Maintaining SPHR Certification When Times Are Tough

Maintaining professional credentials like the SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources) can be difficult -- doing so when you are unemployed takes it to another level.

We understand and would like to help.

For every five paid registrations for workshops which have been pre-approved by HRCI for re-certification credits we will invite an SPHR-certified member of the HR
community who is currently between gigs to attend as our guest. We will continue this offer until the national unemployment rate is once again under at least 7%

Opportunities for free passes will be posted to www.insightfulendeavors.com/free


This week we gave away:

Twitter for Business TWO (2) seats
Building a Leadership Development Program from the Inside Out ONE (1) seat


How to qualify to win FREE passes

Free passes are to support UNEMPLOYED HR Pros with SPHR Certification.
If you are not Unemployed AND hold SPHR Certification sorry but you are not eligible.

• Check the www.insightfulendeavors.com/free list periodically
• When a program is listed that you are interested in and available for then...
• Send an email with "SPHR between gigs" in the subject line
• In the body of the message include:
• your name
• email address
• phone number
• Title of Session you would like to be entered into the drawing for
• Send the message to: info@insightfulendeavors.com

Please note: We have received entries and inquiries from individuals who are working temporary positions -- these free seats are for the truly and fully unemployed.

May all your Endeavors be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR
www.insightfulendeavors.com


For a full list of the programs we offer that have been pre-approved by HRCI for 2009 visit www.insightfulendeavors.com/phrsphr

"Blocked" Call....An Unexpected Turn of Events

The call came up as "Blocked" on caller I.D.

"It's going to be a solicitor" I thought to myself as I begrudgingly answered "Good morning, this is Nora, how can I help?"

It wasn't a solicitor.

It was, in fact, the complete OPPOSITE of a solicitor.

The caller explained he was aware I was offering classes that had been pre-approved by HRCI credit......and that I was giving away a free seat to someone who is currently unemployed for every 5 registrants.

"Yes", I confirmed, "that is correct"

I was unsure where he going to lead the conversation ---- request to be entered into the drawing for the guest pass? Register himself? Something else?

"I'm not available for the sesssion April 29th", he stated.

Hmmm...I wondered....why is he calling about it then?

"I'd like to help out"

In an unexected turn.... he stated he wanted to purchase two seats for the April 29th session. He is purchasing them not for himself but for two to-be-determined SPHRs.....possibly for you.

My caller (who wishes to remain anonymous) is purchasing two seats for the April 29th session "Building a Leadership Development Program From the Inside Out" being held in Denver. (The session has been pre-approved by HRCI for 5.75 Strategic Credits.)

The seats will be given away Monday to two Human Resource/Training/Organizational Development Professionals.

To be entered to win one of these two seats...

Send an email with your contact information no later than noon on Monday.

I'm very excited and will now answer "Blocked" calls with much more enthusiasm!!!

Looking forward to hearing from you and working with you next week!

May all your Endeavors be Insightful and all your "BLOCKED" calls Positive,

Nora A Burns, SPHR

www.insightfulendeavors.com

www.twitter.com/noraburns

www.twitter.com/phrsphr

Nora A Burns, SPHR is founder of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc a Denver, CO based firm specializing in team and leadership development. She is an member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). When she's not traveling to assist clients in building innovative teams to drive bottom-line results she resides in Denver, CO with Bella, the insanely cute labradoodle and Bella's sidekick Baxter.

There's a lot of buzz around Twitter these days......and I've received a fair number questions while at speaking engagements and via follow-up emails about the basics of using Twitter. As a result, I've pulled together this list of things I wish I would have known sooner rather than later.

Note: these are Twitter 101 insights....there are a lot of ways you could use Twitter to build your brand, communicate with employees, clients and prospective clients....this list provides some initial "welcome to twitter" information.

(1) Twitter.com is FREE (...there is talk that there will be a charge down the road....time will tell..for now FREE)

(2) My base-line definition of twitter: "Micro-Blog that allows people to share their humor, insights and wisdom in 140 characters or less" @noraburns

(3) There are hundreds if not thousands of applications to help you manage twitter. Some of my favorites: TweetDeck.com and TweetLater.com ......and on my iPhone I currently use Tweetsville and TwitterFon.

(4) When identifying another person on Twitter in a message use the @ symbol before their twitter name --- i.e. "Chatting with @NoraBurns about building a Leadership Development Program" or "Meeting with @NoraBurns at the XYZ Convention"

....this allows other Twitter-ers to simply click on the "@noraburns" portion of the message to see my profile --- it also would also allow me to easily see that you are tweeting about me---- as well as demonstrating that you take Twitter into real life with REAL relationships (please use caution if you choose to identify specifically where you are)

(5) A Re-Tweet is identified by "RT" at the beginning of a message --- this is when you are so inspired by what someone else said or it's information that you feel ought to be shared that you want YOUR followers to know about it as well.

(6) If you want others to RT your messages -- keep them UNDER 100 characters as the "RT @noraburns" counts toward the 140 characters --- and Retweeters often want to add a bit of commentary to the end of your message as well.

(7) To send a message directly to one user that no one else will see.....use "D @noraburns". This is essentially a private chat. NOTE: You cannot send a Direct Message to anyone who is NOT following you......and that also means if you aren't following people they cannot Direct Message you!

(8) Anyone can follow you. It's not like Facebook or LinkedIn where others have to request to be connected to you.

(9) You CAN Block people. If someone truly is obnoxious and you don't want him/her on your "Followers" list you could block them. I use this pretty much only for people who have nude or semi-nude photos up or truly inappropriate messaging.

(10) You'll learn a lot as you start using it -- I like Ford Saeks' (@Prime_Concepts) suggestion which he applies to any social media site -- set up a dummy account to practice and get the hang of it --- then set up your brand-specific account.

(11) Sign up today and secure YOUR brand identity! Unfortunately @Insightful was already taken when I joined the land of twitter and @InsightfulEndeavors is too long (twitter names are 15 characters or less).

There you go -- some basic Twitter info from an avid user (some might say addict). I've been "Twittering since 2008" and have found it to be a fabulous tool for building relationships as well as brand recognition.

Now go -- set up your account ......and don't forget to follow @noraburns! (and for HR Pros who are or looking to obtain/retain PHR/SPHR certification....@phrsphr)


May all your Endeavors (and Tweets) be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR



Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. With over twenty years Human Resource and Organizational Development experience, Nora has provided insights to entrepreneurial firms, mid-size organizations and Fortune 50 companies on team and leadership development.

Insightful Endeavors International, Inc specializes in Team and Leadership Development. We are based in Denver, CO and work internationally.

Insightful Job Seeker Quick Tip: Email Addresses

Today’s Job Seeker Tip: E-mail addresses

Over the course of my career I have been absolutely SHOCKED by the email addresses people use during their job search.

It is NOT appropriate to have an email address such as.......

sxykitten
sexychic
video_game_aholic
hotguy74

.....listed on your resume/application.

Not the way to make a great first impression.

Yahoo, hotmail and gmail accounts FREE and take less than fifteen minutes to set up. Set one up using your name or name and profession..........

LisaSmith@
EngineerBob@
Mary.Smith@

You want the person screening resumes/applications to say “Hey! Look at this one” because of the content -- not because they are laughing and wondering WHAT you were thinking!

May all your Endeavors be Insightful,

Nora A Burns, SPHR



Nora A Burns, SPHR is Founder and President of Insightful Endeavors International, Inc. Over her twenty year career in human resources and organizational development she has interviewed and hired thousands of individuals across a variety of industries.

From the Home Office in Denver, CO....the TOP TEN LIST!

Top 10 Reasons to Attend the CHRA Annual Conference “RECRUIT, RETAIN, REWARD: The Three Rs of Strategic HR Leadership” in Denver on January 23, 2009:

10. You deserve a day away from office politics—and you’ll earn PHR/SPHR credit to boot!
Dealing with employee issues day in, day out…you need some professional development “Me Time”! If you’re working on your certification or recertification efforts, you’ll also have the opportunity for 5.5 hours of valuable content towards your requirements. (Plus, you’ve always wanted to see INVESCO Field in the light of day without all those football players running around.)

9. It’s your chance to pick up the latest exhibitor “loot”!
This year’s conference includes an Exhibit Hall with exceptional service providers --- from legal services and educational institutions to top-notch HR consultants and ancillary benefits experts. The Tattered Cover will also be on hand so you can pick up the latest must-read books and resources. Come network with the people whose job it is to make your job easier!

8. An ENFP told you it would be FABULOUS to learn about the use of psychometric tools in the hiring process.
Ever feel like recruiting is like a revolving door and having trouble finding candidates who “stick”??? Nora Burns, SPHR (yup, that's me) will review the use of personality profiles as a consideration in the hiring process. Learn if and when to use personality profiles in your talent acquisition process for improved results.

7. Disney Institute will be there! Disney!!
In the morning keynote session Scott Milligan, SPHR will share proven, valuable insights on “Recruiting & Retaining Employees, Disney Style” that you can put to work in your own organization. This is your chance to learn proven Disney business philosophies developed by Walt Disney himself that have benefited over half of the Fortune 100 companies. Get ready to be inspired, motivated and entertained!


6. Everyone likes to hear two words: free food.
Your registration for the day includes breakfast, lunch and the famous CHRA afternoon dessert bar. This year’s dessert lineup includes Epicurean’s delicious “silver spoon bites” with strawberry shortcake, bananas foster, raspberry fudge brownies, white chocolate truffle cake, and more. Don’t miss your afternoon sugar rush!

5. You've always wanted to know how to say ANYTHING to ANYONE.
Ever have a hard time coming up with the right words to say to an employee and drive the messages you intended? Shari Harley, MA will share the secrets for having those candid conversations that will lead to increased engagement, employee satisfaction and retention of your talent.

4. Tight budgets have you scrambling for creative, inexpensive employee recognition solutions.
Slashed budget holding you back from saying “thank you” and recognizing employee efforts? Tara Powers, MS will give you a variety of effective recognition techniques that can be implemented immediately without breaking the bank.

3. You’re pretty sure you’re supposed to know what EEO, AAP, ADA, FLSA, EFCA all mean—and what the latest legal developments are on each of them.
Laura Hazen, Esq, and Denise Kay, Esq, SPHR will walk you through the “Alphabet Soup” on the path to developing sound, strategic HR policies in a legal minefield. In a separate session we’ll also address the hot trend towards corporate social responsibility and the legal, ethical, and political issues affecting HR strategy.

2. You’ll get a FREE copy of Dr. Bob Nelson’s “1001 Rewards & Recognition Field Book”.
Best-selling author and internationally-recognized “Guru of Thank You” Dr. Bob Nelson will be giving the afternoon keynote address on “Creating a Culture of Recognition & Rewards” so you’ll hear the latest trends on this critical topic. In addition, you’ll walk away with your very own copy of the Field Book for future reference.

and the NUMBER ONE reason to attend the 2009 CHRA Conference…..

1. NETWORKING…..it’s not just for jobseekers anymore.
Well, it never has been…but that doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as nicely. There will be several hundred HR folks in attendance at the event from around Colorado as well as area experts in recruitment, retention and rewards. Networking with other HR practitioners at this one-a-year event will be well worth the time aside from the great sessions, speakers, and attendees.


Every aspect of the 2009 conference has been designed to give you practical information you can put to work to help your organization succeed in these challenging economic times. Don’t get left behind—register today!!


Visit www.CHRA.org for more details and to register.



See you at the Conference in January!!!


Wishing you the very best with ALL your endeavors,

Nora A Burns, SPHR
www.insightfulendeavors.com