Lionel Richie? For Those About to Rock at SHRM, I Salute You...
June 24, 2008
The always reliable John Hollon reports from Chicago that the new CEO of SHRM hasn't yet been named...
Maybe I haven't been contacted yet because I haven't made my platform clear. Here's my platform - In my first move as the incoming SHRM CEO, I'm booking the entertainment for the 2009 SHRM Convention in New Orleans.
My pick? A superband that can bring together young and old, cool and challenged, digital and analog, and
yes, even compensation specialists and HR generalists.
If you said ABBA, please turn in your membership card today. We'll prorate your refund accordingly.
No, the group I'm turning to connects with every generation - Boomer/X/Y/Whatever...
AC/DC. That's right, the group who brought you Back in Black, You Shook Me All NIght Long, etc.
Here are the reasons:
1. Every generation knows the songs. I'm X, and the boomers seem to get AC/DC. On the other end, I went to a couple of high school basketball games last winter, and the kids are now playing the classics from AC/DC to warm up to. Interesting...Surely Y knows them as well...
2. Key Point - It's all about themes, images and the branding campaign the music brings moving forward. My branding campaign moving forward is going to include some AC/DC rifts. Here's the vision. Running commercials of attractive/professional (and of course diverse) HR Pros doing what they do in hip professional and manufacturing environments as business partners - various demographics. All to the tune of "For Those About To Rock, We Salute You". Think about it, HR's suddenly hip via imagery with an assist from Angus Young (guitarist for AC/DC). The next generation takes notice. So does Accounting....
3. Angus Young performs in a schoolboy outfit - it's just fun. Great show for the hard working profession that is HR...
Welcome to my branding, my fellow HR Pros. Are you about to rock in your job? Of course you are... That's why I'm saluting you...
Totally have my vote - I would even re-join SHRM and come to the conference, bring the wife and rock out with you. I'm getting on the phone to my friend 'DC' (see, even the initials make sense) at SHRM as I type...
But SHRM already understands branding... first it's 'Sherm'... now it's S.H.R.M.... no wait... it's 'Sherrrmm' again.
Posted by: James Hayton | June 24, 2008 at 04:43 AM
Actually, Van Halen would be more of an HR themed band. Talented people who can't stand each other working together, quitting, coming back...vry dysfunctional, we could rock out while analyzing issues and developing corrective actions.
Posted by: Michael VanDervort | June 24, 2008 at 05:00 AM
i'm coming on board to work for SHRM if you're chosen as the next CEO! tell me when you're accepting resumes. : )
Posted by: Jessica Lee | June 24, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Funny thing - English magazine Total Guitar has released a list of the worst cover songs of all time. Readers of the magazine’s top choice? Céline Dion’s dreadful take on AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” The song was never officially released by Dion, but You Tube has given the version (performed in Las Vegas in 2002 for a VH-1 special) a second life online.
I imagine she is available.
Posted by: Allen Etheridge | June 24, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Kris, If I wanted to watch old & fat dudes on stage covered in sweat, I'd go to a SHRM after-party karaoke session.
Let's book Green Day and just be done with the conversation.
Posted by: laurie ruettimann | June 24, 2008 at 01:39 PM
WOW - such great insights....
Michael - I thought of VH as well, nice call on the dysfunction front....
Laurie - Angus I could sell to the demographics of SHRM - Green Day? I'd love it, maybe it would work if they did that thing where they bring up 3 people from the crowd and teach them to play a riff...
Jessica - of course, you'll be my #2. Your first task, because I care and know what motivates you, making a warm place for 3PR's at SHRM...
Allen - are you serious? Is there YouTube to back that up/? Wow...
Posted by: KD | June 24, 2008 at 09:59 PM