Comments on: SHRM 2009 – Observations & Conclusions

By: SHRM 2010 – Observations & Conclusions

SHRM 2010 – Observations & Conclusions — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:50:26 +0000

[...] it’s hard to believe that another SHRM Annual Conference has come and gone. And like last year’s event, we witnessed some of the same challenges and opportunities. But before I offer my thoughts on this [...]

By: mark.stelzner

mark.stelzner — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:19:57 +0000

@laurie ruettimann – All great questions that I had hoped we’d be able to answer for ourselves via a ‘State of SHRM’ update. For now it remains a mystery to all of us.

@Steve Boese – Not sure here Steve. I believe the board led the search and succession plan with the sense that the board is a representative voice of the membership. Can’t say with 100% certainty how it worked.

@Michael Long – Thanks for the thoughts Michael. I can’t really imagine that we’d go away completely. Whether they fully embrace us is another issue entirely.

@Alicia Arenas – I agree that this will make a terrific retrospective study Alicia. Another instance of the cobbler’s children going barefoot.

@Jeff Hurt – Terrific comments Jeff. It’s interesting to hear that you see similar crossover to other large associations. Thanks so much!

@Joan Eisenstodt – Thank you so much Joan. As someone in the thick of the association market, is there anything you’d suggest for others in your position?

By: Joan Eisenstodt

Joan Eisenstodt — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:57:22 +0000

Not involved in SHRM — am involved in many association meetings as a provider of content, designer of meetings, and meeting participant. This is must reading for anyone involved in association meetings. Fear too many associations are becoming irrelevant by not seeing things differently. Thanks for being there and writing the observations.

By: Jeff Hurt

Jeff Hurt — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:50:16 +0000

Wow, there are some great points in your post that every association should heed, not just SHRM. I think associations are struggling with how Web 2.0 has affected their world and are unsure of what to do. Large associations, like SHRM, ASAE, MPI and others are facing competition from the growth of free online communities of practice online. I echo a lot of what @AliciaSanera

Interestingly enough, as SHRM was live streaming its conference for free, another large professional association, Meetings Professional International (MPI) which live streamed four sessions from it’s January conference for free has decided to charge for live streaming from it July conference. Those of us upset for the fee based live streaming used SHRM as an example of how they were providing value for members and nonmembers that couldn’t attend face-to-face.

Thanks for sharing what is happening in this large association and I’m seeing the same thing in others as well.

By: Alicia Arenas (@AliciaSanera)

Alicia Arenas (@AliciaSanera) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:31:24 +0000

Part of our role as HR practitioners (within companies or as consultants) is to help business leaders minimize the red tape, bureaucracy and to challenge their patterns of doing what is most comfortable, not what is most meaningful. While I’m sad to see the same may be happening in SHRM, I’m not surprised. This is the trap the majority of large organizations face.

As SHRM figures out how to make themselves more nimble, I hope someone there is taking notes. The challenges they face, what works and what doesn’t work will mimick the struggles most HR professionals face inside their companies. What a great case study that will be.

By: Michael Long (The Red Recruiter)

Michael Long (The Red Recruiter) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:43:13 +0000

Very interesting take on the conference. I was wondering about our presence there from time to time… You seem to have captured the feeling

The small debate on whether or not “new media” should be present is interesting. Imagine a future that removes this element. It’s not like we are going to stop writing or Tweeting… we would just have to do it elsewhere. Hopefully they will see the value.

Good post Mark!

By: Steve Boese

Steve Boese — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:42:25 +0000

I am not familiar with the succession processes at SHRM, (if there are any), just how much or little say does the membership have in the selection of executives?

By: laurie ruettimann

laurie ruettimann — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:07:04 +0000

This is a good summary. I get the sense, knowing nothing about SHRM’s political infrastructure, that China is the heart and soul of the organization. So if that’s the case, what is Lon’s role?

Very sincerely, I want the leader of my trade association to be a passionate advocate for our career. China is a total package of knowledge, operational expertise, and passion. She shows courage. Lon? I’m sure he is a nice guy. Who is he, though? What does he believe? Does he advocate for us? Does he know his membership?