2008 Pre-Conference Workshops - Tuesday, October 14

Full Day Options

Option 1:
PHR/SPHR Certification Crash Course

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Presented by Barbara Hoover, SPHR, Donna Howard, SPHR, and Karen Adams, PHR

Recertification credits are not available for this workshop

HRCI’s Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications are highly valued testimonies to knowledge and experience in all facets of the profession.  More than 70,000 HR professional in Texas currently have earned their certification making this designation a competitive advantage for job seekers.  HR SOUTHWEST’s “Crash Course” for the PHR and SPHR exam will help individuals prepare for this extensive exam by providing participants with overviews of the HRCI Body of Knowledge categories, study materials and resources, and exam taking tips. 

Option 2:
Emotional Intelligence - Smart Strategies for Effective Leadership

8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Presented by Jim Vance, SPHR, Advanced Business Resources

6.0 General Recertification Credit Hours

Most business leaders and managers have never had any practical training in the interrelatedness of thought, feeling, and workplace productivity. This highly acclaimed seminar bridges the gap between popular works which describe the importance of Emotional Intelligence, and the practical insight for everyday hands-on application that they leave out. In a few enjoyable hours you will learn hidden behavior principles, and gain important information that few people have. You will leave the program with increased ability to recognize, manage, and constructively use the information communicated by emotions.You will leave with increased ability to advance employee, business, and personal goals and agenda’s.

Option 3:
The Cultural "Fit" Factor: How to Align Culture and Employment Brand to Increase the ROI of Recuitment and Retention

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Presented by Lizz Pellet, EMERGE International

7.0 Strategic Recertification Credit Hours

Here’s your chance to be the session rather than just attend one!  Lizz Pellet, author and globally recognized expert in employment branding, EVP and organizational culture will provide an intensive educational program on this “must have HR initiative.”  Lizz will select participants throughout the program and conduct pieces of a “Brand Scan” – live.  You will leave with a tool box full of:  tips, approaches and action steps that you can deploy immediately back in your organization.  This session is not for the shy, but rather for HR, talent management professionals and recruiters who want to share and learn about employment branding best-practices, quantitative diagnostic tools available and how to establish an authentic and congruent Employee Value Proposition (EVP). 

Half Day Options

Morning Option 1:
125 - Final Regs?

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Presented by Ouida Peterson, CONEXIS

3.75 General Recertification Credit Hours

NEW REGULATIONS!! Is your 125 Plan ready for the 1-1-2009 changes? That is the deadline - not the "start to work on it" date. It is the Plan Document that is critical.  In this highly engaging session, participants will be walked through a review of 125 Plans and will provide attendees with a check list to ensure that your plan is in compliance with the new regulations.

Morning Option 2:
Solving the Puzzle:  Bringing Visibility and Accountability

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Presented by Shane Yount, Competitive Solutions, Inc.

3.75 Strategic Recertification Credit Hours

To sustain a culture of accountability, an organization must create, document and audit business systems that support an accountability mindset.  Unfortunately, many organizations fail to view accountability as a key business process. Failure to design and deploy sustained processes often results in an organizaton continuing to operate in a blame mode that is perceived by the workforce as a lack of true commitment to the culture of accountability.  This presentation is dedicated to visible and auditable accountability systems essential to sustain business acumen and urgency.  By utilizing action registers in order to build trust, elevate performance expectations and ensure outcome driven meetings; this session will prepare the participant to appreciate the organizational payback from using accountability systems to create consistency and focus.  

Morning Option 3:

Emerging Trends in Human Resources
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Presented by Keith Greene, SPHR, Scarlet Fire Consulting

3.75 Strategic Recertification Credit Hours

The workplace is changing! The traditional relationship between the employer and employee continues to be impacted by the fluctuating economy, downsizing/rightsizing, and blurred career paths. The uncertainty of staffing levels has employers scrambling to retain their quality employees while seeking additional help. The demographics of the workforce are shifting, forcing us to re-think how we motivate and recognize our employees. What does the future hold? What competencies do HR professionals need to be embraced by business leaders as strategic partners? Take a look into the "crystal ball" at the emerging and evolving trends facing the workplace today...and tomorrow.

Afternoon Option 1:
Fundamentals of Employee Relations: A Practical Guide to Litigation-Free Management

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Presented by Michael J. Mirarchi, J.D., Mirarchi & Associates, Inc.

3.75 General Recertification Credit Hours

This fast-paced, highly interactive workshop provides situation specific advice for handling the major employment-related interactions that managers experience.  Learn how to educate and support your management team in avoiding legal challenges through effective and ethical employee relations practices that minimize corporate and personal liability.

Afternoon Option 2:
Strategic Planning for HR Professionals

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Presented by Deborah Avrin, SPHR, Management Skills Resource, Inc.

3.75 Strategic Recertification Credit Hours

Would you like to participate in strategic planning?  Not sure how to tie strategic planning to HR objectives?  In this interactive session, participants will complete sample steps of strategic planning and receive tools to take back to their organization.  

Afternoon Option 3:

Zero Sum Game:  IRS Audit Initiatives for Employee Plans

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Kathleen R. Barrow and Christopher Antone, Jackson Lewis LLP

3.75 General Recertification Credit Hours

Are you sometimes overwhelmed with the nuances of executive compensation and the IRS requirements for many executive compensation programs?  This presentation will address new laws, regulations and IRS guidance applicable to various types of common executive compensation arrangements.  Participants will discuss new penalty schemes applicable to certain executive compensation plans that the IRS determines are non-compliant or potentially abusive. 

Afternoon Option 4:
Ethical Issues in Human Resources
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Facilitated by Keith Greene, SPHR, Scarlet Fire Consulting

3.75 Strategic Recertification Credit Hours

The events at H-P, World.com, Boeing, Freddie Mac, Enron and Arthur Andersen have cast a sharp eye on the ethical practices in corporate America today. Doing the "right" thing as human resource professionals is sometimes easier said than done in today's corporate environment. For example, your company policy prohibits sharing any information on current and/or previous employees during a reference check. But what do you do if the caller is a close professional acquaintance? What if the employee is a personal friend? Or what if your company president asks you to make an "exception" to the policy for one of their professional acquaintances? During this highly interactive (and provocative) session, you'll learn about a framework in which to make decisions when facing ethical dilemmas. You'll also participate in group case-study discussions using "real-life" perplexing situations. And finally, learn what it means to be your organization's OTHER CEO (Chief Ethics Officer)!