Coming back from a duo-conference in Las Vegas (HRevolution and The HR Technology Conference) requires a few days to decompress. When you take the amount of business and technological information available, add in demos, friends, numerous parties and the call of the Vegas casinos and other distractions, it makes for five days of exhaustive participation.

I’ll write more about HRevolution in future posts but today, I’d like to share my thoughts and observations about the HR Technology Conference.  Since 1998, this is the premier conference for technology advances in the HR space.  And, as a practitioner for many years, it never occurred to me to attend until three years ago.  Even then, I did not fully understand the positive impact that learning more about HR technology would have on my career.  Taking time to learn about the technological advances in the profession along with the opportunity to network with industry insiders is priceless.  If you’ve never been to The HR Technology Conference, I’d like to share my perspective on the value you can gain.

The Sessions and Speakers

This is one of the few conferences in the human resources industry to adapt the sessions to the specific needs of different types of participants.  They offer traditional presentation style sessions on a wide array of topics, debates among leaders in the space, panels to allow the participants to ask questions of experts and even a new HRevolution unconference-style experience so that participants are fully engaged in discussion and participation.

The topics offered cover workforce planning, talent intelligence, understanding and incorporating social technologies and HCM analytics, to name a few.  And each year, you’ll hear vendors and clients sharing stories of how real, day-to-day workplace issues were solved using technology.

The Expo Hall and Vendors

A trip through the expo hall can be one where great value and insight is gained.  It can also be an intimidating place where a practitioner can feel completely overwhelmed.  Even worse, many HR conferences fill in the gaps with vendors who are there to sell purses, jewelry or other non-business related items.  You won’t find that here.

The expo hall at The HR Technology Conference provides the opportunity to see live demos of solutions.  Almost every vendor will take time to get to know what your business needs are, then show you how their product can help fill the gap.  You’ll see familiar names like Monster, Aquire and ADP.  You’ll also find smaller start ups who are taking social to a whole new level.  So, whether you work for a large, global employer or a small business, you’ll find solutions you need.

The Networking Events

Sure, this year the conference was in Las Vegas and I know that alone can give the impression of never-ending parties.  For some who seek it out, that can be the reality.  However, for most practitioners, you can find a good number of events that are fun and provide the ultimate networking experience.  This year, I was fortunate to attend several events where I met CEOs, CHROs, consultants, analysts and other practitioners.  They included events hosted by The Starr Conspiracy, Monster, Knowledge Infusion and several industry leaders.  These events are one of the best reasons to attend.  I have learned more and made lasting professional relationships here that is worth the cost of the ticket year after year.

The Cost/ Benefit Analysis

The price of a ticket is small considering all the benefits of attending.  Typically starting several months before the event, you can find discount codes with hundreds off the registration fee.  And, if you start planning for 2012 now, you can find great travel deals for your accommodations.  The HR Technology Conference will be back in Chicago on October 8th, 2012.  Be sure to mark your calendar for February 2012 when registration opens.  The conference will also offer scholarships to help qualifying individuals attend.

Thank you to Bill Kutik, David Schadovitz, Claude Werder and LRP Publiciations for hosting one of the top HR events each year!

I had the opportunity to be a guest this week on the Drive Thru HR radio show hosted by William Tincup and Bryan Wempen.

In this episode, we chat about HRevolution, the HR Technology Conference and what is going on in the world of business.  Please click through to take a listen…

Trish McFarlane on Drive Thru HR Radio

Sackett makes time for adoring fans

Today I have the opportunity to share an interview with Tim Sackett, HR pro, VP and self-proclaimed “Most Powerful Man in HR.”  Tim recently sat down with Kyle Lagunas from Software Advice.  They talked about the future for HR professionals, the impact of technology, talent communities, critical thinking and more.  Here’s a little taste:

Q: Ongoing training and learning is a popular strategy for retention. But which is more effective: talent learning programs or the actual opportunity for growth?

Sackett: Without a question, it’s the opportunity for growth. Companies will spend billions of dollars on talent development programs this year. The main reason they do that is either to try and placate employees they don’t have growth opportunities for, or to keep someone in place until he or she is ready to grow.

For the most part, if you can keep people satisfied and let them know there’s a growth plan for them, they’ll stay around. But that’s where a lot of companies fail in their development. They say, “We need you to get better at this.” But why do I need to get better at that? Where’s it going to lead me? They’ll say, “If you want to be promoted, you have to have better soft skills,” but what’s that promotion and when is it going to happen?

It’s tough. There’s a very small part of our population that can take a look at a talent development program and feel like, “This is the right thing for me now.” Our tendency is to say, “Let me go do it right now.” It’s hard to find those individuals that will say, “You’re right, Tim. I need to do this for three more years.”

So, is Tim Sackett truly the most powerful man in HR?  Or, is he more of an international man of mystery?  Who can really say?  Either way, he’s a smart and witty HR pro worth hearing more from.  Want to read more?  Click through for the full interview…..  There are also rumors you may get to meet him at the upcoming HRevolution so get registered today if you aren’t already.

HRevolution Las Vegas (10/2) is only 30 days away…..

get your ticket while there are a few left!  Click HERE to register for only $150!

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.  The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.  It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” ~Dale Carnegie

“Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” ~Kenyan proverb

Today, I am thankful for all the sticks in my bundles and teamwork is on my mind.  There are a couple things in my life right now that are reinforcing the importance of a strong team.  One is work, the other is personal.  From a work standpoint, it is my position at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.  The teamwork my colleagues demonstrate inspires me every day.   Never before have I felt such a strong pull of a team.  Sure, we all hear the lip service about being on a team, but have you ever REALLY experienced it?  I’m not sure I have.

Until now.

What are the elements I view as critical to being a team?

• Mission- Working with a group of people who have clear mission and who actively keep each other on track by ensuring we provide service that clearly links to the mission
• Communication-  Open lines of communication and knowing your opinion will be heard
• Respect-  Acknowledging the experiences of individual members and embracing them

The other team I am on is personal….my HRevolution team.  Working with Steve Boese, Matt Stollak and Ben Eubanks is wonderful.  Each of us volunteers our time to work together toward the common mission of pulling together an event for you~ the HR and recruiting professionals we want to interact with.  If you’re reading this blog, HRevolution is for YOU.

And, much like a work team or athletic team, the HRevolution team is focused.  We’ve got our goal, we communicate every day, and we have the utmost respect for each other and the strengths and abilities each individual brings to the table.  It’s a great feeling to be part of that.  And, we want YOU to be part of that.  Be sure to check out the HRevolution registration site and register for the event on October 2, 2011 in Las Vegas.  Tickets are going fast and who can pass up a conference for $150?   And this year you have two options.  Come one day for HRevolution OR stay on for the HR Technology Conference.  We’re partnering with them to bring you a great discount for both events.  

Registrants for HRevolution – Las Vegas will receive the largest discount code good for $600 off the onsite registration rate of $1,795 that can be applied to the HR Technology Conference registration. That’s the biggest discount available, so register for HRevolution today and we’ll send you your discount code for the HR Technology Conference!