This is not going to be some whiny Debbie Downer post. It is not how I am wired really. If you missed it, this Thursday and now part of Friday I have been tweeting and participating in my TN State SHRM Conference and Expo in Chattanooga as part of an educational outreach initiative using social media. TN SHRM has never had tweeters before. #TNSHRM
The Chattanooga SHRM team has put on a nice show with a good line-up of speakers that seem to touch on all aspects of HR. Highlights for me have been getting to see Joe Gerstandt speak on diversity (saw him at HRevolution too). Bob Nelson is a recognition & employee motivation favorite with a presentation surrounding his new book “Ubunty” and a surprise fun speaker for me Thursday was Jake Greene, author of “Woah My Boss is Naked” talking about generational differences in the workplace. The conference ends with a splash Friday as Marcus Buckingham takes us to task on our strengths.
Over the course of the last few months I have been putting feelers out to see who is using social media at local TN chapters (crickets mostly) and who would be attending the conference. Shout out thanks to Heather McMillan, Teri Levy , Chris Fields, Joe Gerstandt, Toni Grant , Sage Abra.com and my supportive incoming MT|SHRM president Dennis Stull for keeping the stream alive at TN SHRM. I feel it was a good first attempt. Our reach stats were something to think about. No Ohio SHRM. But a great try.
When I set out to offer a tweet up, the low key, low expectation approach and not promoting free drinks was probably not ready for prime time. Seems the Karaoke open bar at the Marriott was the place to be. Oh HR loves its Karaoke! Yes, I was a tweet-up of one. I drank alone and tweeted pathetically to my twitter friends from the bar. Thank goodness the HR Happy Hour Show was on. The back channel propped me up a bit. But, in the end it was a total flop. I’m no social magnet. And crowd sourcing of twitter users at this early awareness stage in TN did not work. Move on to reality that there is a lot of education and advocacy to do in TN to engage the value of social media. Or I need Monster as a sponsor.
I believe that HR must take the leadership role guiding social media as a business tool for engagement and communication. Early adoption is an uphill climb. I’m glad I tried. No regrets. Maybe this will be a story of lore one day? That evening I sat determined to follow through with my plan and do what I said I would do. Martini in hand, my name tag marking me as a tweet-up of one.
Look for my next TN SHRM post on social media and sewer pipes.
6 Responses
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costofwork · #TNSHRM Says:
[...] a great blog post from Lyn Hoyt of HR Bacon Hut on the Tennessee Conference. She was in Chattanooga and tweeted live. Also Heather McMillan sent [...]
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Joan Ginsberg Says:
“A setback is a setup for a comeback” – Simon T. Bailey
Can’t wait for your comback. It. will. happen.
Thinking, thinking, thinking of you. <3
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Buzz Rooney Says:
I enjoyed tweeting with you last night. And I admire you for sticking it out! I would’ve jumped ship and joined the karaoke crowd (I loves me some karaoke!!)
I agree with you about HR leading the way for social media in our reluctant orgs. I’m working on a plan to get us to dip a toe into the social media ocean at work now … maybe by this time next year, I’ll have them wading in the waters!
Stay tuned and stay encouraged!
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Lyn Hoyt Says:
Thanks everyone! Hey Buzz if I can get organization to think as far ahead on social media as you do then OUR awareness campaign is working! Thanks again.
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Jennifer McClure Says:
Somebody has to get it started. Might as well be you! I’m glad you at least gave it a shot – and learned a few things along the way. There will be more next year and the year after that, but you’ll always be the one who got them started. Kudos to you – and don’t get discouraged!
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Dave Ryan Says:
If you got a date for next year let me know what it is and I will do my damnest to get there and tweet my ass of for you and MTSHRM. – You buddy XOX Dave”TheHRCzar”.
