Transition News and Events

NJOD Annual Sharing Day was held May 1

The New Jersey Organization Development Network celebrated it’s 10^th Annual Sharing Day (ASD) on May 1 at the Holiday Inn, Newark. More than 270 people attended the day long event featuring two speakers and 30 presenters.

I was one of two workshop presenters to begin the day with a exploration of the topic: Sharing Your Stories of Personal Fulfillment as a Learning Model  -- SEEKING EUPSYCHIA.  Eupsychia is the island famed humanist Abraham Maslow imagined where a thousand people were all self-actualized. During the two hour workshop, participants considered new way’s to express their personal stories from their adventures toward achieving self-fulfillment.  In addition to applying Maslow's concepts, we explored David Thornburg's CAMPFIRES IN CYBERSPACE by examining how our learning at the campfire, in the cave and at the water cooler influences our life choices and embodies our passion for personal development.   Employing personal examples such as working as a radio newscaster, racing with sled dogs and conducting a political campaign, considered ways to challenge ourselves while we learn how others share their experiences to motivate and support the development of others.  For more information on this workshop see www.retaininingemployees.net blog and the article posted there STORYTELLING TO PRESERVE A LEGACY.

The day's program formally began at 9 a.m. with the first featured speaker of the day, Marc Effron of VP Talent Management at Avon Products, NYC.  The presentation by this thought-leader in the field of Talent support was well-received, informative and engaging.   Please see a note from Marc by clicking "comments" below.  Marc's experience and depth of knowledge of effective HR techniques and policies added value to the ASD.

Following Mr. Effron, registered participants choose from thirty presentations offered throughout the day by recognized leaders in our field.  Lunch included a networking opportunity to chat informally with the speakers.

The afternoon speaker was Geoffrey M. Bellman who currently has 250,000 copies of his books in print including THE CONSULTANTS CALLING. Geoff's perspective of the role of external OD and HR practitioners provided practical insight and ideas to help us best serve our clients. Participant response to Geoff's speech was sincere with many requests to invite him to speak at another ASD.

The NJOD ASD is held every year on the first Thursday of May.  See www.njodn.org for more information.

People in the News....

News and Updates from our Colleagues --

Three of my colleagues were in the news during March. Their unique contributions to the field of organization and talent development are worth noting.  It is inspiring to track the success of our peers: please let me know when your next newsworth event occurs to include here.  Best wishs, Lucille

FORTUNE MAGAZINE:

If you haven't already, check out the Fortune Magazine issue from March 17, 2008, page 168 - Bettina Neidhardt of AMA was interviewed for their Executive Education Special "The Greening of Executive Education". 

Betttina discusses the new AMA Leadership Seminars launching June 9th in New York. For information on the seminars see http://www.amanet.org/seminars/seminar.cfm?baseSemNo=2107.

WALL STREET JOURNAL:

If you are a regular subscriber to the WSJ, you may have seen the "Money & Investing" section on March 8.  A talented colleague who is well-respected in the field of organization change, Vince Lambiase (www.lambiase.net) is Managing Director of a Michigan-based restructring firm.  In the brief statement, he addressed how financial Lenders are sorting through the problems of borrowers as they work through this economy:

"We are hearing from lenders who are wondering how much they should push a reluctant client to restructure. They are asking 'Should I push to liquidate it now so I lose X because if I wait six months I might lose 2X."

NEW BOOK RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY SUSANNE SWEENY

Susanne Sweeny spent two decades at IBM bulding morale, transforming underperforming departments and ultimately managing a team of four hundred employees. She designed and taught innovative programs at IBM"s Leadership "Developmetn Center -- all while raising a blended family.

Her new book is titled TRANSFORMING STRESS INTO STRENGTH --Getting Cntrol of Your Life, Your Mind, and Your Time offers practical advice in an engaging manner. 

Two active members of the NJOD have endorsed the book:

"A must read for those wanting to make a difference in the frentic 21st century"--Kenny Moore, Sr., Business Executive and bet selling author.

"A down-to-earth book that will help you survive today's pace...I recommend it to all my corporate clients."  --Dr. Lucille Maddalena, Management Consultant

THINKING LIKE A CEO by Charles Rosenblum

People run businesses. Every talent manager knows the vital necessity of matching the right person with the right job.  Sometimes, a talent manager needs to be reminded that his or her role must be aligned with that of the CEO.  An effective talent manager is the one who sees the task as part of the big picture, clearly keeping the business goals in mind.

Charles Rosenblum's  recently published article 'THINKING LIKE A CEO" acknowledges how important it is for talent managers to "earn the C-suite's respect".  He recommends that talent managers "need to look at the busienss as a whole and think like the CEO".

Rosenblum suggests that to gain this respect, talent managers must:

• Know the business you are in.
• Be aware of what's around the corner.
• Stay attuned.
• Prepare for  changes.
• Align the C-suite and HR expectations.
• Translate these business challenges into HR terms.
• Make it happen.

In his article Rosenblum provides the perspectives of two HR executives.  He quotes Dan Smith, Borders group senior vice president of HR:  "We must understand what's being discussed at the table and its impact on shareholders, the board and on growth and profitability."

A second comment is presented in a quote from Eileen Whalley, The Hartford executive vice president of HR:  "The CHRO and his or her team must understand the business beyond selling insurance--we must know the emerging business trends in the retirement and the accompanying innovative new products....Then we can attract and develop the right talent to serve those needs."

For a copy of the complete article, contact charlesrosenblum@msn.com.

News, Jobs and Events

             It has been estimated that we will have at least four careers during our work-life; some may have many more. 

             To support professionals through these transitions, we will post news and events important to those seeking a career change. Kindly send us news of any events, promotions or functions of interest to our community of readers.

           In addition, a special page will be available for you to post any new job opening that our readers may find of interest.

           Featured job openings will include, but not be limited to positions in the following fields:

• Organization Development
• Communications
• Public Relations
• Human Resources
• Industrial Relations
• Training
• Personal Development
• Coaching

Next time a job opening crosses your desk, please forward it for immediate posting.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.