Yesterday's "Lunch at the Compensation Cafe"? By the time we were opening our bags of chips, we were into a great give and take on "Managers Talking Compensation" for our monthly Focus.com podcast.
I don't want to gossip, so I'm not going to speak for the other Compensation Cafe experts -- Ann Bares, Chuck Csizmar, Dan Walter and Jim Brennan -- who were taking about compensation communications with me on today's "Lunch at the Compensation Cafe" podcast. You can listen on your own, at your computer, by using this link.
It got rowdy sometimes, we don't necessarily see things exactly the same way, if you know what I mean. That's why it's helpful -- you're dealing with the same give-and-take in your own department, I'd imagine. There were lots of solutions flying around as well as opinions, so grab a sandwich and put on those earphones.
Intrigued but not sold? Here are some of the topics.
- Managers and HR are compensation life partners This relationship can thrive with more thought on HR's part and less quacking from those managers who are ducking their responsibilities. We cover how to get everyone to quit filling the air, listen and understand each other.
- There's a lot to learn Managers can tell you how to make this year's communications about a 3% merit budget more effective than last year's communications about a 3% merit budget. They lived it too. Don't give them warmed over 2010.
- You mean patterns aren't just for wallpaper? Compensation communications that deliver are like Brands that you can rely on. You don't believe in Apple because they sent you an email from Steve Jobs. You have a great iPhone. Your friends talk about their computers. You hear messages and see pictures and have personal experience that builds your belief in Apple. What if HR planned a way to join with managers to send a reliable pattern of messages and interactions and recognition throughout the year? Objectives are measurable so we can identify and agree on progress. We set objectives in January, so we can measure them in February and talk about what progress we want to see in March and so on through the full calendar year. Regular everyday behaviors. Supported by reliable interactions with managers. Topics you chat about that match what the CEO has explained is important for the business. We share examples of what this means and why it's important on the podcast.
- Does Freedom of Information apply to salary ranges? You'll be surprised how we vote on this one, and you'll hear over 100 years of experience.
- Breaking investment news We end with a flourish -- you get 5 suggestions for how to invest your limited time and resources to get the best results this year.
Here's the link again in case you don't want to go to the top of the page. Remember, you can listen to the podcast whenever you want by using the link or going to the Events section of Focus.com.
What are we serving for Lunch at the Compensation Cafe next time? We'll remind you to sign up for these upcoming topics at Focus.com (or drop in afterwards to listen to the recording) - each at 11 PT/2 ET.
- September 27 Pay Equity - Not Just for Women!
- October 18 Truth in Performance Management
- November 15 International Compensation
- December 13 Say on Pay
Margaret O'Hanlon is founder and principal of re:Think Consulting. She has decades of experience teaming up with clients to ensure great Human Resource ideas deliver valuable business results. Margaret brings deep expertise in total rewards communications and change management to the dialog at the Café. Before founding re:Think Consulting, she was a Principal in Total Rewards Communications and Change Management with Towers Perrin. Margaret is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Pacific Plains Region. She earned her M.S. and Ed.S. in Instructional Technology at Indiana University. Creative writing is one of her outside passions, along with Masters Swimming.
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