As we move into the holiday season, it appears that no one is indifferent to holiday office luncheons and parties.  Twitter has begun to flood with snarky comments on the subject.  Some of us enjoy planning and participating in these events while others dread them like the plague.  We recently asked a few colleagues what they like and dislike regarding holiday gatherings in the office.  This little survey was then translated into the following two top 10 lists just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday! 

Top Reasons We Love Holiday Office Gatherings

1. I love the way everyone comes together to plan a great meal and time together.
2. Where else can we get a great Thanksgiving meal without doing anything but paying my $3?
3. I love the homemade pumpkin pies and desserts! 
4. It’s so nice to be able to interact with the boss in an informal setting. 
5. The diversity of our staff always ensures a delicious variety of foods. 
6. I love the camaraderie amongst the staff.  
7. Making our own decorations is a lot of fun.
8. It’s nice to hear what everyone is thankful for this year.
9. Everyone looks so festive in their fall colors!
10. It’s unpatriotic to not celebrate Thanksgiving! Even the Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving!  

Top Reasons We Hate Holiday Office Gatherings

1. I volunteered to organize this luncheon because I thought it would be fun. It isn’t – no one is interested in helping. Do they think these luncheons just magically happen? 
2. Three people signed up to bring dressing and no one did.  How can we have turkey without dressing?
3. I get so tired of grocery store pies and cookies.  Doesn’t anyone know how to make a real dessert?
4. I always get stuck sitting next to the boss. He’s a messy eater and I never know what to say to him.
5. All those vegan dishes are more than I can handle.
6. It’s enough that I have to work with people I don’t like. I shouldn’t have to share a meal with them too.
7. Did a kindergarten class make our decorations this year? These are pathetic!  Who knew pilgrims looked like Shrek?
8. If I have to listen to one more person say how thankful they are to be working here, I’m going to get sick.
9. Bedazzled appliqué sweaters make me feel I’m watching the Quacker Factory lady on QVC.  Frightening….
10. I don’t like my job.  I hate turkey and I’m Canadian. Our thanksgiving was last month.

HR vs IT

Steve Boese led a very interesting topic of discussion at HRevolution.  His talk revolved around the processes of integrating technology into business, specifically human resources.  A resident expert on the subject, Steve is a professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he spreads the gospel of all things holy technology.  He also writes a great blog:  Steve Boese’s HR Technology.

After Steve’s session we had a sidebar discussion relating to interactions among technical employees and human resource employees in addition to the paranoia of technology.  The most obvious issues identified dealt with the huge communication barrier between these two groups, especially when focused on a project.

Where do the problems lie?  In a lot of cases I believe the problems begin with the identification of candidates for a project team.  Just because an individual may be extremely proficient in the technical aspects of their job does not mean they will be able to communicate.  Same goes for the human resources side.  Not all human resource professionals are able to communicate effectively.  Without identifying key components of communication abilities in one’s personality you set yourself up for failure.  Once you have your team in place, if you do not recognize any inconsistencies in the understanding of the scope and intent of the project from any team members, fail again.

Where do you begin?  Do you train a “techy” on human resource concepts so they understand your view point and overall intent of a process or project?  Or, do you attempt to teach an HR professional how to program?

In my opinion, I believe the most beneficial scenario would be a little of both.  Identify an employee/team member who is technically adept and has a good foundation in human resources.  They do not need to know how to physically program but by understanding the language and procedures, they have a better chance to encourage effective communication.  They can be your liaison between the two groups.  The idea is to find individuals who are able to transcend the stereotypical behaviors of “techies” and human resource professionals.

What do you think?  What is the best way for human resource departments to acquire the technical skills to make us effective?  Train existing HR professionals on the technologies or bring in more technically skilled workers in to HR?

Did you hear the sonic boom the evening of November 6^th?  I did, but that was only because I was on hour 10 of my 12 hour drive from home in Tallahassee, FL to HRevolution in Louisville, KY.  Fifty or so HR bloggers and social media advocates came together for a two day event to share, discuss, eat, drink and be merry.  My experience was truly amazing.  I plan to have more details of the happenings in a later post, but first a self-indulgent top 20 list of things I learned about fellow HR bloggers.

1.   @sexythinker can eat a mad breakfast is both sexy and a thinker!
2.   Do not give @HR_Minion replicas of Louisville sluggers, your laptop will never be the same.
3.   @BenEubanks has Diet Mt. Dew coursing through his veins and can walk on his hands.
4.   @ADowling sees dead people, specifically “ladies in white” that haunt the Seelbach.
5.   @SteveBoese is seriously concerned about the ROI of wearing pants!
6.   The airlines have been saved by @MarenHogan – she purposely misses flights.
7.   @TheLance pays members of the audience to shout out that he is the “smartest man in the room.”
8.   Did you know that @lruettimann is a bifurcating trophy wife? @kenruet is one lucky guy!
9.   @ewmonster will in fact cut a b*$@!.
10.   Apparently @blogging4jobs is an extrovert – who knew?
11.   @tlcolson may wear steel toed work boots to work but she will look damn good in them!
12.   @joanginsberg IS taller than her avatar.
13.   Don’t worry, according to @stelzner, he really is a man.
14.   You can place blame on @akaBruno, he’ll accept.
15.   The Ultimate Twitter Lurker is @logicwriter.
16.   @TrishMcFarlane is a freak wrangler.
17.   @theredrecruiter gladly takes requests to sing Kumbaya.
18.   Shh, @BKRecruiter is secretly THE Burger King!
19.   @designtwit is an enabler of our need for bacon love. I think someone ate their bacon pin!
20.   I @SteveMGHarrison enjoy driving…A LOT.  Next time can HRevolution be in Europe? I will take a canoe!

Enjoy HRevolutionaries and feel free to add your own in the comments!