Serendipity is an interesting concept. The definition is: the phenomenon of finding something good by accident.
Which is what both of us did a few days back.
In reviewing the HREvolution Agenda the two of us - Paul & Paul (that would be me and Paul Smith - author of the HR Blog - Welcome to the Occupation) - discovered each of our tracks was similar but different.
Similar in that they are both focused on “influence.” Different in that one focuses on you personally being more influential, the other on how the programs you design can be more influential. Serendipitously, one helps the other and vice versa.
So that you have it straight from the sources themselves…
Here is Paul Hebert describing his session:
“My session will be about the various subtle, yet effective ways an HR Professional can use social psychology, motivation and behavioral economics to increase the effectiveness of the many programs HR is responsible for. From ‘recognition’ programs, to simply getting more folks signed up for benefits or 401K programs.
There are many tactics and techniques that have been proven to increase the number of people who will respond to a request. These tactics are critical if HR wants to have real impact in an organization. Based on the responses I got on my recent poll on my site - it looks like I’ll walk through a few of the techniques and then take some “problems” from the crowd and show how these tactics can be used in real-life situations to increase participation and compliance to HR requests.”
So that’s Paul H’s “influence” session.
The cool thing is that the same techniques that help HR Pros design company initiatives to be more effective are the same techniques that can be applied on a personal level to increase your own influence.
And that’s where Paul Smith comes in....
“My session is based on the closing session at last year’s HREvolution in which Laurie Ruettimann made the comment that everyone in this room should be in high-ranking HR positions making $200,000 a year. As much I was in total agreement with this, especially the money part, I think the gist behind her comment was each of us needs to be in positions of influence in our organizations or our communities. I think this was a great takeaway for the end of HREvolution 2010. But I was left with some questions.
How do I become an influencer? What does it mean to be an influencer? What is influence?
There is no one size fits all for success in being an influence. Each person has to find that within themselves and the life they lead. However there is one constant: after HREvolution 2011 comes to close, there are hugs and good-byes; there are hotel check-outs and airplane rides back home. And Monday morning will come and we will step back into our jobs. The attendees will feel changed. No one else around them will. Everyone needs their own call to action….but what is it? What is the recipe for success? How do we evolve and become more empowered?
Alongside my dynamic co-facilitator, China Gorman, we will explore how anyone at any level can be more influential. “
So here’s the pitch to all you HRevolution attendees... we think the two sessions:
One focused on how HR can design better programs within their company by upping the “influence” quotient…
and...
…the other on how YOU personally can be more influential…
...dovetail nicely for a complete “influence” package.
But...Houston - we have a problem.
Our sessions are at the same time. So unless you’ve figured out how to bend the space-time continuum, you can’t do both. But we really think you should.
So...we’re working to see if we can get the Big Kahunas at HRevolution to move some of the sessions around without pissing anyone off so you can attend both. We’ll let you know when we think we’ve got this worked out.
If the schedule doesn’t change, you’ll have to decide which session will influence you the most…
May serendipity be with you. Yours in the revolution...
Paul & Paul
Wow, as a "Big Kahuna", which I have never been called before that I know of, I can assure you that moving your sessions back-to-back will be done. What a great way to show the value of learning about and discussing influence as a holistic approach! We'll update the agenda and announce it to everyone in the next few days.
Until then....viva la revolution!
Posted by: Trish McFarlane | April 19, 2011 at 10:05 AM