I’m not typically one to share press releases or vendor news on a frequent basis, but there are times when practitioners like me need to be made aware of advancements in HR technology that can positively impact their ability to do business.  Many have heard of Oracle’s Fusion human capital management, but what you may not know is that it is now rapidly being used at more organizations.  These organizations are starting to see the benefits and just today, Oracle released news with some of the feedback.

It’s exciting to see leaders in the HR space like Gretchen Alarcon, Meg Bear and Steve Boese working on exciting projects to help revolutionize the way HR works.  Be sure to check out Oracle Fusion. 

Customers Adopt Oracle Fusion Human Capital Management to Help Maximize Valuable Assets and Achieve Business Goals

Oracle Continues Its Leadership in HR Applications With Next Generation Oracle Fusion HCM

Occasionally other commitments get in the way of writing as much as I’d like to on my blog. Whether it’s my day job, family commitments, travel or other projects, I am constantly grabbing scraps of paper to write down ideas for this site.  While I have many in various stages of completion, none were quite ready for “prime time” today.

Instead, I thought I’d hightlight several other writers who have recent articles I’ve enjoyed. I hope you’ll click through and give them a read and leave some feedback.  They are people like you and I, people who like to contribute to the HR and Recruiting profession and who are passionate about sharing with you.  Enjoy!

• Sirona Says: How to Add the Social Recruiting Layer Across Your Recruitment Process
• Welcome to the Occupation: TNL and Alternative Life Styles
• Steve Boese: When the Roomba Grows Up
• HR Fishbowl: TNL “Cover it Live” and Building Social Influence (a panel I was on)
• Stillman Says: Tattoo Placement and Re0imagining the Body (Guest post by Shauna Moerke)

As a human resource leader and practitioner, there are few conferences and learning opportunities that grab my attention.  One that is continually at the top of my list is the Senior HR Executive Conference.  This year, The Conference Board has invited me to lead a session with my colleague, Steve Boese.  We have both attended the event several times and this will be an opportunity to contribute by sharing our knowledge on HR, social tools and technology when communicating with employees, candidates and customers.

How Social Tools Can Empower A Global Organization

We’ll cover ways platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other sites may be viewed as a distractions for employees.  However, as organizations continue to strive to work more efficiently with fewer resources, social networking is playing an increasingly important role.  Whether it’s idea generation, discovery or collaborating with the external and internal ecosystem of partners and suppliers, it is a mechanism that organizations will need to decide whether to embrace or be passed by.  We’re hoping to generate considerable discussion around this topic.

In existence since 1916, The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. They help their member companies by providing research and understanding around four key areas-  Economy, Markets & Value Creation; Human Capital; Corporate Leadership; High-Performing Organizations.  This enables the companies to have a trusted resource to provide the insight needed to make business decisions.  They also provide quality conferences and leadership experiences.

Steve and I hope you’ll join us in New York, NY on November 15- 16, 2011 for two full days of sessions.  There will be tracks on HR Strategies and Issues, HR Management and Process and one on Talent and Leadership.  You can join the Conference on LinkedIn, using the following link: Senior HR Executive Conference on LinkedIn or on Facebook, using the following link: Senior HR Executive Conference on facebook.

For those of you who have not met me, I’m a high heels kind of gal.  I love them and wear them almost every day.  In fact, I’ve always been this way.  One type of shoe I’ve never owned and would feel like a total sham wearing is THE classic-  Chuck Taylors by Converse.  

Now, here’s where it gets interesting.  If you believe that the way that we express ourselves in our clothing and in our shoe choices somehow links to our beliefs and behaviors, we’d be in agreement.  You might even think that I’d feel most comfortable surrounding myself with other heel-wearing ladies.  But, this is where I’d lose you.  When I think of many of the professionals that have a solid impact and influence on my thinking about the present and the future of HR, one theme emerges.

They all wear Chuck Taylor’s.

Some of the great industry thinkers I know like Ruettimann, Boese, Nykolaiszyn, and Crosby, to name a few.

I wonder what that says about me.  I hope it says that I’m smart enough not to surround myself with only like-minded people.  I hope that it shows that I like to associate with people that may have the same passions as I do but vastly different opinions and approaches.  I think there is something to this.  And, maybe I’d stretch myself a little by lacing up a pair myself once in awhile.  You know, try to walk a mile in their shoes….

So, maybe next time we’re thinking about diversity, we should look down.  After all, what kind of shoes are you surrounding yourself with? They just might make you a better person.

I need your help today.

I start this post by saying that Steve Boese has no idea I’m writing this.  If he did, he may try to dissuade me.  That said, I have far too much respect for him not to share this.  You see, my friend Steve is going through what many of us have experienced at some point in the last few years….a layoff.  And while not completely unexpected, he certainly didn’t think his company was going to lay off a group of leaders last Thursday.

To tell you the most important thing about Steve is to share that he has strong character and is the kind of guy that gets the job done. He received this devistating news just one day before HRevolution.  He could have decided not to come.  But he didn’t.  He held his head high and came to the event that he co-creates and spent time around the very group of people from our industry who “get” what he does. To quote the leaders in the HR Technology space:

“Steve, at the HR Technology Conference, we always cared about your “day job” because you are expert in running HR systems, especially from Oracle. Plus teaching others about it. Combine that with your social experience and media knowledge, and you’re one special guy.  We look forward to your being a panelist at this year’s event in Vegas, in addition to hosting an HRevolution session with Trish on our own program, after doing the full-tilt boogie HRevolution in our hotel on the Sunday afternoon before our opening reception.  In short, you are a Renaissance Man in my world.” Bill Kutik

“I’m confident that your next best opportunity will find you.” Naomi Bloom

Here’s what you need to know about Steve:

• He has over 15 years experience implementing enterprise technologies for Human Resources, Recruiting, Finance and Distribution, including significant experience with Oracle E-business Suite Applications in numerous industries and locations. He’s served in a wide range of roles from team member, to team lead, to Project Manager.
• Steve is an award winning Human Resources blogger, speaker, and host of the weekly HR Happy Hour radio show, a live call in show about HR, Talent Management, Recruiting and technology now entering its third full year.
• Steve worked as a Applications Consultant for Oracle Corporation and has also owned a consulting company.
• He is an Adjunct Instructor at RIT, teaching a Graduate course in Human Resources Technology.
• Steve spends his free time as co-founder of the HRevolution event.  This is a progressive learning event for HR and business professionals that focuses on discussions around HR issues, technology, and media.  HRevolution is in it’s third year and Steve is one of the organizers of the event each year.

What We Can DO to help:

Each person who reads this blog has business contacts.  I ask you to think today of at least one person you can put Steve in contact with, one person you can pass his information to, one suggestion you can make to help Steve in his search.  One of the most important reasons to build our network is that when we’re in need, our community can circle the wagons.   Let’s do our part to help Steve today. His contact information is below.

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/steveboese

Phone (585) 317-7492

Twitter - @SteveBoese