One Minute HR Consultant

The day was sunny and bright, and I was relaxing on the porch of a close friend when I overheard a conversation by two contractors working on a property for a local landlord. 

“Ray doesn’t know business.  He doesn’t know the business I am trying to build.  He is one of those HR types that runs background checks and specializes in recruiting.  But he knows nothing about shipping, distribution, required freight costs and packaging.  Let’s not even talk about working with suppliers.” 

I nearly fell out of my chair and I looked at my friend who just stared at me as to say, “What is with you?”  Breaking the silence, I asked him, “Did you catch that?”  Returning my stare with a matter-of-fact smile, he stated, “Yeah, that’s the perception of HR on my job.” 

But for me it wasn’t that simple.  There stood two guys that had a vision of starting a company; the shingle based contracting business was only the beginning.  Yet even more surprising, they expressed an opinion of my passion and livelihood that is shared by perhaps many others – more than I (or we) probably like to admit. 

That casual comment has been on my mind now for almost two weeks with the words, “Ray doesn’t know the business” echoing in my head.  A statement so easily accepted by my friend that he barely even acknowledged that the statement had been made.  There I was with an undefined feeling that could only be described as a mixture of fury, embarrassment, and determination.  The question of ”What am I and my fellow HR professionals doing to change this perception?” looped in my conscience; loops in my conscience.    Continue reading »

With the surge of interest in entrepreneurship, HR professionals are not immune nor exempt from feeling the “entrepreneurial bug” and desiring to pursue the goal (with accompanying joy and trails) of business ownership.  Many of you are thinking about starting your own contracting or consulting businesses, which is great.  However, before you put the “shingle” out, you must not only plan, but execute – to the hilt.  In developing your business plan, you will quickly notice that there is a wealth of information out there providing advice on how to start your new business.  Upon further research and study, you will also note common themes such as developing a business plan, marketing your services, defining your niche, etc.  However, there are many skills and activities-tasks that are rarely discussed, but are critical to your business.  I am going to share FIVE of these activities and skills with you right now that if not followed will put your business in jeopardy, before it even starts – to earn money. Continue reading »