tools, technolgies, and innovations that are impacting the workforce today.

If you are not familiar with the HRevolution events here is a quick primer - the HRevolution is a grass roots, practitioner-led, non-traditional Human Resources experiences that while presenting fantastic content and session leaders, is much more about the people who attend than about a bunch of talking heads delivering boring PowerPoint decks about typical HR topics. At HRevolution you will be challenged by new ideas, expected to engage and contribute to the conversations about the current state Human Resources, and also where the profession is headed. At HRevolution you'll learn about new technologies, talk about new ways to engage the workforce, and most importantly, meet and connect with over a hundred like-minded people that are just as passionate as you are.

The HRevolution - Las Vegas event is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Fall/Winter HR conference season, where HR thought leaders and practitioners from around the globe will be converging for a day of exciting, provocative, and cutting-edge discussions. With session leaders like China Gorman, Kris Dunn, Joe Gerstandt, Jason Lauritsen and more the event is shaping up to be a 'can't-miss' opportunity. But since the HRevolution is a different kind of interactive and participatory experience, space is limited, so you will want to get your tickets soon.  

You can learn more about the HRevolution event here, and register for event here.

And as an added bonus, when you register for HRevolution - Las Vegas you'll receive a major discount code good for the subsequent HR Technology Conference.