WOW! Wow, wow, wow! I just got back from the Alabama 2 day State SHRM Conference and I had such a GREAT time! First, the conference team had a great theme: “Roller Coaster of Love, the UPS and DOWNS of HR”
Second. They had great speakers: http://bit.ly/1EZ4DLO This group was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I heard at least a bit of everyone’s presentation and everyone did fabulous! I was so impressed with this line up of speakers.
Third. 10.25 recert credits! They even had some strategic AND global recert credits!
Day 1 was a shorter day and it had three great general sessions! Broc Edwards closed it out with a killer challenge to a room of 300 or so HR professionals to be BOLD! During day 2 (now up to over 500 attendees) of the conference the halls were buzzing with excitement. So many people were pumped and ready to accept the challenge of being bold. All day long during day 2 professionals were bouncing from great session to great session with enthusiasm and excitement that we all wish we could have every single day on the job. What I loved the most was overhearing all of the positive comments from attendees. It was refreshing! It felt like we were all in this together and that we could all make a difference together.
In just about every session we were challenged to stop being just HR and start being bold and passionate and reasonable! Stop being the department of no, do risk assessment and present your team with options, help the business reach their goals, etc. etc. What’s the best thing I learned? Probably that we are business professionals who happen to work in HR. Let that sink in for a bit! Here’s some of what you missed:
Beware of cross pollination of Fed agency investigations. They are sharing info #alshrm15
— Pam Werstler (@HRPamW) May 19, 2015
Have you ever had a manager come to you as an HR pro & say- "we need more trust around here" #boldHR cc @brocedwards #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 19, 2015
"If you don't manage your career, someone else will do it for you. But you probably won't like the results as much." @brocedwards #alshrm15
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 19, 2015
What information do you have access to that can really help your organization/business? #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Use data to help you make better human capital decisions not to track a metric that has happened in the past #alshrm15 @JenniferMcClure
— Mary Ila Ward (@MaryIlaWard) May 20, 2015
"Don't measure anything unless the data helps you make a better decision or change your actions." #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Being strategic = ppl who are focused on the business and solving business problems. @JenniferMcClure #alshrm15
— Marsha Lacey, PHR (@mjcbama) May 20, 2015
If you influence change, people will invite you to the table #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
What are the problems we can solve if we take off our "can't do it hat" #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Do you use social learning in your organization? If so, how effective is it? @beneubanks #alshrm15
— Marsha Lacey, PHR (@mjcbama) May 20, 2015
Don't get lost in the shiny things that don't lead to long term compatibility #alshrm15 @MaryIlaWard
— Pam Werstler (@HRPamW) May 20, 2015
Can you imagine your organization as an interconnected web instead of an org chart!? Cc: @beneubanks #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Look for ways to connect your new hires before they start/as soon as they get there! Get them building their internal network ASAP #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
@DawnHBurke says it's not about policing policies anymore, it's about engagement! #alshrm15 #HR
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
2/3 of the workforce is overwhelmed- do you know why? #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Human beings are meant to connect. People will be friends at work! #alshrm15
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Winning the Talent Shortage Battle #5: Comp & Benefits. Yes this is still important! #alshrm15 @JenniferMcClure
— Marsha Lacey, PHR (@mjcbama) May 20, 2015
Can you say your organizations success is a direct result of your people!? #alshrm15 #peopleassets
— Alabama SHRM (@ALSHRM) May 20, 2015
Can you relate?Employees think of HR as HS principal,Mgrs thinks of HR as roadblocks,Execs don't think of HR at all. @brocedwards #alshrm15
— Marsha Lacey, PHR (@mjcbama) May 20, 2015
Customer experience will never exceed the employee experience. How companies treat employees directly affects customer experience. #alshrm15
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 20, 2015
Okay, seriously, I know that was a lot of tweets, but its only a sample! Go search the hashtag #alshrm15 for more and to find some GREAT HR PROFESSIONALS to follow! What do you think about these takeaway tweets?
Go ahead and mark your calendar for #ALSHRM16 because I hear its going to be even better!! 
A huge thanks to our conference co-chairs Melissa DeVore & Bobbi Wilson and their committees for pulling off such a great 2 day conference, allowing us HR pros to connect with each other, learn from each other, and recharge! Best State conference I’ve been to in years and I cannot wait to do it again next year!
