Blog Feed: UpstartHR blog

Employee productivity management is normally seen as a manager’s job, and that might be a good thing. Recent research has shown that some managers can achieve up to 10% increases in productivity among their staff. In the video below I discuss t

2012 Review and 2013 Plans

Published on 2012-12-31 05:10:00

Another year gone by and an amazing one ahead. Today I just want to take a few minutes to talk about some of the things I’m planning for in 2013, including events, travel, new tools, and more. And for the fans who keep coming back for the conte

The Titleless Leader (Book Review)

Published on 2012-12-28 04:58:40

The Titleless Leader: How to Get Things Done When You’re Not in Charge by Nan Russell I’m in a unique position. Due to the importance of my role (hey, HR is important, right?), I’m a member of the leadership team where I work; howe

5 IFTTT Recipes for Recruiters

Published on 2012-12-27 04:50:24

There are new tools released every day that make our lives more complex, but I’ve been looking at IFTTT lately, and it’s all about making life simpler. IFTTT stands for “if this, then that.” It’s an online tool that look

My Hope

Published on 2012-12-24 07:08:24

Christmas isn’t something that should upset or anger people. It isn’t something that should make a person feel uncomfortable. Yet that’s what it has become in many respects. I have no issues with diversity and inclusion, but that al

My New Phone-A Love Story

Published on 2012-12-21 04:59:36

I’m sure the rest of you are just biding your time until you’re off for Christmas, so I’m going laid back today and tackling the age-old question: What does an HR person carry in their purse/pocket for a cell phone? Earlier this

The Temp Factor (Book Review)

Published on 2012-12-20 04:55:32

The Temp Factor by Cathy Reilly Recently I received a copy of The Temp Factor: The Complete Guide to Temporary Employment for Staffing Services, Clients, and Temps from Cathy A. Reilly. I didn’t know what to expect from the book, because I don&

The Purpose of Human Resources

Published on 2012-12-19 05:07:29

What is the purpose of human resources in an organization? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of human resources? Does the stereotypical HR person represent you? Are we working to make sure everyone is “playing nicely” and that ever

5 Things to Do After You Get Certified

Published on 2012-12-17 05:01:04

Recently I had a friend get the PHR certification. We were talking about the process and what she should do after she got the official “pass” notification from HRCI, and here’s what I suggested to her. Update email signature-some pe

20 Most Popular Posts of 2012

Published on 2012-12-14 04:45:35

I say it every year, but WOW the past 12 months have flown by. This has been a year of growth and learning as well as loads of fun and friendship. I launched my first study course, and the 5th HRevolution event was a smashing success. Somehow we mana

Better Communication at Work-Fluff ‘n Stuff Matters

Published on 2012-12-12 04:45:12

If you’ve been thinking about having better communication at work, but you’re not sure how, here’s a quick tip from a former manager that has stuck with me. Every year when we held our annual kickoff meeting to prepare for the hurdl

HR and Talent Management Book Club

Published on 2012-12-10 04:55:29

How to start an HR/Talent management book club I’ve talked with our local SHRM chapter in the past about possibly setting up a HR/talent management book club since it seems like it would be fairly easy to initiate and manage. Then a few weeks a

Adverse Impact Analysis: A Practitioner’s Guide (Book Review)

Published on 2012-12-07 04:55:46

Statistical Analysis of Adverse Impact: A Practitioner’s Guide by Stephanie R. Thomas I know, adverse impact analysis is not my usual fare. However, I’m working on a new project, and I need to expand my horizons a bit. To be honest, I did

Lesson Learned-The Easy Way that Wasn’t

Published on 2012-12-05 05:00:33

I was rocking right along, knocking out items on my To Do list and feeling pretty good. Then it hit. I thought I had made the right choice. I thought it was going to be the “easy way” to get things accomplished. Apparently not. Despite kn

Company Growth Phases-Aligning Hiring and Retention Practices

Published on 2012-12-03 04:55:30

The other day I mentioned company growth phases in my review of Seeing the Big Picture. I thought it warranted more discussion, because it’s something I honestly hadn’t considered previously. Here’s a quote from the book: Company gr

Seeing the Big Picture (Book Review)

Published on 2012-11-30 04:55:52

Seeing the Big Picture: Business Acumen to Build your Credibility, Career, and Company by Kevin Cope Okay, I’ll admit it. I requested a copy of Seeing the Big Picture by Kevin Cope because I wanted to pick up a few tips. I have always had a wea

What Are Your “Undiscussables?”

Published on 2012-11-28 05:45:24

Recently I was reading an article and it mentioned “undiscussables” as dictated by workplace culture. It is a fun word and an interesting concept that I’d like to explore it briefly here. Your corporate culture has norms, expectatio

Human Resources Job Titles-The Ultimate Guide

Published on 2012-11-26 05:00:08

HR’s career ladder is never quite clear. So who cares? Human resources job titles mean nothing, right? Wrong. Even if you really don’t care about it, others will judge you for better or worse the instant they see your job title. Today we&

Stupid? Annoying? You’re Fired.

Published on 2012-11-23 04:45:06

Recently I was looking through the terms of a web service that I use, and I found this statement buried in there. We can revoke your [company name] account at any time. Sounds harsh, right? We’re unlikely to ever do that, unless you do somethin

Change-Friendly Leadership (Book Review)

Published on 2012-11-21 04:55:37

Change Friendly Leadership by Dr. Rodger Dean Duncan When I got my review copy of Change Friendly Leadership, I was transported back to my college days of studying change management. It was a great course and I had a phenomenal teacher, so my thirst

Management Mistake From Undercover Boss

Published on 2012-11-19 05:05:13

This common management mistake affects all organizations I don’t have cable. I watch 1-2 shows online, but I’m otherwise not enslaved to the TV. Recently when visiting my wife’s parents’ home I caught a few minutes of an episo

Wisdom Meets Passion (Book Review)

Published on 2012-11-16 06:00:00

Wisdom Meets Passion by Dan Miller and Jared Angaza I’ve been reading and listening to Dan Miller for over 5 years now. In short, this book is more greatness. I ended up taking very few notes for a few reasons. First, this book is full of thing

The Orange Revolution (Book Review)

Published on 2012-11-16 05:00:57

The Orange Revolution by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton I reviewed a book previously by these authors (All In), and I might start a fan club. They’re darn good at what they do. I purchased The Orange Revolution a few months ago because I had

A, B, or C Player? What Are You?

Published on 2012-11-15 05:00:36

Talented Players-Part 2 The second half the title didn’t make it due to space, but it should read “A, B or C? What Are You? Do you, or should you, care?” Quoting from Part 1 of this series as a refresher: Think about your own team o

A Players, B Players, and C Players

Published on 2012-11-14 05:00:03

Talented Players-Part 1 Recently a friend pointed me to an article discussing A players, B players, and C players. I had some differing thoughts when I read it, and I’m going to break it down and discuss a few different parts of the article tha

How to Pass the PHR Exam

Published on 2012-11-12 04:00:27

Last week I talked about how to pass the PHR exam. In case you don’t remember or didn’t see it, the discussion was mainly around the motivation needed to stick with a long term study plan. In case you were wondering, the same principle ap

Process Improvement, Presenting Naked, and More (Guest Post Blitz)

Published on 2012-11-09 04:30:48

I went on a blogging spree a few weeks back and wanted to give a heads up if you don’t read these other fabulous blogs. Check out the 5 posts I wrote and let me know if any of them are helpful, interesting, informative, etc. Why process improve

PHR Study Group-Your Secret Weapon

Published on 2012-11-08 04:30:50

Using a PHR study group (or PHR online study group) The other day I talked about how “hard” the PHR exam is. I discussed motivation as a key component for test preparation, and I think it’s often overlooked when developing a testing

Why Do You Keep Hiring Poor Candidates? (Leadership 101)

Published on 2012-11-07 04:45:23

So you made a bad hire. Lesson learned. Eventually it happens to everyone. But why haven’t you moved them on yet? Why are they still hanging around and leeching the morale from your team when you know good and well that they just aren’t g

Is the PHR Exam Difficult?

Published on 2012-11-06 04:30:15

Is the PHR exam difficult? Just how hard is the PHR exam? Because of my history of talking about the HR certification exams, I get a lot of questions about the difficulty level of the PHR and SPHR exams. At first glance, it’s easy to see why pe

UAB Innovations in Wellness Conference

Published on 2012-11-05 04:00:46

Recently the organizers for the inaugural UAB Innovations in Wellness Conference reached out to me to see if I would be interested in attending. It sounds like a unique event with some great insights, and I am excited about the opportunity to check o

Company Book Club? There’s a Better Way

Published on 2012-11-02 05:00:51

Company Book Club vs. Developing an Employee Reading Program In a previous blog post titled hire for attitude, train for everything else, I wrote about the importance of considering a required reading program for your employees (takes it a step furt

All In (Book Review)

Published on 2012-10-31 05:00:04

All In by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton-A book about culture, belief, and leadership When I stopped by the Snagajob booth at the SHRM conference this summer, I was lucky enough to receive a copy of All In (How the best managers create a culture of

Conference Booths, The Hard Sell, and What We Want

Published on 2012-10-29 05:00:23

A few weeks back I attended the first day of the HR Technology Conference in Chicago. I had an expo only pass to go in and see the vendors, and I was reminded yet again of the awkwardness of the current setup. At one point my friend and I were walking down the aisle and [...]The post Conference Booths, The Hard Sell, and What We Want appeared first on upstartHR.

I’m Running (And Other Updates)

Published on 2012-10-26 05:00:06

Whew. It has been quite a week. By the time most of you read this I will be a few miles into a 50 mile, 3 day stage race on some gnarly trails in Birmingham, AL. Yes, I have a running problem; however, it beats a drinking problem, and in HR, that’s almost a job [...]The post I’m Running (And Other Updates) appeared first on upstartHR.

Team Building Session? Try This Exercise

Published on 2012-10-24 04:45:47

How to rock your next team building session Recently I learned of a unique team building session idea that I have been itching to try out. I was able to wrangle a friend into testing it out at her office, and it had very positive results. Today we’ll be looking at what I’ve come to [...]The post Team Building Session? Try This Exercise appeared first on upstartHR.

Internal Talent Management

Published on 2012-10-22 05:00:28

How internal talent management keeps you competitive We need the right people sitting in the right seats. If you’re familiar with the phrase, then you know it’s all about finding the right talent fit for your organization. This discussion shifts from the external focus to the internal talent management process. The reality is that we [...]The post Internal Talent Management appeared first on upstartHR.

SHRM Chapters-Life as a Board Member

Published on 2012-10-19 05:00:46

SHRM Chapters are local SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) affiliates that live out SHRM’s mission on a local scale. I’ve been serving on the board of NASHRM, my local chapter, since the middle of 2009, and at the end of this year I am stepping down from my position on the board to focus [...]The post SHRM Chapters-Life as a Board Member appeared first on upstartHR.

The Next Generation of HR

Published on 2012-10-17 04:30:00

Tomorrow evening I have the pleasure of speaking to a group of local HR students. The problem is I have time to talk on one topic, but I have several in mind! In a perfect world I’d have the chance to come back a few times and expose them to the full realm of knowledge [...]The post The Next Generation of HR appeared first on upstartHR.

How to Take Action and Get Results

Published on 2012-10-15 05:00:56

Developing an Action Oriented Culture We recently had a new employee start on our executive team, and her fresh take on things is incredibly valuable for us in our quest for continuous improvement. One piece of our action-oriented culture that I have taken for granted was especially interesting for her. Recently at our executive off-site [...]The post How to Take Action and Get Results appeared first on upstartHR.

#HRevolution HR Improv Session Videos

Published on 2012-10-12 05:00:14

HR Improv was a session at HRevolution where participants had to present on a slideshow that they had never seen before and somehow tie it back to employee relations, recruiting, etc. Please forgive the shaky portion of the videos. I grabbed the camera halfway through the session when I realized how hilarious this was going [...]The post #HRevolution HR Improv Session Videos appeared first on upstartHR.

Playing the “Boss” Card (Leadership 101)

Published on 2012-10-11 05:00:44

How the “boss” card damages your leadership potential and how to avoid it Why? Because I said so, and I’m the boss, that’s why. If you’ve ever heard those words, you’ve probably transported yourself back mentally to a time when you were a young child being chastised by an adult. If you spend any amount [...]The post Playing the “Boss” Card (Leadership 101) appeared first on upstartHR.

HRevolution 2012-What Just Happened?

Published on 2012-10-09 05:00:08

Wow. As I’ve said before, it takes a little time to decompress and consider just what is going to come out of the event, and this is no different. There were amazing sessions, fun times, and all kinds of new experiences for the attendees. A few highlights: the HR Improv session was a hit-hoping to [...]The post HRevolution 2012-What Just Happened? appeared first on upstartHR.

I9 Verification Documents-How to Get Employee Cooperation

Published on 2012-10-05 05:00:15

I9 verification documents-challenges and solutions I was wondering what suggestions you or others in the HR community have related to ensuring that new hires show up for orientation with the required forms(s) of ID for completion of the I-9. Currently, I include a copy of the back of the I-9 form when I send their [...]The post I9 Verification Documents-How to Get Employee Cooperation appeared first on upstartHR.

HRevolution 2012-Sponsors, Dress Codes, and More

Published on 2012-10-03 05:30:53

We’re just a few short days away from HRevolution 2012 in beautiful Chicago, and we have a few announcements to make as we gear up for yet another fabulous event. Best. Sponsors. Ever. First off, thank you to our awesome sponsors. We truly appreciate each of you helping to make this event a success. Please check [...]The post HRevolution 2012-Sponsors, Dress Codes, and More appeared first on upstartHR.

Why I Run (Race Report + Wellness Insights)

Published on 2012-10-01 05:00:21

Okay, so I am dying to talk about the race I did last week, but I don’t have a good place for sharing running/race reports. So I’ll talk a little about the “why” and try to connect that back to wellness initiatives (or something). What is the Bourbon Chase? 200 miles. 12 runners. The Kentucky [...]The post Why I Run (Race Report + Wellness Insights) appeared first on upstartHR.

Entry Level HR Jobs-The Ultimate Guide

Published on 2012-09-28 05:00:46

Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Entry Level HR Jobs! Feel free to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, via email, or by renting a plane to carry a banner proclaiming how much you love this guide. If you’re not already on the email list to receive free updates, here’s how you can do that. [...]The post Entry Level HR Jobs-The Ultimate Guide appeared first on upstartHR.

Flexible Schedule Policy vs. Core Business Hours

Published on 2012-09-26 08:55:51

Recently we had a discussion about moving from our current flexible schedule policy to a core business hours work arrangement. Some of our management team looked at the decision as a way to force everyone to be in the office at least part of the day in order to make sure everyone is staying on task and accomplishing their work. However, I was more than a little bit perturbed by the idea. See, I have this funny, old-fashioned notion that … Continue reading →The post Flexible Schedule [..]

Crafting a Welcome Letter to New Employees

Published on 2012-09-24 05:00:06

I ran across this new employee welcome letter example from some old files and had to share. The creator was the best manager out of dozens at a previous employer, and it was little things like this that made his people love him. I had no idea he was providing these documents to his staff [...]The post Crafting a Welcome Letter to New Employees appeared first on upstartHR.

Turn The Ship Around! (Book Review)

Published on 2012-09-21 05:00:17

I was very excited to read my copy of Turn the Ship Around! How to Create Leadership at Every Level by L. David Marquet (here on Amazon). I actually found out about the book through a random link that I followed on Twitter. The link led me to a video interview of the author, and it [...]The post Turn The Ship Around! (Book Review) appeared first on upstartHR.

Jolt (Book Review)

Published on 2012-09-20 05:00:50

When I ordered a copy of Jolt: Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing from BookSneeze (here on Amazon), I didn’t know what to expect. I ended up with a book containing an interesting blend of leadership, change management, and religious topics. I’m openly and unabashedly a Christian, so that last part wasn’t really [...]The post Jolt (Book Review) appeared first on upstartHR.

Transparency in the Recruiting Process

Published on 2012-09-19 05:00:16

So you think you’re pretty transparent with your recruiting process, right? You claim that your culture is an environment that people really enjoy. So prove it. Let’s be honest for a second. How confident are you in your culture? Are you so confident in your staff’s commitment to the culture that you would set an [...]The post Transparency in the Recruiting Process appeared first on upstartHR.

HR-Quality Lessons from ISO Prep

Published on 2012-09-17 05:00:38

What HR can learn from quality initiatives Last week I had to participate in a training session led by our all-star Quality Management Specialist, and she helped me to understand how our ISO preparation is going to impact the HR-quality side of things. I hope to discuss more of them in the future, but the [...]HR-Quality Lessons from ISO Prep is a post from: UpstartHR The post HR-Quality Lessons from ISO Prep appeared first on upstartHR.

Flexible Work-How I Do It

Published on 2012-09-14 05:00:05

I work for a small company and have the flexibility to change my work schedule, work remotely, and do a lot of things that would have been unheard of at some of my previous employers. In fact, that flexibility is a great benefit that we offer our staff that doesn’t have a set price tag [...]Flexible Work-How I Do It is a post from: UpstartHR The post Flexible Work-How I Do It appeared first on upstartHR.

Ethical Dilemma? Ask This Question

Published on 2012-09-12 05:08:31

Recently I attended a training, and the speaker offered a great piece of advice that I have taken to heart. Before you make the ethical decision that you’re considering, can you see yourself defending it from the witness stand in a courtroom? Ouch, but true. When we sometimes are sliding into those gray areas around [...]Ethical Dilemma? Ask This Question is a post from: UpstartHR The post Ethical Dilemma? Ask This Question appeared first on upstartHR.

Don’t Let the Economy Impact Your Career

Published on 2012-09-10 05:00:15

I am going to speak frankly today. Some of you will hate it, and others will appreciate it. Ya can’t make everyone happy at once, so here we go. Recently I received a copy of a survey that indicates 43 percent of workers believe their careers have slowed down and it will be harder and [...]Don’t Let the Economy Impact Your Career is a post from: UpstartHR The post Don’t Let the Economy Impact Your Career appeared first on upstartHR.

Benefits of Team Building

Published on 2012-09-06 07:23:16

What are the benefits of team building? How can you use team building strategies to grow and develop a team that is agile, talented, and cohesive? Do you have to actively work to develop your team, or is hiring the right people enough? Great Teams Don’t Just Happen I reached out to my friend Stephanie [...]Benefits of Team Building is a post from: UpstartHR

Barefoot Running and Convictions

Published on 2012-09-05 05:00:51

I’m taking a moment for a non-HR post today. Enjoy! In about a week I’m going to be running a local 5k race, and I’m hoping to get out there and have a great time. Oh, and I’m going to leave my shoes in the car. Why? Because barefoot running is something that I truly [...]Barefoot Running and Convictions is a post from: UpstartHR

Responding to Criticism-How to Prove HR’s Value

Published on 2012-09-04 05:00:58

So yesterday I posted on a comment from a reader on a previous post. The person was obviously disgruntled with the HR people in their company, and I wanted to take the opportunity to respond here. Obviously I think HR in general has value for the company, leadership, and employees, but how does that play [...]Responding to Criticism-How to Prove HR’s Value is a post from: UpstartHR

HR-Glorified Administration or Something More?

Published on 2012-09-03 05:00:58

Recently I saw this comment on an HR blog post and couldn’t resist discussing it. Most of us would be quick to defend the work we do, but I’m looking for some strong, well thought out responses to the criticism. I’m going to post my own response tomorrow, so be sure to come back to [...]HR-Glorified Administration or Something More? is a post from: UpstartHR

Thinking On Your Feet-The Hidden Leadership Skill

Published on 2012-08-31 05:00:14

As I’ve been pulled into more meetings and face-to-face interactions with our leadership team, I’ve noticed two things. Some of our leaders are very, very good at thinking on their feet. Me? Not so much. Okay, I get that perspective is a big part of this discussion, but it’s really been interesting to observe some [...]Thinking On Your Feet-The Hidden Leadership Skill is a post from: UpstartHR

7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave (Book Review)

Published on 2012-08-29 05:00:14

Recently I received a copy of 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave by Leigh Branham to review. It was great timing, because I’ve had the “big picture” retention ideas floating through my head in preparation for the HR portion of a leadership retreat at work. This truly was a fantastic book with many great insights, and [...]7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave (Book Review) is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Be the Smartest Person in the Room

Published on 2012-08-27 05:00:23

My former manager was an amazing leader and mentor. She had some brilliant sayings that I took to heart, and she recently left me with a piece of advice that I’ll never forget. Become the smartest person in the room by knowing you are not. You don’t get smarter or better by thinking you’re the [...]How to Be the Smartest Person in the Room is a post from: UpstartHR

Are Job Descriptions Really Necessary?

Published on 2012-08-24 05:00:51

When you get down to the hard facts, are job descriptions really necessary? Honestly, I don’t know. We got along for several years with a strong performance management process that helps employees to define their responsibilities and what they are rated on. In the age of “I can sue anyone for anything at any time,” [...]Are Job Descriptions Really Necessary? is a post from: UpstartHR

How to “Make” Someone Do Something

Published on 2012-08-22 05:00:05

Everyone in the audience watched expectantly. The speaker had just challenged someone from the audience to come up on stage and try to get him to let go of a $20 bill from his clenched fist. The first lady steps up and pries on his fingers, but doesn’t have any luck. The next guy is [...]How to “Make” Someone Do Something is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Save Money on HR Certification Credits (Free Webinar)

Published on 2012-08-20 05:00:52

In my third and final PHR/SPHR webinar with the fine folks at Dovetail Software, I wanted to offer something to help the 100k+ HR pros who are already certified. I, and many others, often talk about how to pass the HR certification exams. However, the people that already have don’t have any use for that [...]How to Save Money on HR Certification Credits (Free Webinar) is a post from: UpstartHR

Department Metrics-Gaining Instant Credibility

Published on 2012-08-17 05:00:32

You hate him, don’t you. That guy from marketing (or accounting, finance, etc.) always has to show off with his slick charts and pretty presentations. I mean, what are we going to do? We’re in HR, darn it. We can’t be that snazzy, can we? The first time I shared some HR department metrics with [...]Department Metrics-Gaining Instant Credibility is a post from: UpstartHR

Is Human Resource Management a Good Career? (Yep!)

Published on 2012-08-15 05:00:15

The story of my human resource management career rolls merrily along… Well, it happened. I knew the day was coming, and it is finally here. My manager recently announced her plan to go to part-time and semi-retire from the company, and with her support I was moved to be the lead of all HR/recruiting activities [...]Is Human Resource Management a Good Career? (Yep!) is a post from: UpstartHR

The Goal of Human Resource Management

Published on 2012-08-13 05:00:17

AKA How HR management facilitates corporate and staff goals In my time in the HR profession, I have had the pleasure of working with some leaders that taught me the importance of solid HR and how that looks in the day-to-day running of the business. Supporting leadership, managers, and employees is the primary goal for [...]The Goal of Human Resource Management is a post from: UpstartHR

How Much Money Can You Make with an HR Certification?

Published on 2012-08-09 05:00:51

The value of a PHR or SPHR certification is often discussed heatedly. Some believe it’s worth the time and money invested, but others think it’s just a waste. PayScale.com has sifted through their salary data and come up with some solid answers for everyone. Interested in taking the exam? Check out what HR certification materials [...]How Much Money Can You Make with an HR Certification? is a post from: UpstartHR

HR-Stop With the Problems Already

Published on 2012-08-06 05:00:32

“I don’t like going to HR meetings. They are always about problems, not solutions.” I heard that comment at the SHRM conference earlier this summer, and it’s stuck with me ever since. There is nothing quite like having to sit in front of your CEO and tell them about some problem that is coming at [...]HR-Stop With the Problems Already is a post from: UpstartHR

Handling Disrespect at Work-The Respect Effect (Book Review)

Published on 2012-08-03 05:00:23

How to teach managers and teams about disrespect at work Recently I received a copy of The Respect Effect to review. This post is less of a book review and more of a discussion about one specific idea I found in the book, but it’s been a good read and I definitely have some good [...]Handling Disrespect at Work-The Respect Effect (Book Review) is a post from: UpstartHR

Free HRCI Credits-Webcasts, Webinars, and Podcasts

Published on 2012-08-01 05:00:31

One of the common questions I’ve heard from people who get their HR certification is how to get free HRCI credits for recertification. I’ve been working on a new guide lately (soon to be released!), and one of the pieces of information I’m covering is continuing education credits. (By the way, if you haven’t responded [...]Free HRCI Credits-Webcasts, Webinars, and Podcasts is a post from: UpstartHR

HR Recertification-How Do You Do It?

Published on 2012-07-30 05:00:35

I’m working on a new HR recertification guide to provide some unique ideas for how to get HRCI recert credits to renew your PHR, SPHR, or GPHR certification. One thing I wanted to do was ask you guys for some help. HRCI allows professionals to use a range of activities to count toward recertification credits, [...]HR Recertification-How Do You Do It? is a post from: UpstartHR

Change Management-Communication Stealth Tip

Published on 2012-07-25 05:00:58

One of my favorite classes as a senior in college was Change Management. Communication was always billed as a key tool for managing widespread organizational changes, but it was always mentioned in concurrence with the actual activities. Basically-be a reporter and share everything that’s happening. I have since learned that while that is a good [...]Change Management-Communication Stealth Tip is a post from: UpstartHR

Employee Performance: Manage and Prosper

Published on 2012-07-23 05:00:05

A performance discussion for those who manage others I have been thinking a lot about performance management lately-namely, how can managers get it done faster, better, and more effectively? I run into complaints about all areas of performance feedback: how to do it, what to say, how to have time for it, etc. I get [...]Employee Performance: Manage and Prosper is a post from: UpstartHR

No Thanks, Mr. Brokaw (A Rant)

Published on 2012-07-20 05:00:11

I’ve had something in the back of my mind since I got home from the SHRM conference, and I am going to have to get it off my chest. If you’re not in the mood for a little rant, feel free to check out The Oatmeal for something funny. One of the general session speakers [...]No Thanks, Mr. Brokaw (A Rant) is a post from: UpstartHR

HR-Proposals Make You Better

Published on 2012-07-19 05:00:08

I’ve been working with our business development team on a big project. The HR proposal portion is an amazing exercise, because it’s all about us forcing ourselves to quantify the impact that we have on the organization. Sitting there and discussing what differentiates our organization from others in terms of recruiting, retention, etc. opens your [...]HR-Proposals Make You Better is a post from: UpstartHR

PHR-SPHR Exam Topics (Free Webinar)

Published on 2012-07-17 05:00:34

Ever wonder what sort of topics are on the PHR or SPHR exams? Look no further! It’s that time again, and I’m getting geared up to work with Dovetail Software on our second webinar to help those who are thinking about taking the HR certification exams. What we’ll cover The first webinar focused on the [...]PHR-SPHR Exam Topics (Free Webinar) is a post from: UpstartHR

Change Your Life Not Your Wife (Book Review)

Published on 2012-07-16 05:00:45

I was intrigued when I was approached about reviewing the book Change Your Life Not Your Wife: Marriage Saving Advice for Success Driven People. The idea of a marriage book for business people was an interesting mix, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The authors, Tony Ferreti and Peter J. Weiss, put their cards on the [...]Change Your Life Not Your Wife (Book Review) is a post from: UpstartHR

Zen Recruiting Wisdom

Published on 2012-07-10 05:00:09

Don’t just choose the better candidate, choose the candidate that makes your company better. Next time you’re trying to choose between two similar candidates, consider which one makes your organization more valuable. Zen Recruiting Wisdom is a post from: UpstartHR You may also enjoy...How to Read a Resume for Culture Fit#SHRM12-Keys to Corporate Recruiting LeadershipZipRecruiter-My [...]Zen Recruiting Wisdom is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Read a Resume for Culture Fit

Published on 2012-07-09 05:00:05

Have you ever wondered how to read a resume to get the best understanding of the candidate’s fit for the job? What’s the most important part to focus on? Is it the objective? Is it where you went to school? Maybe it’s your last employer? Google’s staffing director discusses how to read a resume It’s [...]How to Read a Resume for Culture Fit is a post from: UpstartHR

Job Feedback-You’re Doing it Wrong

Published on 2012-07-03 05:00:30

I heard a new term to describe poor job feedback recently at the SHRM 2012 Conference, and I just had to share it here. gunnysack feedback [guhn-ee-sak feed-bak] noun the act of saving all of an employee’s feedback over time and delivering it all at one time during an annual performance review; see also terrible management [...]Job Feedback-You’re Doing it Wrong is a post from: UpstartHR

To the Social Media Whiz Kids at #SHRM12

Published on 2012-07-01 05:00:49

I started to put “bloggers” in the title, but there are so many people from the conference who started using Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the first time, and I wanted to include those as well. These are my thoughts on where we’ve come, where we’re going, and what everyone needs to do now. Hope [...]To the Social Media Whiz Kids at #SHRM12 is a post from: UpstartHR

#SHRM12-Keys to Corporate Recruiting Leadership

Published on 2012-06-27 05:00:02

On Monday at SHRM 2012 I was able to attend 5 Keys to Corporate Recruiting Leadership led by John Vlastelica. I’ve been recruiting in this job for nearly a year and a half now, and I really enjoy the hands on part of it; however, I haven’t put much thought into the overall strategy involved. [...]#SHRM12-Keys to Corporate Recruiting Leadership is a post from: UpstartHR

#SHRM12-Twitter Doesn’t Make Managers Better

Published on 2012-06-26 04:50:00

Yesterday, Jose Berrios of SHRM spent some time talking about diversity, and he mentioned using a Twitter-like tool to let managers give employee feedback in short, 140-character snippets. Many of the audience members agreed that it was a good idea, but I was quick to point out that it isn’t really that easy. My alternative [...]#SHRM12-Twitter Doesn’t Make Managers Better is a post from: UpstartHR

#SHRM12-Quick Hits from Monday Morning

Published on 2012-06-25 08:04:15

There were a handful of great tweets from people sharing content from the SHRM Annual Conference that I thought were notable this morning (I snagged four out of hundreds, and I hope to expand on these in blog posts soon). What makes a great place to work? Trust, pride, enjoyment. Factors that make a company [...]#SHRM12-Quick Hits from Monday Morning is a post from: UpstartHR

#SHRM12-Stepping It Up From Day One

Published on 2012-06-24 16:58:00

I arrived in Atlanta just a few short hours ago, and I’ve already seen some great things that tell me this is going to be a fantastic event. My goal in the next few days is to 1) take as many notes as possible so I can go back to work and impact my employer [...]#SHRM12-Stepping It Up From Day One is a post from: UpstartHR

Lessons Learned from a Crash and Burn

Published on 2012-06-22 05:00:14

Sometimes I delve into something semi-personal here, because darn it, I’ve done enough stuff the wrong way to provide object lessons from here until the end of time. Today I just can’t get my latest running event out of my head. Last month I toed the starting line of the Run for Kids 50k with [...]Lessons Learned from a Crash and Burn is a post from: UpstartHR

#SHRM12 Sessions On My Agenda

Published on 2012-06-21 05:00:36

I’ve been looking at the long list of concurrent sessions at SHRM12, and it’s a little bit frustrating. If it was possible, I’d attend more than 75% of the sessions on the list. However, I only have time for 6-8 in the two and a half days I’m there. I’ve narrowed the list down significantly [...]#SHRM12 Sessions On My Agenda is a post from: UpstartHR

6 Human Resources Tips For Managers

Published on 2012-06-19 05:00:37

Recently I was asked about human resources tips that managers need to know. There are quite a few, but I was able to narrow the list down to 6 good ones. Please feel free to copy this post and email it to all of your managers if you think it would be valuable for them! I’ll [...]6 Human Resources Tips For Managers is a post from: UpstartHR

Free PHR-SPHR Webinar

Published on 2012-06-18 05:00:55

Because I talk fairly often about the PHR and SPHR exams, my friends over at Dovetail Software decided to ask if I would work with them on a series of webinars to help people get their feet wet when it comes to the HR certification arena. Naturally I jumped at the chance! What to expect [...]Free PHR-SPHR Webinar is a post from: UpstartHR

Excitement Should Come With a Warning Label

Published on 2012-06-13 05:00:47

My excitement is greater than my mental capacity. -Will Brannon Have you had one of these experiences lately? You know what I’m talking about–you make a sudden connection or realization, and for a brief moment your passion overwhelms your mind with potential possibilities. In that instant, anything is possible. Anything can happen. “What if’s” and [...]Excitement Should Come With a Warning Label is a post from: UpstartHR

Psst-Your Greatness is Showing

Published on 2012-06-11 05:00:00

I’ve been doing a lot of research lately on another company that we are competing with. Within five minutes of Google searching, it quickly became obvious that their website is woefully inadequate. Their site is 2-3 static pages of fluff (the majority of which is focused on their CEO’s history and accomplishments). They don’t mention [...]Psst-Your Greatness is Showing is a post from: UpstartHR

ZipRecruiter-My Test Run

Published on 2012-06-08 05:00:45

I like recruiting. For those that know me well, it’s funny, because I really am not that outgoing or verbose in person. So why do I love recruiting? Maybe it’s because I get to talk about the place I work. Maybe it’s something else. But one of my biggest frustrations with recruiting is the time [...]ZipRecruiter-My Test Run is a post from: UpstartHR

Got a Minute? 9 Lessons for HR Professionals (Book Review)

Published on 2012-06-06 05:00:17

When I received a review copy for Got a Minute: The 9 Lessons Every HR Professional Must Learn to be Successful, I had no idea I would enjoy it as much as I did. With dozens of real, personal stories embedded throughout the book that will make you laugh with delight and shake your head [...]Got a Minute? 9 Lessons for HR Professionals (Book Review) is a post from: UpstartHR

Process Outsourcing 101

Published on 2012-06-04 05:00:03

When I sometimes used to read articles talking about outsourcing HR functions, and I was quite puzzled. I can’t imagine the majority of the work I do on a daily basis being handled outside our organization. However, as we continue to grow, we are looking for opportunities to hand off non-critical tasks to outside vendors, [...]Process Outsourcing 101 is a post from: UpstartHR

The Little Things and Unemployed HR Pros-Guest Post Blitz #10

Published on 2012-06-01 05:00:28

What do focusing on the “little” details and social media for unemployed HR pros have in common? They’re two of the guest posts that I’ve written lately! Please check them out and leave a comment. I know that Charlie and Robin would definitely appreciate it. Nothing bigger than the little things-I look at how the [...]The Little Things and Unemployed HR Pros-Guest Post Blitz #10 is a post from: UpstartHR

Job Fair Rules for Employers

Published on 2012-05-31 04:55:49

Job fairs aren’t for everyone, and they’re not for every company/industry. But if your company happens to participate in them, I wanted to give you a few quick tips to help avoid disaster. Give a darn about the people who took the time out of their day to come and talk with you about your employer. [...]Job Fair Rules for Employers is a post from: UpstartHR

Asking Questions at Work-Better Questions Equal Better Results

Published on 2012-05-29 05:00:58

If you’ve never thought about the impact of asking questions at work in a better way, I’m going to help change that today. Consider the following list of questions you’d hear in the average day: Why do we have to go through this change? Why can’t we find good people? When will that guy do [...]Asking Questions at Work-Better Questions Equal Better Results is a post from: UpstartHR

Assume the best

Published on 2012-05-25 05:00:14

Yesterday I had an interesting incident occur that reminded me just how our worldviews can skew our actions. This has a tie to the business world, so hang with me. Once upon a time As is often the case, I was walking out of the grocery store with a ginormous box of diapers (Pampers Baby [...]Assume the best is a post from: UpstartHR

The Candidate Experience-How Confident are You?

Published on 2012-05-23 05:00:03

What The Candidate Experience Means to Me I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the candidates for our positions. I do what I can to provide a transparent, high-touch process (click here to listen to me talk more about our hiring process and recruiting philosophy), but sometimes it just gets tough to make sure everyone [...]The Candidate Experience-How Confident are You? is a post from: UpstartHR

Grow Young Professional Employees Who Create a Calm Company Culture

Published on 2012-05-21 05:15:24

As a manager, it’s important to create an environment in which all of your employees can thrive. You should strive to develop employees that are positive and proactive—from day one. For your young professionals, the most coddled generation in our nation’s history, it can often be tricky to dance in the uncomfortable and very necessary [...]Grow Young Professional Employees Who Create a Calm Company Culture is a post from: UpstartHR

A Few Updates for the Curious

Published on 2012-05-18 05:00:57

Sometimes I wish I could be everywhere at once. Alas, that isn’t going to be happening any time soon, but it seems like things are staying at least that busy! Here’s what is on my mind at the moment. SHRM12 in Atlanta-I’m going. Are you? If you’d like to meet in person (warning: I’m much [...]A Few Updates for the Curious is a post from: UpstartHR

No More Mister Nice Guy

Published on 2012-05-16 04:39:45

Recently I ran across an article that led with an interesting premise: if you want to be better than the competition, you need to be asking better interview questions. That made me stop and think. In the HR blogging space we are very friendly with each other and often provide advice that is informative and [...]No More Mister Nice Guy is a post from: UpstartHR

Corporate Legends-Your Culture Weapon

Published on 2012-05-14 05:00:58

Using Corporate Legends to Communicate Culture We often hear that communicating organizational culture is an important task. However, most people fail to provide examples on how to do that very thing! I’ve been testing different methods for sharing culture (collecting touchstones, for one), but one of my favorite ways to share our corporate beliefs and values [...]Corporate Legends-Your Culture Weapon is a post from: UpstartHR

HRevolution-Is it for the “little guy?”

Published on 2012-05-11 05:00:17

A few months back I read a great post by Keith McIlvane about wanting HR conferences to offer more content toward small companies. My first answer for HR conference problems is almost always going to be an event like HRevolution, because it allows participants to drive the conversations and topics that they find interesting, not [...]HRevolution-Is it for the “little guy?” is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Become a Best Place to Work

Published on 2012-05-09 05:15:29

If you’re looking for ideas on how to become a best place to work, maybe I can help. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend the Huntsville Best Places to Work Awards ceremony, and Pinnacle received an award in the “micro” size business category. Over 200 companies were nominated to kick off the process, [...]How to Become a Best Place to Work is a post from: UpstartHR

Company Success Stories-A Lesson from Clif Bar

Published on 2012-05-07 05:00:02

Have you ever thought about company success stories? Most of us are captivated by the startup company “started in a garage and became a millionaire” type stories. I wasn’t looking for an object lesson, but I found one in an interesting place. I snagged a Clif Bar to munch on before the Run for Kids [...]Company Success Stories-A Lesson from Clif Bar is a post from: UpstartHR

I Heart Cake Time

Published on 2012-05-03 05:00:38

Like many companies, we have a once a month birthday recognition and sit down together to share one of my favorite food groups–cake. I am a fast eater, so I usually finish very quickly and then just sit and talk or listen to others tell about some personal events in their lives. And as much [...]I Heart Cake Time is a post from: UpstartHR

Human Resource Management Planning-The Micro Level

Published on 2012-05-01 05:06:34

Shortly into my lunch meeting, I realized it was a human resource management planning exercise in disguise. And it was so much fun. I talk often about what it’s like working for Pinnacle. A sizable portion of what makes it a great working environment is having a manager who truly spends their time looking for [...]Human Resource Management Planning-The Micro Level is a post from: UpstartHR

Developing Your Team-Commitment Matters

Published on 2012-04-30 05:30:41

Developing your team the “Edward Jones” way For the past few months, my youngest brother has been going through the hiring process for the hardcore Edward Jones PASS program. I had the opportunity to sit and talk with him about the steps he took to get the position, and it honestly floored me at all [...]Developing Your Team-Commitment Matters is a post from: UpstartHR

Am I The Only One?

Published on 2012-04-27 05:45:38

I have been working all kinds of wacky projects this week (international labor law, anyone?), and it’s only magnified one of my huge (and I mean huge) deficiencies–a lack of organization. My desk looks like a bomb went off. Ka-blooey. (And I need your help.) Sure, I can talk a good game, but sooner or [...]Am I The Only One? is a post from: UpstartHR

PHR vs SPHR-Which is right for you?

Published on 2012-04-25 04:38:46

One of the major questions that faces HR pros considering certification: Should you take the PHR or SPHR exam? For some people, it’s fairly clear cut if you only qualify for the PHR, but if you have the experience to attempt the SPHR, which should you pursue? Want a $20 discount on PHR/SPHR study materials? [...]PHR vs SPHR-Which is right for you? is a post from: UpstartHR

50 Human Resource Challenges to Overcome

Published on 2012-04-23 04:45:12

AKA Human Resource Challenges to Light Your Fire Today I’m going to step on some toes. I’m going to push you a little bit. And you know what? That’s a good thing. We all need a little bit of that in order to be the best that we can be. Today we’re going to look [...]50 Human Resource Challenges to Overcome is a post from: UpstartHR

New HR Job-Questions to Ask Management

Published on 2012-04-20 05:27:58

Today we are working off of a reader question about questions for an HR manager to ask the management at a new employer. If you’d like to submit a question, please email me and I’ll do my very best to incorporate it into a future post. Thanks! Have you ever written a post about when [...]New HR Job-Questions to Ask Management is a post from: UpstartHR

How to praise an employee

Published on 2012-04-18 04:45:44

Learning how to praise an employee isn’t hard, but if you spend time around some managers, you would think it was akin to climbing Everest or swimming across the ocean. It doesn’t have to be a such an ordeal. Here’s the short and sweet version: Walk up to the employee who deserves the praise. Tell [...]How to praise an employee is a post from: UpstartHR

Readability-What HR Pros Need to Know

Published on 2012-04-16 04:45:36

Prepare for some gobbledygook: Job Announcements — Public notices are used to announce the recruitment for vacant positions. These job announcements can be accessed through NVAPPS (Nevada Applicant Placement and Processing System) via the Division of Human Resource Management’s website at www.dop.nv.gov. NVAPPS allows you to conveniently search and apply for job openings online. Job announcements include salary information, a [...]Readability-What HR Pros Need to Know is a post from: Up [..]

Work-Life Balance Program, How I Love Thee

Published on 2012-04-14 10:45:52

AKA Our Work Life Balance Program Saved My Sanity I’m writing this with the grainy-eyed-haven’t-slept-in-almost-24-hours stare that is usually associated with psychopaths and highly-caffeinated college students. This has been a week for the record books, and I’m hoping tomorrow turns out better. The short version is that a perfect storm of personal and work activities [...]Work-Life Balance Program, How I Love Thee is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Develop Managers-Get Them Involved

Published on 2012-04-11 04:49:58

In my first post on how to develop managers, I talked about uncovering manager development opportunities. Today we’ll talk about how to structure your organization so the managers want to get involved with their own development. Hire right It starts with the hire. If you hire someone who is comfortable with what they can already [...]How to Develop Managers-Get Them Involved is a post from: UpstartHR

Employee Referral Recruitment-Pros and Cons

Published on 2012-04-09 05:00:13

Interested in growing your employee referral recruitment but not sure how to get started? Today we’ll look at a few ways to encourage the process as well as a few ideas to keep it from getting out of hand (the “good old boy” system, people trying to circumvent the process, etc.). What and Why Employee [...]Employee Referral Recruitment-Pros and Cons is a post from: UpstartHR

Eleven Signs You Need to Get Out of HR

Published on 2012-04-06 05:00:58

We’ve all seen them. They drag their crusty, misshapen forms around, spreading despair and agony in their wake. No, I’m not talking about trolls, I’m talking about HR people! We’ve all worked with them before, but some might look at you and think that you fit the bill. Here are a handful of signs you [...]Eleven Signs You Need to Get Out of HR is a post from: UpstartHR

Job Seeker Tip #347-Passion Matters

Published on 2012-04-04 05:00:59

We’ve been going through a few interview rounds for a Subcontracts Administrator position lately, and it never ceases to amaze me that some people still fail to prepare adequately. No, I’m not talking about knowing how to answer the silly “What’s your greatest weakness?” question. I’m talking about being excited, upbeat, and ready to talk [...]Job Seeker Tip #347-Passion Matters is a post from: UpstartHR

Corporate Culture-Values, Beliefs, and… Job Applications?

Published on 2012-04-02 05:00:27

When you’re trying to learn about an organization’s corporate culture, values, and beliefs, you need to pay attention to the available information to get a good feel for it. One of my friends is looking at applying to a local private Christian school, and I went to their website to print the application for him [...]Corporate Culture-Values, Beliefs, and… Job Applications? is a post from: UpstartHR

Corporate Culture Examples

Published on 2012-03-30 05:00:49

If you’ve been looking for some corporate culture examples, look no further. I’ve pulled together a handful of ideas that you can put into action to help your employees become raving fans of the organization. Some of them are easy to implement in the short term, others might take a little more work to get [...]Corporate Culture Examples is a post from: UpstartHR

Our accidental wellness program

Published on 2012-03-29 05:00:56

A quick decision at work last fall has led to untold hours of friendship and fun, and it was entirely unplanned. This is the story of our accidental wellness program. August 2011 One of our engineers decided to start training for a local marathon. She was already running some, and a few of us at [...]Our accidental wellness program is a post from: UpstartHR

#HRevolution 2012 is in Chicago, are you in?

Published on 2012-03-26 20:30:50

Wow! We just got the finishing touches on the website and the registration page for HRevolution 2012 in Chicago. While we had planned to launch on Tuesday, we have already had a handful of people happen across the site to register early. It still amazes me at the fanatical level of devotion embodied by the [...]#HRevolution 2012 is in Chicago, are you in? is a post from: UpstartHR

4 Things Great HR Pros Know

Published on 2012-03-26 05:00:12

In an effort to try and keep a handle on the products and services my company provides (hint: great HR pros have a solid understanding of the business side of the organization), I picked up a defense industry magazine the other day. The main article focused on what great program managers know about product support. [...]4 Things Great HR Pros Know is a post from: UpstartHR

Employee Financial Wellness

Published on 2012-03-23 04:59:30

If employee financial wellness is not on your radar, it should be. The level of employee stress and the resulting business impact caused by this widespread issue can’t be ignored. Some studies indicate that up to 1/4 of your employee population is dealing with serious financial issues. In fact, Financial Finesse’s most recent research on [...]Employee Financial Wellness is a post from: UpstartHR

HRCP-Guaranteed to Pass or your Money Back

Published on 2012-03-21 05:00:01

With a background of working for numerous small companies, I am a strong supporter of those people and organizations that take a step of risk and try to fill a need in the marketplace, no matter who the competition may be. That’s how I found HRCP a few years ago, and I’ve been a big [...]HRCP-Guaranteed to Pass or your Money Back is a post from: UpstartHR

Does HR Really Care?

Published on 2012-03-19 05:00:14

This snippet appeared in a post on the Ask a Manager blog a few months back. Thought it was a good topic to jump start a post as well as a great reminder from Alison on the dual roles of HR. Sometimes when I read an article advising a reader to go to their HR department for [...]Does HR Really Care? is a post from: UpstartHR

Unplugging, focus, and perspective

Published on 2012-03-16 05:00:18

Yesterday I returned from a short getaway and jumped straight back into work. However, I had some interesting thoughts and definitely wanted to share them since when I talk to you guys about issues you’re facing, they’re usually issues I’m facing as well. The importance of unplugging Last Saturday I ran in a relay race [...]Unplugging, focus, and perspective is a post from: UpstartHR

What are your “big” ideas?

Published on 2012-03-09 05:00:09

One of our core values at work is “provide innovative solutions that exceed expectations.” That might seem like a standard/blah kind of idea, but it plays out in a way that I haven’t encountered anywhere else I’ve worked. We have a “big ideas” database that allows employees to share ideas on anything they think might [...]What are your “big” ideas? is a post from: UpstartHR

HR Brand-Words vs Actions

Published on 2012-03-07 05:00:37

Your HR brand is what you do, not what you say As part of our rebranding of HR we were asked to come up with a new name for our Human Resources department. Can you guys help me with your suggestions to rename our department? I don’t want to pick on the person who posted [...]HR Brand-Words vs Actions is a post from: UpstartHR

Employee HR Portal-How to Build One

Published on 2012-03-05 05:00:39

I’ve had “create an employee HR portal” on my To Do list for a while now, and this week is the one where I check that little item off as complete. When it first appeared on the list, I honestly wasn’t sure what I was looking for. Besides walking around and asking people what they [...]Employee HR Portal-How to Build One is a post from: UpstartHR

Catch me today on DriveThruHR!

Published on 2012-03-01 05:00:33

I’ll be talking on DriveThruHR today, and I’d love for you to call in or listen online. The show is at noon central time and runs for a (fairly quick!) thirty minutes. If you miss the show, you can listen to the archive afterward. Click here to visit the DriveThruHR site Click here to add [...]Catch me today on DriveThruHR! is a post from: UpstartHR

New Supervisor Training

Published on 2012-02-29 05:00:07

I attended a new supervisor training session a few years ago, and it left me with some strong feelings about how to run a supervisor training program. I think the way it’s traditionally been done is a poor method for teaching managers what they need to know, but I haven’t decided on the right combination [...]New Supervisor Training is a post from: UpstartHR

Five years ago (HR Carnival)

Published on 2012-02-27 05:00:34

This week’s HR carnival is going to be going up at EvilHRLady on Wednesday. The theme is “What were you doing five years ago?”, so I thought I would throw in a post to that effect. Nothing enlightening or exciting today, just a chance for me (and you) to reflect back on the amount of changes [...]Five years ago (HR Carnival) is a post from: UpstartHR

Subcultures, consistency, and focus

Published on 2012-02-22 05:00:47

Today is kind of a random collection of ideas. Blog posts usually come from the intersection of two or more ideas, and this one certainly followed that formula. Today I read a post on corporate culture and consistency on the Sanera People Development blog. I urge you to click through and read it, because it [...]Subcultures, consistency, and focus is a post from: UpstartHR

Signs That a Person is Lying-Free Guide

Published on 2012-02-20 05:00:03

What are the signs that a person is lying? The person rubs their forehead or neck Perspiring, trembling and blushing Delayed nodding to support an answer they’ve given All of the above If you’ve been in HR for very long, you have probably run across some employee relations or management issues. Inevitably, someone will end [...]Signs That a Person is Lying-Free Guide is a post from: UpstartHR

Retention Management-11 Ways Managers Can Influence Turnover

Published on 2012-02-17 08:00:16

Retention management is a responsibility that is pushed from HR to managers to executives and back again. As the ones closest to the action, supervisors can have a positive impact on employee turnover if they take the right steps. “People leave managers, not companies.” Marcus Buckingham in First, Break All the Rules Whatever your turnover [...]Retention Management-11 Ways Managers Can Influence Turnover is a post from: UpstartHR

4 Ways HR Can Prepare for Business Growth

Published on 2012-02-15 05:00:56

When you work for a smallish company, you need to be ready for growth. And I’m not talking the 2-3% increases over the course of time. I’m talking about the decisions that lead to explosive growth, seemingly overnight. Don’t be “that HR guy/gal” who finds out after the fact that big changes are coming. Have [...]4 Ways HR Can Prepare for Business Growth is a post from: UpstartHR

How to Create a New Hire Welcome Letter

Published on 2012-02-13 05:00:24

Have you ever wondered how to send a new hire welcome letter to get the employment relationship started on the right foot? I started sending a letter to new hires last year, and I’ve tweaked it over time to cover more questions, beef up explanations, and pretty much share as much information as I possibly [...]How to Create a New Hire Welcome Letter is a post from: UpstartHR

Not the usual social media pitch

Published on 2012-02-08 05:00:40

Short post today because I’m preparing for a presentation I have to give at lunch to a local SHRM chapter. The title is as bland as they come–Social Media for HR–but it isn’t the usual “rah rah for social media” content you hear. Here’s my opening: If I was a lawyer, this is where I’d [...]Not the usual social media pitch is a post from: UpstartHR

HR to Employee Ratio

Published on 2012-02-06 05:00:43

HR to Employee Ratio-more than just a number Sometimes you have to stop and wonder where common sense has gone. Companies are expecting more from their HR team than ever before, but according to data gathered by XpertHR, companies are increasing the number of employees relative to the number of HR professionals. This leads to [...]HR to Employee Ratio is a post from: UpstartHR

Do Resumes Go Into a Black Hole? 3 Ways to Get Noticed

Published on 2012-02-02 05:00:44

The Top 3 Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed in an Applicant Tracking System In today’s competitive marketplace, applying for a job can be an exercise in frustration. The endless resume submission process can feel like a black hole when you don’t receive a response. What can you do to get your resume past the [...]Do Resumes Go Into a Black Hole? 3 Ways to Get Noticed is a post from: UpstartHR

Blogging lessons as I pass a milestone

Published on 2012-01-30 05:00:46

Hey, everyone! Today we’re going super informal. Not that it’s much different from the norm, but I wanted to warn you. I was gearing up to write a post for today and noticed that I missed it last week. I hit 400 posts (on this blog) and there was no fanfare. There was no celebration. [...]Blogging lessons as I pass a milestone is a post from: UpstartHR

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