A few weeks ago, I got an email from Chris Ferdinandi, asking if I’d check out an advance copy of his new e-book, Culture Convo. Chris is an HR Generalist with a learning and development focus for EMC Corporation, a global Fortune 500 company that helps organizations store and manage their digital data. As part of his role for EMC, he does some really cool development stuff using new media tools. He creates interactive career paths, produces weekly video podcasts, and provides training and webinars on career related issues. Check it out: http://youtube.com/emccareers, under the playlist “Global Services. Chris also shares his personal observations on the human resources world at Renegade HR.
I love a good book, so I said “Sure!” and he sent me a copy. The book is an easy-to-read primer on how companies can incorporate social media practices into their existing corporate communication strategies. When you purchase the book, you also get all sorts of cool freebies, like interviews with corporate culture powerhouses Zappos, Sodexo and DAXKO.
To give some context, I also asked Chris to share a bit about his new book with the readers of The People Equation. What follows is excerpted from a series of emails Chris and I exchanged last week.
TPE: You have a full-time job. Why bother with a blog?
CF: For me, blogging started as a way to share my ideas about the profession of HR beyond my immediate network.
Over the last two years, though, it’s become something a lot more powerful. Blogging has given me a global network. It’s connected me to some amazingly brilliant, insightful and talented professionals I otherwise would have never met. It’s helped me personal and professional development in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I started.
TPE: Your blog is promoted as “a blog about simple, back-to-basics human resources”. What does “back to basics” mean to you as it relates to HR?
CF: I think great human resources is really about giving people the tools they need to be successful, and then getting out of the way so people can do great work.
That means writing spending less time writing policies and more time helping managers become effective leaders.
TPE: Readers of The People Equation visit the blog to discuss workplace dynamics and leadership in the corporate world. How might your new book be of help to them?
CF: For readers who have great cultures and want to make more people aware how awesome it is to work at their organization, Culture Convo is a step-by-step guide to using social media to spread your “employer brand.”
For people who work at organizations with less-than-great cultures, or who are already well versed in social media, this book might not be for them.
TPE: Thanks, Chris, for sharing a bit about the world of social media and employer branding.
CF: My pleasure.
If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of the book, it’s promotionally priced for $19.00 until Friday, September 10 at midnight EST. After that, it’s $27.00. Click here to learn more.
Disclosure: As mentioned, I did receive a complimentary copy of Chris’ book to review. Other than that, I receive no compensation for the publication of this blog post. Other than the positive feelings I get from helping out a fellow HR pro. Which is payment enough for me.
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