Can a blog article have a soundtrack? I am including a few iconic song titles in this one to set the stage for my piece on how Human Resources and Finance are the rhythm section of business.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Cue: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n HR and Finance are the \u201cback office\u201d. We aren\u2019t out front like Mick and Keith. We\u2019re the rhythm section. We\u2019re like Charlie and Bill laying down the rhythm track from the back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The key to a good rhythm section is how the drummer and bass player really listen to each other so they can blend their talents, creating something special. It\u2019s like when the CFO really listens to HR so they can create a strategic plan that optimizes the human resources of the business. And it\u2019s like when HR really listens to the CFO so they can create recruiting, training and compensation programs that are tightly aligned with the financial and strategic priorities of the business. When HR and Finance blend their talents well, businesses end up with a whole group of rock stars.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If we\u2019re going to be a back office, let\u2019s be a legendary one. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cue: Respect (Aretha Franklin)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Legendary back offices instill values<\/strong>\u2026. because values are what give a business its soul. The legendary HR and Finance professionals find a way to reinforce the values of the business while we are out there doing our HR and Finance thing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The legendary back office infuses soul into the business much like the legendary Muscle Shoals Swampers who added their soulful rhythm tracks to the songs that helped make Aretha Franklin the Queen of Soul. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cue: Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Legendary back offices create energy<\/strong>. Some accounting and HR departments can suck the energy out of a business with their bureaucratic ways, The legendary back offices energize a business with their excellence and their enthusiasm.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The legendary back offices create energy like the legendary rhythm section of Sly and the Family Stone who got everybody dancing to the music.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cue: Ain\u2019t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Legendary back offices inspire teamwork<\/strong>. Now I\u2019m not talking about every day ordinary teamwork. I\u2019m talking about the \u201cAin\u2019t No Mountain High Enough\u201d kind where no mountain, river or valley will keep us from backing up our teammates.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The legendary back offices back up their teammates like the Funk Brothers backed up the stars of Motown Records.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n HR and Finance can create the backbeat that drives a business toward success. Let\u2019s be legendary!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Special thanks to Sommer Sherrod<\/a> and Ricky Baez<\/a> for letting me do this talk on stage at their DisruptHR Orlando<\/a> event. And very special thanks to Kim Shaw<\/a> for being the Tammi Terrell to my Marvin Gaye in the sing-along segment of my talk. Watch this video<\/a> to be wowed by Kim\u2019s vocals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLet’s Do Three Things<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Instill Values<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Create Energy<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Inspire Teamwork<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n