"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."
Confucius
A topical update on areas of interest!
What is "Net Neutrality"?
Why should we be worried about its global impact?
Net/Network Neutrality: "The principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites."
December 16, 2017
On Thursday, December 14, 2017, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to end net neutrality. Why is this so important?
Voltaire's words spring to mind at this point, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
All internet content is currently given equal access by internet service providers (ISPs) and legal content is available to all internet users. Disruptive innovation from small emerging businesses could be stifled as the now level playing field, is divided between those who can pay huge sums for access and those who can't. The open free market competition that created Facebook and Netflix could be unfairly denied to future start-ups entering the marketplace. In short, any business with a larger and better funded competitor could also be subject to this access imbalance. The ability to express political opinions, support political parties, promote causes or defend legal rights could also be negatively impacted by the demise of net neutrality. We must all be aware and take a stance, it's either equal access for all or tiered access defined by an organization's ability to pay!!! The choice is ours?
The quotes below were taken from The Independent newspaper (UK) on December 15, 2017.
“Without Net Neutrality, cable and phone companies could carve the internet into fast and slow lanes,” warns Save the Internet, a coalition of organisations that have been calling for the preservation of the rules."
“An ISP could slow down its competitors’ content or block political opinions it disagreed with. ISPs could charge extra fees to the few content companies that could afford to pay for preferential treatment – relegating everyone else to a slower tier of service."
“This would destroy the open internet.”
For more information on Net Neutrality please visit these websites at:
https://www.savetheinternet.com/sti-home
United Nations - International Volunteer Day
December 5, 2017
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” — Unknown
December 4, 2017
Whether you volunteer or not, the UN - International Volunteer Day certainly makes you think about the subject?
What does voluntary work say about us as individuals? Perhaps an issue or cause has captured your attention and you are displaying leadership qualities by consciously deciding to help? Individuals often forget that they are providing service to others and the community by undertaking voluntary work in addition to their regular routine. A person may be expanding their horizons, network of people and resources because of their involvement in these activities? You could be having a positive influence on another person's life or vice versa or it could be mutually beneficial? Usually people continue to volunteer because it is interesting and fun. The scope can range from a single act of volunteering in a local community setting to volunteering regularly in a disaster relief area and both are equally valid. Whether it is a business or organization adhering to the ethos of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a citizen interested in developing a more civil society, for humanitarian reasons or just helping a neighbour; these are all critical components of the volunteer experience.
There is a world of volunteering going on all around us every day. In many cases these services could not be provided without the contribution of volunteers. On December 5, the UN applauds and salutes all volunteers globally for their efforts.
For more information please visit the UN websites at:
http://www.un.org/en/events/volunteerday/
https://www.unv.org/internationalvolunteerday2017
From The President's Desk!
November 12, 2017
The HRPA Durham Fall 2017 Resource Magazine is now available. The issue is called Changing Communities. Please read my article on page 3.
Follow the link below:
We Live in an Interconnected World!
How Does One Become a Successful Global Human Resources Professional?
November 2, 2017
Dealing positively with cultural nuances, diversity and inclusion in multinational and geographically dispersed workplaces is a formidable task. The November 2017 issue of the Australian Human Resources Institute's HRM Magazine has a short article on this very relevant and worldwide topic.
Drawing on my experience and knowledge in this area, I have written a small piece providing some "Career Tips" on "Being a Global HR Professional". It can be found on page 43 of the HRM Magazine.
For more information please visit:
HRM Magazine | November 2017
https://www.ahri.com.au/resources/hrmonthly/2017/hrmonthly-november-2017
Learning & Development
Networking and remaining up-to-date on business and the professions is a constant challenge! As we know, colleges, universities and professional associations are fertile ground for these activities!! What a wonderful bonus when they collaborate and form partnerships!!!
October 5, 2017
As an alumnus of Aston University, Birmingham City University and McGill University, I feel deeply honoured. All three have unique collaborative ventures with several business and professional bodies. On this occasion, the focus of this piece is Aston University.
On October 5, 2017, Aston University hosted an Alumni Reception in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. During the event Aston's Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Professor Simon Green updated the audience on Aston's developments. I was present at this successful soiree.
Aston University: "Tried, tested and triple accredited. We are in the top 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS." "Choose any course, from undergraduate to DBA, and learn what makes Aston the University for Business and the professions."
I have the distinct privilege of a small mention on page 43 of their latest Aston in Touch Magazine 2017.
For more information on Aston University please visit:
Aston Magaziine - http://www.aston.ac.uk/alumni/news/magazine/
Aston Business School - http://www.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/
People management skills in disaster preparedness, emergency relief delivery and support, and the ability to perform “nimble diplomatic gymnastics” are all certainly at a premium.
September 5, 2017
International risk management has dramatically moved centre stage with two recent natural disasters in Texas, USA, and the other in South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal and India). This highlights the undeniable impact of global warming. It also shows how non-operational refineries, due to a natural disaster, raise petroleum prices around the world. Thus affecting trade, commerce and everyday life for over 7 billion people. Add to that the potential for a man-made nuclear disaster courtesy of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, “[we certainly] live in interesting times.” The UN and the international community must meet the challenge of navigating their way through these all-encompassing global events. People management skills in disaster preparedness, emergency relief delivery and support, and the ability to perform “nimble diplomatic gymnastics” are all certainly at a premium.
For more information on the impact of these global events visit:
Hurricane Harvey - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41143979
South Asia Flooding https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/30/mumbai-paralysed-by-floods-as-india-and-region-hit-by-worst-monsoon-rains-in-years
South Asia Flooding https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/04/floods-drought-season-mumbai-india-extreme-weather
North Korea Missile Testing - http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/north-korea-hydrogen-bomb-claim-options-1.4274518
North Korea Missile Testing - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41152509
How to manage expectations: from onboarding to promotion?
The Australian HR Institute (AHRI) has some interesting ideas!!!
August 2, 2017
The challenge remains to deliver and mutually understand basic expectations from the perspective of the employee and employer. I look to the words of Confucius for inspiration on this point, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
Although some of the references in this article are clearly to the Australian context, the majority of the suggestions are equally relevant to a global audience.
Interested?
Follow the link for further details:
http://www.hrmonline.com.au/performance/manage-expectations-onboarding-promotions/
Brexit - United Kingdom's departure from the European Union
How will this affect business from a HR perspective?
July 10, 2017
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) explores the post Brexit landscape.
https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/emp-law/recruitment/post-brexit-skills-shortages
For further discussion on this and other topics please visit the CIPD Community website:
Ernest Ogunleye, President
Human Resources Professionals Association Durham
June 6, 2017
It is with humility, a sense of gravitas and feeling deeply honoured that I assume the Presidency of the Human Resources Professionals Association Durham Chapter (HRPA Durham). I am very pleased as the Owner & Principal Consultant of EON Performance Solutions to be fortunate enough to accommodate this new role.
This is after two years as a HRPA Durham Director, Chair of the Student Relations/Education Committee and 18 months as Chair of the Mentorship Committee. Prior to this, I also completed two years as the Director of Government Affairs Liaison on the HRPA Halton Board. I am now moving on to the Presidency of HRPA Durham.
George Bernard Shaw once said, “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” I hope to build on the legacy of many past Presidents (Durham & Halton) by guiding HRPA Durham, with support from the Board, through future challenges. It is very clear to me that HR, Learning & Development and Management Consulting are constantly evolving. People management solutions are of global importance and so innovation is not restricted to any individual, association or continent. That is why I am glad, through my professional memberships, to have access to approximately 186,000 HR practitioners and their resources around the world.
HRPA has 23,000 members (Ontario, Canada), CIPD has 143,000 members (UK & globally) and AHRI has 20,000 members (Australia). I have also worked in Québec, Canada, where the CRHA has 10,000 members (Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés du Québec). As we at HRPA Durham embark on the next stage of this great adventure the words of Emelia Earhart spring to mind, “Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done.”
HRPA Member (Ontario, Canada)
https://www.hrpa.ca/HRPAChapters/durham/governance/Pages/default.aspx
CIPD Member - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK & globally)
AHRI Member - Australian HR Institute
Ernest has also worked in Québec.
CRHA - L'Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (Québec, Canada)
http://www.portailrh.org/ (en français)
What is coming next in the "ransonware" saga?
Have you completed an IT security audit? Are you prepared for what the future has in store?
May 16, 2017
This article was written in January 2017 and in the wake of the "ransomware" cyberattack that has hit companies and governments around the world, it seems more relevant than ever. Experts according to CBC, CNN and BBC reports believe new versions could emerge.
For more information please visit this website at:
http://www.hrmonline.com.au/section/specialist-hr/cybersecurity-prevent-data-breach/
Can do better!!!
Whether it’s a momentary mishap or an ongoing concern, why do some staff fail to perform?
And what can an employer do about it?
[Basically, mea culpa and this is the action plan to avoid it happening again in the future!!!!]
May 2, 2017
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
Lou Holtz (American Football Player & Coach)
A perfect example of a "momentary mishap".........
The 2017 Oscars has dramatically shown how human error regarding "a single envelope" can disrupt a high profile and prestigious event. In a statement, PwC said he [the PwC employee] "mistakenly handed [them] the back-up envelope for actress in a leading role instead." Apparently the PwC employee responsible for the error was tweeting on his cell phone only moments before. How appropriate that PwC used twitter to acknowledge the mistake and apologise. It also appears that PwC will be completing a detailed review of procedures before their 84th year officiating at the 2018 Oscars. PwC as the employer, seems to have acted in a timely and professional manner following this mishap.
For further details please visit:
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39112851
Blockchain technology and its impact on Human Resources?
The emerging world of "secure files", crypto-currency, direct person-to-person payment systems and Bitcoins.
April 2, 2017
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.”
Albert Einstein
Please read this interesting, straightforward and reader-friendly article at:
Learning & Development
Do you have venue and travel costs in your training budget?
March 2, 2017
As the snow thaws, allowing winter to seamlessly transition into spring, our thoughts stray to outside activities other than winter sports.
There is some good news. It may be possible to stretch your Learning & Development budget a little further? Are you planning any team building events, employee wellness activities, training opportunities, regional meetings or conferences in 2017? If you are, why not use Canada Parks and Historic Sites as your venue?
Canada is celebrating its 150th Birthday in 2017 (1867-2017). All Canada National Parks and National Historic Sites are free. Canada Parks is providing a free “2017 Discovery Pass” which allows unrestricted entry to all locations (subject to parking or any additional fees above admission). The offer applies to Canadian citizens and international visitors in equal measure.
From Ukkusiksalik National Park (Nunavut) in the extreme north to Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site (British Columbia) in the south. From the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site in the east to Abbot Pass Refuge Cabin National Historic Site (Alberta) in the west. The historic sites and natural landscapes of Canada are open to you!!!!
The 2017 Discovery Pass is valid from January 1st 2017 to December 31st 2017.
To find out more go to : http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/voyage-travel/admission.aspx
Managing Your Career in a Rapidly Changing World
February 2, 2017
Your career is in your hands and a world of opportunities await you.
Read my article for the Human Resources Professionals Association's Resource
Magazine for more details.
https://issuu.com/suep/docs/your_hr_career/4
The Global Economy - How will it affect you?
January 20, 2017
The Goldman Sachs 2017 MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK
It makes interesting listening and reading. I wonder how many of the predictions will come true?
http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/outlook-2017/