Save the Date: 2010 Granite State HR Conference

In today’s changing times, organizations are looking to HR to be consultative business partners, focused on building teams and driving top-down change. Invite members of your staff and join hundreds of HR professionals and dynamic speakers for a full day of educational opportunities, benchmarking, and networking to help you bring gamechanging strategies to your organization.

The Evolution of HR

Driving Change Into the Future
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

12th Annual GSHR Conference
The Expo at the Radisson Manchester
Conference 7:00 am - 4:15 pm
Reception 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

REGISTRATION TO OPEN SOON FOR ATTENDEES

REGISTER NOW OPEN FOR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS:
RESERVE YOUR BOOTH TODAY  -  SPACE IS LIMITED.
Call now for excellent sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.
For detailed information:
click here to see the Exhibitor Page on the GSHRC Webstite or,
click here to download the Exhibitor/Sponsor Details .pdf or
contact Exhibitor Chair, Shari Marston at shari.marston@degreec.com
or (603) 672-8900 ext. 160.

Sneak Preview of GSHRC Session by Marva Goldsmith

But, what if the brand is YOU?

Tomatoes + spices + high fructose corn syrup = ketchup. Right? Pretty much. For the most part we can agree that all brands of ketchup are made of essentially the same ingredients. So, how does one brand distinguish itself from all the other ketchup bottles on the shelf?

Can you accept that in the workplace (or the marketplace) you are no different than ketchup? No matter what you do—trainer, HR specialist, engineer, teacher—there are many other people who essentially do the same thing and have similar credentials (or ingredients) as you. So, what attributes make you different and special in your marketplace?

Heinz captures 50% of the ketchup market by branding itself around a single attribute, being slow. What can we learn about branding ourselves, or our small businesses, from the Heinz ketchup example? Through several successful ad campaigns, Heinz is known for slow, thick, rich ketchup. Do you remember any of the following?

Tagline: “Worth the Wait”

Ad copy: “Slowest ketchup in the West” (See it on youtube.com)

Ad theme song: “Anticipation” by Carly Simon

The packaging is now designed to accommodate this well-established attribute. Heinz changed the orientation of the bottle such that it is stored upside down. Still rich and thick, but now—no waiting.

Keep in mind that Heinz is not going after everyone who likes ketchup. Their target market is consumers who prefer thicker, heartier ketchup. If you like soupy or runny ketchup, you’re not reaching for the Heinz.

It is important to understand that “distinguishing yourself” does not mean you are the only person in your organization, or marketplace, with these attributes or characteristics. Heinz is not the only thick, hearty ketchup on the shelf. They were just first to be distinguished in that manner and now they own the brand distinction of being “the slow ketchup,” or the “thicker ketchup.”

So, in branding yourself, you are simply pointing out how you want to be characterized…what makes you different and special. Join Certified Image Professional Marva Goldsmith for an engaging look at personal branding. Learn how the three P’s of personal branding can affect your professional development.

Marva Goldsmith is a certified image professional and brand coach. She is the author of two workbooks on personal branding; Branding You, Inc. and Branding Yourself After Age 50.

An Abstract from 20/20 Employment Branding

Abstract from 20/20 Employment Branding, by Jason C. Blais, JobsInNH.com:

Employment Brand Defined

In this session, we'll talk about creating and leveraging a "brand" to increase your recruiting success. We'll identify the strategies that are used in marketing and advertising to attract customers, and apply them to the goals of attracting the best possible candidates. So, instead of building a consumer brand focused on selling your products to customers, your goal is to develop an effective employment brand focused on promoting your business to attract the best possible candidates for your culture.

Effective Brands

WHAT Does a Body Good?
You're in Good Hands with WHICH COMPANY?
Like a Good Neighbor WHICH COMPANY is There?
WHAT are Forever?

Each of the examples above speaks to a simple and effective consumer brand. They have a distinct message that can be conveyed in very short statements, and through marketing, they have impacted the way we feel about their products. Milk is good for you. Allstate has great coverage. State Farm is your local insurance provider who is there when you need them. Want a gift that will last a lifetime... you guessed it- De Beers diamonds ARE forever.

When an employer can establish, communicate, and reinforce an effective employment brand, they will realize an increased stream of applicants better suited to their work environment, which in turn leads to an increase in employee retention. Many key factors that influence an employee's decision to stay with an employer.

A brand can generally be defined as the sum of all characteristics and distinguishable features associated with a good or service – its unique personality. Brands are comprised of logos, images, slogans, and features of the good or service, along with all the supporting communication and promotion of these items. Simply put, a consumer brand should be built around the customer experience; therefore, an employment brand needs to be built around your employee's experience.

Identifying Your Unique Employment Brand

Establishing an effective brand in the consumer market requires a company to understand what drives consumer behavior. Likewise, in order to establish an effective employment brand, a company must understand what drives employee behavior.

One essential and oft-ignored necessity of branding is identifying the current reality of your situation, not what you wish your situation was. If the branding is not absolutely true and consistent with your business today, it will not be effective and will not last. In fact, a false brand will have negative effects, and cause resentment among your current employees. For example, you can't promote excellent opportunities for advancement if you don't make a regular practice of promoting from within...

Jason will be presenting a full workshop on developing an employment brand- from creating the brand identity to measuring brand penetration. You can register for this workshop at the official website, here.

UPDATE: 6.25 Recertification Credit Hours Approved by HRCI!

More Credits Approved for 2009 Human Capital Summit! Attendees can now earn 6.25 Recertification Credit hours in this ONE DAY event!

This just in from Anne Vallette, from the board of the GSHRC: The keynote presentation by Bert Jacobs of Life Is Good has been added to the list of sessions approved for credit by the Human Resources Certification Institute!

Title: Optimism Can Take You Anywhere: Recertification Credit Hours Awarded: 1.25

"If an attendees chooses correctly, the day is worth 6.25 credit hours – 2.5 of which have been approved for STRATEGIC hours. I am still working on the early bird getting approved for strategic but it is an uphill battle." - Anne

See the additional list below, or visit the Granite State HR Conference's Official Site.

HRCI-Credits for 2009 Human Capital Summit

Great news this week from the Board of the Granite State HR Conference- HRCI Credits approved for sessions! Check out the list below of the credits that have been approved to date, and forward this on to other HR friends and neighbors! For more information about each course, simply click on the link.

Managing Your Talent Out of the Gate – Trends and Best Practices ~ 1.25 General HRCI Credits

What is a Green HR Office? ~ 1.25 STRATEGIC HRCI Credits

Retaining and Engaging The Older Worker ~ 1.25 General HRCI Credits

How to Survive a DOL Audit ~ 1.25 General HRCI Credits

Workplace Whitewater ~ 1.25 General Credits

20/20 Employment Branding: Bringing Clarity to Employment Branding to Attract Better Talent, Reduce Turnover and Increase Productivity ~ 1.25 General HRCI credits

How to Use Technology But Not Feel Used by Technology ~ 1.25 General HRCI Credits

The ABC’s of Total Compensation ~ 1.25 General HRCI Credits

Strategic Development of Sustainable HR Policies ~ 1.25 STRATEGIC HRCI credits.

Win a Free Registration for the 2009 Human Capital Summit!

Hi all! This is the first of several posts from presenters at the 2009 Human Capital Summit. Over the next few weeks, we'll add articles, surveys, and maybe a few slideshows from presenters to shed light on the topics they'll be covering at the conference!

Below, you'll see a request to share your thoughts on technology!

Hi everyone,

Jim Reidy, Connie Roy-Czyzowski, and Jonathan Sheff need your help! Please take this survey, share your opinions to help inform us about your email issues, and be eligible to win a free registration to the May 12, 2009 conference! Please share the link to this post with any colleagues- the more responses we get the better!

Thanks for your help and we look forward to hearing from you, and seeing you at the conference! We'll announce the winner in mid-March. And don't let us keep you from registering for the conference right now! We'll reimburse your fee, directly to you, if win but are already registered! Now...take a moment and check out the survey!

Sincerely,

Connie Roy-Czyzowski, SPHR, CCP
Vice President, Human Resources

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others.
It is the only thing." - Albert Schweitzer

CLICK TAKE THE SURVEY
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228U4G8VN67




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YOUR 15 Minutes of Volunteer Fame!

Feel like you wan to do more to help out in your community, but having trouble finding the time? Well, your community of HR and Human Capital professionals has a fantastic opportunity to help you fulfill your desire to help while only taking 15 minutes of your busy schedule!

That's right, the Board of the Granite State Human Resources Conference is seeking volunteers to help build awareness and generate excitement about the 2009 Human Capital Summit! If you've attended any of the previous conferences that we've put on, and just love this annual professional development experience, YOU are qualified to help.

This year, we're putting on a full scale blitz to educate the New Hampshire business community about the value of professional development in Human Resources. Now more than ever, our state needs businesses to understand and develop strategic human capital initiatives to control costs, manage staffing fluctuations, increase employee engagement, and generate sustainable business practices. If you believe in the ability for human resource professionals to make a real difference in the operations, culture, and bottom line of a business, we want to borrow your passion for as little as 15 minutes.

We have a number of activities that range in time commitments from 10 minutes to as much time as you're willing to put in. But as the old saying goes, many hands make light work, and the vast majority of our needs can be fulfilled within just a few minutes. If you are interested, and would like to find out more, please contact the board at gshrc.board@gshrconference.org, and include how much time you'd like to volunteer, and how best to get in touch with you.

Registration Open for the 2009 Human Capital Summit!

Registration is now OPEN!

The Granite State HR Conference presents the 2009 Human Capital Summit! On May 12, join professionals working in human resources from across the state for this annual conference focused on professional development. Check out the official conference website at www.gshrconference.org.

Just like every year, this is a great opportunity to learn best practices from industry leaders, share your knowledge with peers from all over New Hampshire, and increase your value to your company! This year, we're proud to present another amazing keynote address. Bert Jacobs, CEO of Life Is Good will discuss the power of optimism in bringing clarity to your corporate identity and how it will ultimately lead to commerical success.

Unlike every year, 2009 is starting off in an economic recession, causing many businesses to find ways to do more with less. In this environment, it's critical for professionals working in HR to find innovative strategies to help their business survive and thrive. Don't miss this great opportunity to bring relevant, cutting edge programs back to your company!

Check out the Speakers for the 2009 Human Capital Summit HERE.
To register to Attend the Event, click HERE.
To find Sponsorship and Exhibitor information, click HERE.

2009 Granite State HR Conference Speaker Schedule!

The Board of the Granite State Human Resources Conference is very excited to announce that the speaker schedule has been finalized for the 2009 Human Capital Summit!


Headlining the event will be a keynote address by Bert Jacobs of life is good. This year, HR professionals from across the state will have a variety of amazing topics to choose from, with professional development and relevant business strategies throughout.

Check out the great schedule on the Granite State HR Conference website today!