Category Archives: Things

Social Responsibility is a Bunch of Crap!

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GUEST POST ALERT!  I know I’ve told a number of folks I don’t do guest posts – but it’s my site and I changed my mind – because I like this post from Ben Eubanks (check out his bio below), plus I like the kid and know him and did I mention it’s my site and I can do what I want?!  Check it out –

 

Social responsibility. It conjures up images of business people giving up their purpose and profits for the “greater good.” And I think it’s a load of crap.

I think businesses provide a much larger service to our economy than simply handing over their profits in the name of “social responsibility.” They provide jobs, products, and services that power our economy, and that’s more valuable than all the handouts in the world.

If a company is being ethical and lawful in their business dealings, then I think we have no right to expect them to do more. 

They are already having a major impact by offering jobs to people who might not have one otherwise. If you collected a paycheck sometime this month, raise your hand. Now, go and hug your CEO if you can find him/her.*

That is where businesses provide the greatest value to the rest of the world.

But we care about [animals / the environment / whatever]!

What’s going to help local charities and social programs to be successful? Money.

And where does money come from, ladies and gentlemen? Why, it comes from businesses creating valuable products and services and selling those in the open marketplace for a profit. Money in local economies is circulated when those businesses pay their employees who then go out and purchase other products and services. Hellloooo, economics.

There’s nothing wrong with companies wanting to support their local charitable organizations, but it should never become such a focus that it causes them to kill the goose that’s laying the golden eggs. Oh, and if they are dumping money into those sorts of things on a regular basis, you can bet that you aren’t getting paid enough.

It’s not that I hate charities. It’s that I hate when business leaders feel guilted into giving when they could be investing that money to hire more people, sell a better product, etc. Each of those options can have a net positive impact on a local economy.

*Not responsible for repercussions of unsolicited executive hugging sessions.

Ben Eubanks is an HR pro, speaker, and writer. He works as a one-man HR team at Pinnacle Solutions during the day, and at night he writes at upstartHR-an HR blog with a little humor, humility, and how-to. Check it out to learn more about the benefits of team building and other “in the trenches” HR topics.

HR, Meet Your Replacement

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It’s name is Baxter – it costs $22,000 –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Baxter, though, sits on a gurney and can be set down safely just about anywhere on a factory floor. Its eyes are on a swiveling computer screen and greet any worker who approaches. To teach Baxter a job, a human simply grabs its arms, simulates the desired task, and presses a button to set the pattern.

Another idea behind Baxter is that it will be upgradable. The company plans to update Baxter’s software for free every few months, enabling more complex behaviors such as two-handed manipulation. Early next year, Rethink will also release a set of programming instructions so developers can come up with their own tasks and attachments for the machine.”

Think your new iPhone 5 is cool – just wait until this dude takes over your job.

“But wait, Tim – a Robot could not do my job in HR!”  It can if all you do is transactional stuff…and it will probably have a better attitude.  Plus, at $4/hr true cost over a 3 year period – what do I have to lose!

What are you doing right now – today – in your organization to add value?  Better start doing something – Baxter is coming.

Greatness Defined – finally!

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For those who are fans of the NBC TV show Parks and Recreation you’ve probably already seen this – for those who haven’t – it’s brilliant!

Here is Ron Swanson’s Pyramid of Greatness:

 

 

So, you want some Great Leadership advice from Ron Swanson, here you go:

  • America: The Only Country that Matters.
  • Fish meat is practically a vegetable.
  • Capitalism: God’s way of determining who is Smart and who is Poor.
  • Skim Milk: Yep, it’s on there twice – Avoid It!

Sometimes, you just don’t know when Brilliance is going to find you!

Laurie Ruettimann – This one is for you!

 

Marriage Advice from a 80 year old Liquor Store Clerk

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There are certain times in your life when you just know you are in the middle of a conversation that you were destined to have for some strange reason.  This happened to me last Sunday.  I live in a small town outside of Lansing, MI – a sleepy little bedroom community – DeWitt, MI (hometown of 2012 USA Olympian Jordyn Wieber! – “Wieber Fever is greater than Bieber Fever!).  I have a pond in my backward – I like to fish – I have an 8 year old who likes to fish – we needed some worms.  (Aren’t you excited to stopped by to read this today!) The liquor store in town has live bait – so we went up to get some worms for some relaxing Sunday fishing – sounds like a great day.

As I waited in line with my tub of 36 red worms – I noticed the lady behind the counter was fairly old – like Grandma age – at least 80, maybe a couple years north of that.  When it was my turn to check out – I was the only person left in the store and she looked down at my tub of worms, saw my wedding ring and said to me – “I sure liked being married”.  You see this woman had been married to the same man for 62 years!  Can you imagine – 62 years – I don’t think I even want to be alive to be 62!  I told her that in a few weeks, I will be married for 20 years – in which she immediately replied – “To the same woman?”  Serious as a heart attack, it made me laugh out loud, mainly because of how honest she was in her question – you see she was the clerk and the owner of this liquor store – she’s seen a lot in life! When you work at a store that sells liquor, “cigarette wrapping papers”, half gallons of milk, condoms and worms – you learn a few things about folks.

This wonderful lady then decided she needed to share some marriage advice with me – I think she thought I must have needed it – maybe it was because it was Sunday and I was going fishing instead of being at home with my wife – maybe I just had that look about me – that I needed a good talking to – either way I was about to get some schooling. Here’s what she told me:

“The secret to being married for 62 years (remember I didn’t ask for this!) is that people just need to learn how to get along. When you’re married to someone you know how to push their buttons, and they know how to push yours.  When one of you is pushing the others buttons you just have to keep your mouth shut and walk away – come back later.  If they are yelling at you, you have to tell them I won’t listen to you if your raise your voice. You talk calmly or I’m not listening to you.”

She then ended my lesson with:

“I sure liked being married.”

I’m not a religious guy – but on this Sunday I think G*d was giving me a lesson on life in this Liquor/worm store.  He was channeling himself through an 80 year old woman – and I’m thankful for the experience.  It was the best $3.22 I’ve ever spent.  I think her advice was spot on – and probably can be used for most of us in every part of our lives – “People just need to learn how to get along.”  Simple – yet so difficult for most of us to get.  62 years of marriage comes with some lessons, doesn’t it?

Live at SHRM12! One Day Only!

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I’m excited – next week Kris Dunn and I will be co-presenting at SHRM National for the first time!  We got the session of death time (last session of the conference) on Wednesday June 27th at 11:30am – but KD and I are Pros – so we will be coming full force whether it’s a full room or their are 3 HR folks left in Atlanta!  Our session is Officially titled: Developing Your Influence to Drive Better HR Performance – the unofficial title is: Raise Your HR Game by Thinking Like a Money-Hungry VP of Sales!

KD and I have done this one before and we have some fun with it.  For all of us in HR who deal with Sales teams on a regular basis you’re sure to get some laughs, but we also really dig into some techniques our Sales partners use, that we in HR can use as well – to give us a better ability to influence decision making in our organizations.

We get most of you will be pretty “conferenced” out by the time the last session rolls around on Wednesday – but we’ll give you the famous FOT promise – We’ll make it fun, we teach you a couple of things and 60% of the time, it works every time!

See you all in Atlanta!

P.S. I would love to meet HR/Talent Pros who read The Project while I’m at Atalanta – send me a Tweet @TimSackett or an email timsackett@comcast.net and let’s get together!

10ish Questions with Cynical Girl – Laurie Ruettimann

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So, I completely stole this idea from Erica Moss’s 10 Questions with Laurie Ruettimann: HR Chick and Blogger at The Cynical Girl, partly because it was a great idea and partly because I know Laurie, a little – we jumped off a building together – Laurie’s Jump(notice Laurie’s Mission Impossible style landing, My Jump – and I know some other HR type Dudes who know Laurie (Steve Boese, William Tincup, Lance Haun, Matt Stollack and Kris Dunn) who have snarky humor like mine and would love to ask Laurie questions – but not the type of questions that Erica asked!

Erica’s post on Laurie was great – they both played it straight – it was nice and safe.  I thought we could have a little fun with Laurie, if she was game – and she’s almost always game!  So, here’s my 10 questions for Laurie Ruettimann – to protect the guilty I won’t tell you who asked which question:

1. How often do your interns write your posts?

(LR) Not often enough. They would be better if I had a few interns dedicated to writing about Human Resources and recruiting. Because I’m short-staffed, you get shitty posts about cats and hoodies.

2. Do you ever get tired of being sarcastic and/or cynical?

(LR) Tiger momma gotta wear her stripes, yo. Honestly, I am more of a hyper-introspective Debbie Downer than I am cynical or sarcastic. Much of my negativity is turned inwards. And yes, it’s a burden. Years ago, I told my husband that I wanted him to say ‘I love you’ more often. He laughed. He thought I was being ironic. And maybe I was. I don’t even know, anymore. So, uh, yeah, my tough-girl act gets old.

3. What will your next blog be called? Cynically Punk or The HR Cat Lady?

(LR) My next blog will be called ASK THE BLONDES. I’m working on it right now, actually. I have a writing partner. You just got the scoop. (That how we role at The Project – Sometimes you have to slap the interns around to get the best news – but it’s always worth it!)

4. If you were the head of HR at Jos. A. Banks (Laurie’s favorite Men’s store – Holla Sponsors!), how would you find people that can innovate the “Buy one suit – get three suits, five shirts and eight ties for free” discount space?

(LR) Easy. I’d look to China. Cheap labor makes anything possible. Just ask General Electric or Apple.

5. What role in HR could disappear tomorrow and no one would notice?

(LR) Payroll. In fact, its all but disappeared. We get paid through the power of computers and magic. (Do you hear that sound? That’s the silence from all those Payroll speaking engagements Laurie just gave up!)

6. F – Marry – Kill:  Jennifer McClure, Sarah White and President Obama?

(LR)  Marry Jennifer McClure because it’s easy to be with her. She brings me treats. F*%k President Obama because he’s a black guy. Kill Sarah White but only because she likes recruiting and HR technology a little too much for my tastes.

7. How do you reconcile the fact that you are neither punk nor cynical – but just a cat-loving former HR practitioner?

(LR) I used to be young and fun. Now I’m a hardcore punk rock feminist anarchist who drives a Volvo and does Pilates just to have a hobby. Sometimes I binge eat Ben & Jerry’s and think about my 20s. Thanks for reminding me of my sad and pathetic adulthood, Timmy. (Editor’s Note: that question wasn’t from me – you’re welcome!)

8. If you die, can I be your ghostwriter for The Cynical Girl?

(LR) You can be my ghostwriter now. I’m short on interns.

9.  From you professional HR perspective, what was the deal with Skipper and Gilligan?

(LR) I never watched that show but I’m pretty sure he was doing her in the copier room. Wait, do corporate offices still have copier rooms? (Editor’s Note: Clearly you never watched the show – they were both male stuck on a island after a 3 hour tour)

Thank you Laurie, tell the interns they did a wonderful job answering the questions and for the photo they sent!

Thanks again to Erica – for such a wonderful idea!

Check out Laurie and her writing at The Cynical Girl – she’s a fantastic writer and I love her take on all things HR and Corporate!

#22 Rap Lyric That Shaped My Leadership Style

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For the background of this list – see my post from 2-10-12.

The #23 Rap Lyric that shaped my leadership style comes from Jay-Z’s Blueprint 2:

“When the grass is cut, the snacks will show.”

Over the past 3 or 4 years this has been really true in organizations.   As you become lean, as you begin to make cuts that really hurt, you will see those in your organization that are there because they want to be, and those who are there because they have no other choice.   I like to surround myself with people who want to be on this boat with me, who will keep bailing water even when it looks like it’s no use.  Don’t get me wrong – I don’t want them to do it in a naive way – like they can’t see what’s really going on.  I just want people who believe in the same vision that I have.  It’s the only way your organization will truly move forward – belief.

The one thing that hard times bring us, is that organizations get a unique and rare chance to really see who those people are in their companies.  It can be a very cleansing experience – addition through subtraction – that you didn’t even know you needed.   Too many times we are so close to what is going on we have a hard time seeing the forest through all these trees.  My wife watches the Bachelor and all too often, we can see the snack, yet, the Bachelor can’t (my says this is because he’s a man, and stupid – I tend to think it’s difficult to see the truth when so many people are trying to “win” you over – but she’s probably right though!).

Loyalty is a tricky thing to measure in an organization – until you don’t have it.

#23 Rap Lyric That Shaped My Leadership Style

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For the background of this list – see my post from 2-10-12.

The #23 Rap Lyric that shaped my leadership style comes from KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions song “Love’s Gonna Get’cha”:

“ya know a lot of people believe that that word Love is real soft, but
when you use it in your vocabulary like your addicted to it it sneaks right
up and takes you right out.

So, for future reference remember it’s alright to like or want a
material item, but when you fall in love with it and you start scheming and
carrying on for it, just remember, it’s gonna get’cha”


To often in my career I see really, really talented people who cross a line trying to go after titles.  They go beyond the normal self-building, and get into a game of sabotaging and tearing down of others as they aspire up the corporate ladder.  It took me a long time to learn that the title played a far less role in your ability to influence, than your actual ability to influence.

In HR we have a saying that is used frequently called “Up and Out”.  This refers to individuals who rise so quickly, or for the wrong reasons, in our organizations that they surpass their ability to do the actual title they’ve reached.  Move up to quickly, and you get moved out.   I don’t think I’ve ever found a good way to slow these people down, who aspire to be a VP before 30, etc.  There is no good way to tell them, slow down, you’ll be better for it.  For every example of a failure I have for them, they have an example of someone who did it and made it.   I try to tell them I was them once – I had the goal of VP by 35 and made some bad career moves to try and scale that wall, but it makes no difference – they’re (I) was different.  I eventually got my title at 39 – and by then, I had stopped looking for it…

So, remember, only love something that is suppose to be loved – your family, your friends, your peace in the world.  Loving material things like money, title, etc., never ends well.

Do You Know What Really Matters?

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I had a friend die this week.  43 years old, married 3 kids under 12.  He was diagnosed with ALS a little over two years ago. We played basketball together in the mornings with a bunch of old guys – you see young guys won’t get up at 5:30 am to hoop – so it’s just a bunch of out of shape old guys leaning on each other trying to keep alive the dream.  He was telling me something was wrong with his leg – “it’s not doing what I want it to do” – we both cracked jokes about getting old.  Within a couple of months he could no longer talk or use his arms.   ALS sucks!

He was a writer at heart – which I never knew – the disease gave him his chance to write – just sitting there in your mind all day, unable to move, gives you the motivation – technology allowed him to get his trapped thoughts out onto his blog.  The worse his ALS got, the more he wrote.  His last post was in his own words on the day he died – because he knew he was going to die – with ALS it’s just a matter of time, and usually very little time (what would you write to everyone for your last thoughts?).  When I got the message – I was instantly heartbroken.  When I read his post, I cried.  I cry every time a reread it.  No one should have to go through this.  (Here is his final post)- I love the fact he didn’t sugar coat anything – until his final day he was real, genuine. This sucked for him and he wasn’t going to fake it for the sake of making someone feel better.  He didn’t want to die. He wanted more time with his wife and kids.  He wanted to live.

Perspective.

My friend spent his final two years or so pleading with anyone who would listen to have perspective.  His list of worries before ALS:

1. Bills

2. Money

His list of worries with ALS:

1. My wife

2. My kids

It shouldn’t take a devastating disease to give us perspective.  We go around each day making small issues, big issues and worrying about stuff that we can’t even remember a few days later.  Then life comes around and slaps you across the face and kicks you in the ass.   I hope I learn from this.  I hope I remember this pain I feel now.  I hope they find a cure for ALS so no one else has to go through this.

As Curt would say – Fuck ALS!

I Hate Sumser’s Top 25 Lists

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Let me get something very clear – I really do hate the Top 25 Lists on HR Examiner.  I hate them because I’m not #1 on any of the lists  – ok, let’s be honest – I’m actually not even #25 on any of the lists.  Let’s be more honest, I don’t think I’m in the top 100 – I scored 2!  The top person Dean DaCosta scored 153!  In HR Performance Management speak that is like saying Dean is your “A” player and Tim is the owner’s crackhead son you are force to keep on payroll.   Don’t get me wrong – I don’t know Dean – I’m sure he’s wonderful and knows a ton about recruiting and talent.   Number 2 on the list is Matt Charney – someone I do know and respect.  Matt knows a ton about our industry – he scored 24 out of 25 on recruiting (for the record I scored “0” – as in zero and as in everybody knows more about recruiting than I – even those on the list who actually have never recruited and aren’t in the recruiting industry) – I think even Matt would admit based on his 24 – I should at least have gotten a point or two…or 25.  Matt works for Monster.com, one of the major advertisers on HR Examiner’s website – having him #1 would have sent up red flags – having him #2 makes it totally legitimate.

I consider myself a confident person – especially when it comes to most things HR and Recruiting.  Do I think I’m the best and should be #1?  Well, yes, I do – but for arguments sake, do I know there are better HR and Talent Pros out there than me? – well, yes – I guess, that’s hard to admit, but logically I know it’s true.

It’s true because there are fantastic people around the country that I reach out to on a daily, weekly and monthly basis – and sometimes a few of these people actually show up on one of Sumser’s lists.  Being in the social media/HR/Talent deal for the past 3 years you run into a lot of people.  There are a number of frauds that lurk around this playground.  There are number of frauds who show up on these lists – which is one more reason I hate these lists.  (so now for the record – I hate the lists now because I’m not on them and the frauds)

I hate the lists because so many people read them and comment on them and send out congratulations about them – like it’s a big deal – which it would be if I was #1, but I’m not, so stop trying to make these a big deal!   I hate these lists because people use them to promote themselves for branding purposes on their resumes – “I was voted the #7 most influential Recruiting professional by such and such” – and to many folks are too stupid or lazy to do some real background checking to see how substantial that claim really is.  (So, now for the record I hate the lists because I’m not on them, frauds, too many people pay attention to them, congratulations messages on my social stream and branding)

I hate these lists because there just doesn’t seem to be enough correlation between what they say they are measuring (i.e., Influence in Recruiting) and then a list of actual people who influence recruiting.  Some great pros – no doubt on the list – but for recruiting?  Steve Boese – a friend of mind and fellow FOTer – probably the single best source of HR Technology knowledge in the world – not the US – the world.  Recruiting/Talent/Sourcing/Staffing/Talent Acquisition?  Not the first person I think of in those respects.  I reach out to Steve frequently for stuff – but not usually stuff on recruiting – he’s a genius – should be on a number of lists – but this wouldn’t be the first list I would choose for him.   What about the true recruiting genius’s in our industry: Glenn Cathey, Chris Hoyt, Jim Stroud – how can they not be on this lists? In fact how can they not be in the Top 5 of this list?!  Arguably, these 3 guys know and influence more in recruiting than the Top 25 listed combined.

So, for the record I hate Sumser’s lists because: I’m not one them, frauds, too many people pay attention to them, congratulations, using it to brand yourself, notable missing industry leaders – but mainly because I’m not #1.