With the SHRM Annual Conference less than 2 weeks away, I thought the timing was perfect to revisit this post from 2011 about the requests of vendors to meet. There are only slight modifications to reflect that its 2016.Note...Since I wrote this 5 years, not one vendor has taken me up on it.
In 12 days, I will be flying out to Washington, DC for the 2016 SHRM Annual Conference.
One of the rites of passage associated with registering and attending
the conference is the bevy of mail you receive from vendors hoping to
lure you to their booth to discuss the latest in HR technology, drug
testing, relocation, etc. Occasionally, they entice you with the
promise of a certain geegaw that you can't find at any other booth. It
would not be uncommon to receive 13+ pieces of mail a day in the 3 weeks
prior to the start of the conference.
However, the pitch has changed.......
...........................................................
In 2010, at the SHRM Annual Conference I had the opportunity to be part of the 1st "SHRM Blog Squad," where I had the opportunity to highlight many of the conference events. You can read more details about it here. Thanks to Curtis Midkiff (@shrmsocmedguy) and Jennifer Hughes (@SHRMPress),
I will once again be able to share my feeble thoughts on the conference
yet again. However, because of my registration as a blogger for the
conference, I have yet to receive a single piece of vendor mail.
However, I have been inundated with e-mails from vendors asking me to
set up appointments to meet with their CEO or hear about their latest
product, presumably as a pitch to feature him or her or the product in
my blog. In addition, I have receive numerous calls from these
companies following up on their e-mails.
As a courtesy to these vendors, let me tell you about my credentials:
1. I am an Associate Professor of Business Administration.
2. In that role, I make approximately .1% of any decision affecting the human resources of our organization.,
3. In the words of Lloyd Dobler, in "Say Anything:" "I don't want to
sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't
want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or
processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair
anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't
want to do that"
So, I may be the wrong audience to target.
The one thing missing is a little WIIFM: What's In It For Me. What do I
get out of taking time out of my busy SHRM Conference schedule to hear
your pitch and feature your product/service/CEO in my blog? (One
company who shall remain nameless did offer a "blogger gift bag;" if it
anything like actors receive at the Oscars or college football players
get when they attend a bowl game, count me in).
Which gives me an idea......
.......................................................................
In 2010, Morgan Spurlock released the movie "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold:"
In
the film, he sets out to finance the movie by getting advertisers to
sponsor the film, which is essentially a movie about how advertising is
polluting our lives and minds.
Given how many pitches I have received in the past couple weeks, I have decided to become a sell-out myself:
1. Sponsor my blog
If it worked for Morgan Spurlock, it can work for me. I am more than willing to rename my blog, "(Your company name)
presents: True Faith HR." I'd be glad to include your company logo in
every SHRM16 blog post I write. I'd include your company name in every
tweet I issue. I'd even include pictures of myself in your company
clothing line. As my blog and tweets will likely reach thousands of
eyes, what better way to get your name out there.
Just make me an offer.
2. Draw my name at your booth for your "Grand Prize."
This will be my 16th SHRM Annual Conference in a row. In my previous 15
years of attending the conference, I have yet to have my name drawn as
the winner of a booth's grand prize. You lure me in with the promise of
an iPod, laptop, or GPS, yet each year I leave empty handed. I remain
firmly convinced it is due to the credentials listed above; if I am not
likely to buy your product, why give me the prize.
BUT.....now I have this blog. Why give the prize to Donna in benefits
from Boise, Idaho. Draw my name instead. You can be sure as all get
out that I will be talking about my newApple Watch on this blog and I'll be
giving your company all sorts of props here. C'mon, what better way to
make your company look magnanimous that giving this here blogger your
prize?!?!?
So, vendors, what say you? I'm not expensive....I'll take an Apple Watch,
Amazon gift card, pound notes, loose change, bad checks,
anything. Do I have to come right flat out and tell you everything?
In less than a month, individuals will be heading to Washington DC to attend the 2016 SHRM Annual Conference.
This will be my 16th straight SHRM Annual Conference, and, based on my years of
experience, here are the things you do NOT want to do while attending.
1. Do NOT avoid drinking water AccuWeather predicts temperatures in the high 80s/low 90s (Farenheit) during the conference. Given the
significant amount of walking you're likely to do as well as the arctic
temperatures inside the convention center to counteract the heat, you'll
need all the H20 you can handle. Bring a portable water bottle and
keep it filled and by your side at all times.
2. Do NOT suffer from SWAG remorse.
The
exhibit hall is going to open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 19 and you going
to be tempted by every vendor with some sort of gee-gaw or doo-dad that
you absolutely have to bring back to the office. You may have already
received an inch tall pile of vendor mail and you've mapped out your
strategy for maximizing your haul. You may have even packed light so
that you have plenty of room in your suitcase for all the giveaways. It
is free, right? You HAVE To grab it. Trust me, as a former victim,
you will suffer from SWAG remorse. It may take a week....it may take a
month, but you are going to look at that tote bag full of "goodies" you
brought back and you are going to ask yourself why you grabbed that 7th
t-shirt or 14th squeeze ball. Regret always tastes sour.
3. Do NOT just attend the sessions You're in the nation's capital. While there is much to learn in the convention center, your broader education can take place outside its walls. You have the Smithsonian as well as the Air & Space Museum and the Newseum. And, of course, you have the sights. The Washington Monument. The Lincoln Memorial. I prefer the Jefferson Memorial....the Weezy Jefferson Memorial, that is.
I
have posted this several times since 2010, and people are still not
listening. Rollerbags are the scourge of the exhibit hall. They get
underfoot, and people are often unaware of the people behind them when
toting it along. Don't be that person.
You
make think the exhibit hall is huge, but the rows are narrower than you
think. If you see someone you know, step out of the way, so that
others can traverse the area more freely. If people have to walk around
you, you're doing it wrong. 7. Do NOT be Gwyneth Paltrow in "Contagion"
I
know you are excited to be going to Washington, DC, and hanging with 12,000+
of your favorite HR friends. You may have already spent significant
dollars on travel, hotel, etc. However, if you are even
remotely close to being ill, please consider staying home. It seems I
get ill once every couple of years, and most likely I caught something
from a sick person. So, do not be patient zero. 8. Do NOT buy your coffee at the Convention Center
I know those vendors have paid high rent and are trying to earn a buck. However, the lines will rival that of the TSA as you fly to DC. Get your caffeine fix at your hotel. Also, the Convention Center is located near a number of cafes.
9. Do NOT text or tweet and walk
There
will be 12,000+ individuals in attendance. When that General Session with Amy Cuddy or Mike Rowe lets
out, you and all your new friends will simultaneously be trying to get
out of the hall and head to the next session, the bathroom, or to grab
some coffee. Please do not start walking and stare down at your phone.
I am excited that you have the Twitter, Facebook, or Hootsuite app, and
you are using the #SHRM16 hashtag. But, inevitably, you will run into
the back of someone. This will not be one of those "meet cute"
scenarios you see in the movies. Instead, you will likely be called out
because that person you just ran into will see your name on your badge. 10. Do NOT rush the door when exiting your SHRM Shuttle
11. Do NOT wear your SHRM Conference badge at night.
As
SHRM notes, wearing your badge outside of the convention center will
peg you as a visitor from out of town and a target for crime. Even
worse, many of you will likely heading to one of the bevy of parties
that are out there. Bad behavior might ensue. Wearing your badge will
likely make your name live in infamy as people mention your sordid
exploits at future conferences. Try to drink in relative anonymity and
leave your badge in your hotel room. Sight see, but do NOT be a sight
seen. So, what else would you tell attendees NOT to do? Leave a note
below, or tweet your suggestion to #SHRM16Festivus.
In about a month, individuals will be heading to Las Vegas to attend the 2015 SHRM Annual Conference. This will be my 15th SHRM Annual Conference, and, based on my years of experience, here are the things you do
NOT want to do while attending.
1. Do NOT avoid drinking water Its the desert, people. Every day will likely be 100 degrees and it will be a dry heat, so you won't even feel like you're sweating. But, given the significant amount of walking you're likely to do as well as the arctic temperatures inside the convention center to counteract the heat, you'll need all the H20 you can handle. Bring a portable water bottle and keep it filled and by your side at all times.
2. Do NOT suffer from SWAG remorse. The
exhibit hall is going to open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and you
going to be tempted by every vendor with some sort of gee-gaw or doo-dad
that you absolutely have to bring back to the office. You may have
already received an inch tall pile of vendor mail and you've mapped out
your strategy for maximizing your haul. You may have even packed light
so that you have plenty of room in your suitcase for all the giveaways. It is
free, right? You HAVE To grab it. Trust me, as a former victim, you
will suffer from SWAG remorse. It may take a week....it may take a
month, but you are going to look at that tote bag full of "goodies" you
brought back and you are going to ask yourself why you grabbed that 7th
t-shirt or 14th squeeze ball. Regret always tastes sour. 3. Do NOT accept anything being handed to you by anyone on the Las Vegas Strip You'll suffer from more than SWAG remorse. Trust me on this one.
4. Do NOT bring a rollerbag to the conference I
have posted this several times since 2010, and people are still not
listening. Rollerbags are the scourge of the exhibit hall. They get
underfoot, and people are often unaware of the people behind them when
toting it along. Don't be that person. 5. Do NOT get in the way You
make think the exhibit hall is huge, but the rows are narrower than you
think. If you see someone you know, step out of the way, so that
others can traverse the area more freely. If people have to walk around
you, you're doing it wrong. 6. Do NOT use the phrase "Seat at the Table" or you'll be fined $100 The phrase "seat at the table" is officially barred from mention at the conference. If you say it, you owe $100 to the SHRM Foundation.
If you overhear it in Las Vegas, tell that person they owe $100 to the
SHRM Foundation. If a speaker uses it in a session, please tweet out the
following phrase:
"(Insert speaker name here) owes $100 to the @shrmfoundation for saying "Seat at the table." #SHRM15 #SHRMShame" 7. Do NOT be Gwyneth Paltrow in "Contagion" I
know you are excited to be going to Las Vegas, and hanging with 13,000+
of your favorite HR friends. You may have already spent significant
dollars on travel, hotel, Cirque tickets, etc. However, if you are even
remotely close to being ill, please consider staying home. It seems I
get ill once every couple of years, and most likely I caught something
from a sick person. So, do not be patient zero. Dr. Oz may be a keynote speaker, but I doubt he can magically prevent germs from being spread. 8. Do NOT treat students with disrespect This
one goes out to the exhibit hall vendors. Ideally, every person who
walks through the exhibit hall should be treated with respect. However,
it is inevitable every year that my students will come back with horror
stories about being treated rudely by someone manning an exhibit hall
booth. I know you are there to make potential sales connections, and a
student is unlikely to be a customer anytime soon. However, if these
students are dedicated enough to travel to Las Vegas to attend the conference, they are dedicated to the
profession, and will likely be a potential customer in the future.
Don't burn a bridge before it has a chance to be constructed, as those
students will remember who did them wrong! 9. Do NOT text or tweet and walk There
will be 13,000+ individuals in attendance at the Las Vegas Convention Center. When
that General Session with Marcus Buckingham or Dr. Oz lets out, you and
all your new friends will simultaneously be trying to get out of the
hall and head to the next session, the bathroom, or to grab some
coffee. Please do not start walking and stare down at your phone. I am
excited that you have the Twitter, Facebook, or Hootsuite app, and you
are using the #SHRM15 hashtag. But, inevitably, you will run into the
back of someone. This will not be one of those "meet cute" scenarios
you see in the movies. Instead, you will likely be called out because
that person you just ran into will see your name on your badge. 10. Do NOT make me stand up & participate during your session
If
you are a speaker and part of your schtick is to get me to do some
activity as part of the session (particularly as a warm-up at the
beginning), unless it magically causes me to lose 40 pounds, you will
receive the lowest rating possible. It tells me you do not have enough
material for the time required. 11. Do NOT wear your SHRM Conference badge at night. As
SHRM notes, wearing your badge outside of the convention center will
peg you
as a visitor from out of town and a target for crime. Even worse, many
of you will likely heading to one of the bevy of parties that are out
there. Bad behavior might ensue. Wearing your badge will likely
make your name live in infamy as people mention your sordid exploits at
future conferences. Try to drink in relative anonymity and leave your
badge in your hotel room. Sight see, but do NOT be a sight to be seen. So, what else would you tell attendees NOT to do? Leave a note below, or tweet your suggestion to #SHRM15Festivus . Also, check out the #NextChat twitter discussion on Wednesday, June 3 at 3:00 p.m./2:00 Central for all things #SHRM15
related from the #SHRM15Blogger crew
In less than a month, individuals will be heading to Orlando to attend the 2014 SHRM Annual Conference. This will be my 14th SHRM Annual Conference, and, based on my years of experience, here are the things you do
NOT want to do while attending. 1. Do NOT suffer from SWAG remorse. The
exhibit hall is going to open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 and you
going to be tempted by every vendor with some sort of gee-gaw or doo-dad
that you absolutely have to bring back to the office. You may have
already received an inch tall pile of vendor mail and you've mapped out
your strategy for maximizing your haul. You may have even packed light
so that you have plenty of room in your suitcase for the haul. It is
free, right? You HAVE To grab it. Trust me, as a former victim, you
will suffer from SWAG remorse. It may take a week....it may take a
month, but you are going to look at that tote bag full of "goodies" you
brought back and you are going to ask yourself why you grabbed that 7th
t-shirt or 14th squeeze ball. Regret always tastes sour. 2. Do NOT bring a rollerbag to the conference I
have posted this several times since 2010, and people are still not
listening. Rollerbags are the scourge of the exhibit hall. They get
underfoot, and people are often unaware of the people behind them when
toting it along. Don't be that person. 3. Do NOT get in the way You
make think the exhibit hall is huge, but the rows are narrower than you
think. If you see someone you know, step out of the way, so that
others can traverse the area more freely. If people have to walk around
you, you're doing it wrong.
4. Do NOT use the phrase "Seat at the Table" or you'll be fined $100 The phrase "seat at the table" is officially barred from mention at the conference. If you say it, you owe $100 to the SHRM Foundation.
If you overhear it in Orlando, tell that person they owe $100 to the
SHRM Foundation. If a speaker uses it in a session, please tweet out the
following phrase:
"(Insert speaker name here) owes $100 to the @shrmfoundation for saying "Seat at the table." #SHRM14 #SHRMShame"
5. Do NOT be Gwyneth Paltrow in "Contagion"
I know you are excited to be going to Orlando, and hanging with 13,000+ of your favorite HR friends. You may have already spent significant dollars on travel, hotel, Disney tickets, etc. However, if you are even remotely close to being ill, please consider staying home. It seems I get ill once every couple of years, and most likely I caught something from a sick person. So, do not be patient zero. 6. Do NOT, treat students with disrespect
This one goes out to the exhibit hall vendors. Ideally, every person who walks through the exhibit hall should be treated with respect. However, it is inevitable every year that my students will come back with horror stories about being treated rudely by someone manning an exhibit hall booth. I know you are there to make potential sales connections, and a student is unlikely to be a customer anytime soon. However, if these students are dedicated to travel to Orlando, they are dedicated to the profession, and will likely be a potential customer in the future. Don't burn a bridge before it has a chance to be constructed, as those students will remember who did them wrong! 7. Do NOT text or tweet and walk There
will be 13,000+ individuals in attendance at the Orlando Convention Center. When
that General Session with Robin Roberts or Tom Friedman lets out, you and
all your new friends will simultaneously be trying to get out of the
hall and head to the next session, the bathroom, or to grab some
coffee. Please do not start walking and stare down at your phone. I am
excited that you have the Twitter, Facebook, or Hootsuite app, and you
are using the #SHRM14 hashtag. But, inevitably, you will run into the
back of someone. This will not be one of those "meet cute" scenarios
you see in the movies. Instead, you will likely be called out because
that person you just ran into will see your name on your badge.
8. Do NOT make me stand up & participate during your sessionIf you are a speaker and part of your schtick is to get me to do some activity as part of the session (particularly as a warm-up at the beginning), unless it magically causes me to lose 40 pounds, you will receive the lowest rating possible. It tells me you do not have enough material for the time required. 9. Do NOT wear your SHRM Conference badge at night. As
SHRM notes, wearing your badge outside of the convention center will peg you
as a visitor from out of town and a target for crime. Even worse, many
of you will likely heading to one of the bevy of parties they are out there. Bad behavior might ensue. Wearing your badge will likely
make your name live in infamy as people mention your sordid exploits at
future conferences. Try to drink in relative anonymity and leave your
badge in your hotel room.
So, what else would you tell attendees NOT to do? Leave a note below, or tweet your suggestion to #SHRM14Festivus (h/t to Laurie Ruettimann for the hashtag). Also, check out the #SHRMChat twitter discussion this afternoon at 3:00 p.m./2:00 Central for all things #SHRM14 related. http://weknownext.com/blog/nextchat-the-shrm14-experience
Advice has already starting flowing in about what to do while in Chicago for the big event. In case you missed it: China Gorman provides some excellent advice about maximizing your SHRM Conference experience. Jessica Miller-Merrill provides you with the top 10 things to do while you are in Chicago and not going to the conference. Trish McFarlane has brought back her 10 Conference Commandments. This will not one of those posts. I will be attending my 13th SHRM Annual Conference, and below I, instead, will provide you, based on my years of experience, the things you do NOT want to do while attending. 1. Do NOT suffer from SWAG remorse. The exhibit hall is going to open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 and you going to be tempted by every vendor with some sort of gee-gaw or doo-dad that you absolutely have to bring back to the office. You may have already received an inch tall pile of vendor mail and you've mapped out your strategy for maximizing your haul. You may have even packed light so that you have plenty of room in your suitcase for the haul. It is free, right? You HAVE To grab it. Trust me, as a former victim, you will suffer from SWAG remorse. It may take a week....it may take a month, but you are going to look at that tote bag full of "goodies" you brought back and you are going to ask yourself why you grabbed that 7th t-shirt or 14th squeeze ball. Regret always tastes sour. 2. Do NOT bring a rollerbag to the conference I have posted this several times since 2010, and people are still not listening. Rollerbags are the scourge of the exhibit hall. They get underfoot, and people are often unaware of the people behind them when toting it along. Don't be that person. 3. Do NOT get in the way You make think the exhibit hall is huge, but the rows are narrower than you think. If you see someone you know, step out of the way, so that others can traverse the area more freely. If people have to walk around you, you're doing it wrong.
4. Do NOT use the phrase "Seat at the Table" or you'll be fined $100 The phrase "seat at the table" is officially barred from mention at the conference. If you say it, you owe $100 to the SHRM Foundation. If you overhear it in Chicago, tell that person they owe $100 to the SHRM Foundation. If a speaker uses it in a session, please tweet out the following phrase:
"(Insert speaker name here) owes $100 to the @shrmfoundation for saying "Seat at the table." #SHRM13 #SHRMShame"
5. Do NOT attempt to scalp your Kelly Clarkson wristband
Unless you're registered as a "ticket broker" with the Illinois Secretary of State, selling/bartering for tickets anywhere at an event venue aside from the box office is illegal. It is a Class A misdemeanor and you may be subject to a $5000 fine from the state of Illinois. Note: I am not a lawyer, nor will I be staying in a Holiday Inn Express while at SHRM Annual. 6. Do NOT, under any circumstances, sing "Happy Birthday" to Jennifer McClure at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, June 17.
While it is Jennifer McClure's 32nd birthday on June 17, she would TOTALLY be embarrassed and would just hate it if a capacity crowd began singing "Happy Birthday" to her as she closed out her Mega-Session. Instead, she would appreciate it if you simply attended...oh, and some Diet Coke, cupcakes, and M&M's. 7. Do NOT text or tweet and walk There will be 13,000+ individuals in attendance at the McCormick Place. When that General Session with Dan Pink or Blake Mycoskie lets out, you and all your new friends will simultaneously be trying to get out of the hall and head to the next session, the bathroom, or to grab some coffee. Please do not start walking and stare down at your phone. I am excited that you have the Twitter, Facebook, or Hootsuite app, and you are using the #SHRM13 hashtag. But, inevitably, you will run into the back of someone. This will not be one of those "meet cute" scenarios you see in the movies. Instead, you will likely be called out because that person you just ran into will see your name on your badge. 8. Do NOT wear your SHRM Conference badge at night. As SHRM notes, wearing your badge outside of McCormick Place will peg you as a visitor from out of town and a target for crime. Even worse, many of you will likely heading to one of the bevy of parties, or, from what I hear, Chicago has a few bars. Drinking will likely lead to bad behavior on the part of some of you. Wearing your badge will likely make your name live in infamy as people mention your sordid exploits at future conferences. Try to drink in relative anonymity and leave your badge in your hotel room. So, what else would you tell attendees NOT to do? Leave a note below, or tweet your suggestion to #SHRM13Festivus (h/t to Laurie Ruettimann for the hashtag)
I've been on the road most of the day traveling from Michigan to Wisconsin, but I wanted to respond to Laurie Ruettimann's post on the current SHRM election. She was kind enough to vote for me, along with the rest of the 8 Man Rotation (Lance Haun, Tim Sackett, Kris Dunn, Steve Boese) for the 2013 SHRM Board of Directors.
I can't speak for the rest of my 8 Man Rotation brethren, and I am not sure I will have the time in 2013 to attend the SHRM Board meetings, along with the concomitant requirements of serving, but, if elected:
1. I will not fly first class. I'll settle for an exit row along with frequent delivery of Diet Coke to my seat from a flight attendant.
2. Any monies received from serving on the Board will be redirected immediately to the SHRM Foundation.
Also, note that the8manrotation.com will be up and running by 2013.
In the meantime, while voting for the 8 Man Rotation for the 2013 SHRM Board of Directors, you can read the 2010 edition and the 2011 edition of "The 8 Man Rotation - A Look at Sports and HR."
Let me channel my inner Andy Rooney (or Harlan Ellison if you will) for a moment. I will be attending the SHRM Annual Conference for the tenth time in a few days. I always leave with a positive feeling both about the experience and the profession. There is, however, an item that makes vuvuzelas sound like Mozart (or Hall and Oates if that is your musical predilection) - roller bags in the exhibit hall.
Why roller bags? On Sunday afternoon, June 24, thousands of HR professionals will descend into the exhibit hall for some food, to speak to a vendor, to try to win a prize, or to pick up some free swag that an exhibitor will giveaway. Presumably given out by vendors to not only promote their product, but to help the attendee carry away the pens, t-shirts, squeezeballs and other geegaws he or she has picked up along the way, the roller bag seems like a great prize. So, where is the fail?
The roller bag is always underfoot - I can't tell you how many times I have, or have seen others, nearly tripped over these menaces while navigating the conference.
People are oblivious to their own space - Many cities and states are passing laws banning texting and driving. At the SHRM conference, they should ban texting while pulling a roller bag. Don't be surprised to see a person trying to talk or text, while carrying a cup of coffee, and trying to pull a roller bag. Its a bad combo.
Space is limited - Filling a conference with thousands of people leads to congestion. This congestion is only exacerbated with a roller bag. As people walk through the passages of the convention center and exhibit hall with a roller bag, they operate as if the bag was not there. They don't realize that the bag acts as a 2nd person behind them, taking up valuable space.
So, if you are an exhibitor at SHRM this year, I implore you to not give a roller bag away as a prize. Similarly, if you are attending the SHRM Annual Conference, have a great time. But, don't be that person with the roller bag.
With the SHRM Annual Conference less than 2 weeks away, and sparked by this tweet from Ben Eubanks, I thought the timing was perfect to revisit this post from last year about the requests of vendors to meet. There are only slight modifications to reflect that its 2012.
1963
In 11 days, I will be flying out to Las Vegas for the 2012 SHRM Annual Conference.
One of the rites of passage associated with registering and attending
the conference is the bevy of mail you receive from vendors hoping to
lure you to their booth to discuss the latest in HR technology, drug
testing, relocation, etc. Occasionally, they entice you with the
promise of a certain geegaw that you can't find at any other booth. It
would not be uncommon to receive 13+ pieces of mail a day in the 3 weeks
prior to the start of the conference.
However, the pitch has changed.......
...........................................................
In 2010, at the SHRM Annual Conference I had the opportunity to be part of the 1st "SHRM Blog Squad," where I had the opportunity to highlight many of the conference events. You can read more details about it here. Thanks to Curtis Midkiff (@shrmsocmedguy) and Jennifer Hughes (@SHRMPress),
I will once again be able to share my feeble thoughts on the conference
yet again. However, because of my registration as a blogger for the
conference, I have yet to receive a single piece of vendor mail.
However, I have been inundated with e-mails from vendors asking me to
set up appointments to meet with their CEO or hear about their latest
product, presumably as a pitch to feature him or her or the product in
my blog.
As a courtesy to these vendors, let me tell you about my credentials:
1. I am an Associate Professor of Business Administration.
2. In that role, I make approximately .1% of any decision affecting the human resources of our organization.
3. In the words of Lloyd Dobler, in "Say Anything:" "I don't want to
sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't
want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or
processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair
anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't
want to do that"
So, I may be the wrong audience to target.
The one thing missing is a little WIIFM: What's In It For Me. What do I
get out of taking time out of my busy SHRM Conference schedule to hear
your pitch and feature your product/service/CEO in my blog? (One
company who shall remain nameless did offer a "blogger gift bag;" if it
anything like actors receive at the Oscars or college football players
get when they attend a bowl game, count me in).
Which gives me an idea......
.......................................................................
In 2010, Morgan Spurlock released the movie "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold:"
In
the film, he sets out to finance the movie by getting advertisers to
sponsor the film, which is essentially a movie about how advertising is
polluting our lives and minds.
Given how many pitches I have received in the past couple weeks, I have decided to become a sell-out myself:
1. Sponsor my blog
If it worked for Morgan Spurlock, it can work for me. I am more than willing to rename my blog, "(Your company name)
presents: True Faith HR." I'd be glad to include your company logo in
every SHRM11 blog post I write. I'd include your company name in every
tweet I issue. I'd even include pictures of myself in your company
clothing line. As my blog and tweets will likely reach thousands of
eyes, what better way to get your name out there.
Just make me an offer.
2. Draw my name at your booth for your "Grand Prize."
This will be my 12th SHRM Annual Conference in a row. In my previous 11 years of attending the conference, I have yet to have my name drawn as
the winner of a booth's grand prize. You lure me in with the promise of
an iPod, laptop, Coach purse, or GPS, yet each year I leave empty handed. I remain
firmly convinced it is due to the credentials listed above; if I am not
likely to buy your product, why give me the prize.
BUT.....now I have this blog. Why give the prize to Donna in benefits
from Boise, Idaho. Draw my name instead. You can be sure as all get
out that I will be talking about my new iPad 3 on this blog and I'll be
giving your company all sorts of props here. C'mon, what better way to
make your company look magnanimous that giving this here blogger your
prize?!?!?
So, vendors, what say you? I'm not expensive....I'll take an iPad 3,
Amazon gift card, Tom Toms, pound notes, loose change, bad checks,
anything. Do I have to come right flat out and tell you everything?
In 8 days, I will be flying out to Las Vegas for the 2011 SHRM Annual Conference. One of the rites of passage associated with registering and attending the conference is the bevy of mail you receive from vendors hoping to lure you to their booth to discuss the latest in HR technology, drug testing, relocation, etc. Occasionally, they entice you with the promise of a certain geegaw that you can't find at any other booth. It would not be uncommon to receive 13+ pieces of mail a day in the 3 weeks prior to the start of the conference.
However, the pitch has changed.......
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Last year, at the SHRM Annual Conference I had the opportunity to be part of the 1st "SHRM Blog Squad," where I had the opportunity to highlight many of the conference events. You can read more details about it here. Thanks to Curtis Midkiff (@shrmsocmedguy) and Jennifer Hughes (@SHRMPress), I will once again be able to share my feeble thoughts on the conference yet again. However, because of my registration as a blogger for the conference, I have yet to receive a single piece of vendor mail.
However, I have been inundated with e-mails from vendors asking me to set up appointments to meet with their CEO or hear about their latest product, presumably as a pitch to feature him or her or the product in my blog. In addition, I have receive numerous calls from these companies following up on their e-mails.
As a courtesy to these vendors, let me tell you about my credentials:
1. I am an Associate Professor of Business Administration.
2. In that role, I make approximately .1% of any decision affecting the human resources of our organization.,
3. In the words of Lloyd Dobler, in "Say Anything:" "I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that"
So, I may be the wrong audience to target.
The one thing missing is a little WIIFM: What's In It For Me. What do I get out of taking time out of my busy SHRM Conference schedule to hear your pitch and feature your product/service/CEO in my blog? (One company who shall remain nameless did offer a "blogger gift bag;" if it anything like actors receive at the Oscars or college football players get when they attend a bowl game, count me in).
Which gives me an idea......
.......................................................................
In 2010, Morgan Spurlock released the movie "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold:"
In the film, he sets out to finance the movie by getting advertisers to sponsor the film, which is essentially a movie about how advertising is polluting our lives and minds.
Given how many pitches I have received in the past couple weeks, I have decided to become a sell-out myself:
1. Sponsor my blog
If it worked for Morgan Spurlock, it can work for me. I am more than willing to rename my blog, "(Your company name) presents: True Faith HR." I'd be glad to include your company logo in every SHRM11 blog post I write. I'd include your company name in every tweet I issue. I'd even include pictures of myself in your company clothing line. As my blog and tweets will likely reach thousands of eyes, what better way to get your name out there.
Just make me an offer.
2. Draw my name at your booth for your "Grand Prize."
This will be my 11th SHRM Annual Conference in a row. In my previous 10 years of attending the conference, I have yet to have my name drawn as the winner of a booth's grand prize. You lure me in with the promise of an iPod, laptop, or GPS, yet each year I leave empty handed. I remain firmly convinced it is due to the credentials listed above; if I am not likely to buy your product, why give me the prize.
BUT.....now I have this blog. Why give the prize to Donna in benefits from Boise, Idaho. Draw my name instead. You can be sure as all get out that I will be talking about my new iPad 2 on this blog and I'll be giving your company all sorts of props here. C'mon, what better way to make your company look magnanimous that giving this here blogger your prize?!?!?
So, vendors, what say you? I'm not expensive....I'll take an iPad 2, Amazon gift card, Tom Toms, pound notes, loose change, bad checks, anything. Do I have to come right flat out and tell you everything?
