Tag: social media

  • HR2015 Photo Update: Day 2

    If you’ve been keeping up with ICG on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, you’ll know that through the rest of the week I’ll be attending the HR2015 Conference in Las Vegas.

    I have already spoken at my five sessions and was an expert at Ask-the-Experts. I look forward to a more relaxed couple of days at the conference. Check out some pictures from HR2015 Day 2:

     

    Check back later this week for more photos and updates from HR2015. And in the mean time, for more updates about the conference and ICG, check in with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

  • HR2015 Las Vegas | March 3-6 Recommended Schedule

    HR2015 is right around the corner and the Agenda Builder has been released. There are many options at each time slot and choosing can be difficult. Below is the recommended schedule we put together to get the most out of the conference.

    March 3, 2015

    9:00 AM – Tower Ballroom 2
    How moving your HR to the Cloud is like the game “Snakes and Ladders”
    Mike Ettling, SAP

    Keynote panel: Cloud: What, why, and how
    David Ludlow, SAP
    Roland Cloutier, ADP
    Tony Coyle, Capgemini

    11:15 AM – Raphael 3
    Field-tested strategies to avoid or overcome the most common and costly payroll and time-related challenges
    Mike Timm, Integrated Consulting Group

    1:30 PM – Tower Ballroom 8
    Case study: Hindsight is 20/20: A look back at United Launch Alliance’s initial SAP payroll and time installation – What they would have done differently if they knew then what they know now!
    Linda Crosby, United Launch Alliance
    Marty Schmoker, United Launch Alliance

    3:00 PM – Tower Ballroom 8
    Latest enhancements in SAP ERP HCM self-services: HR Renewal, SAP Fiori, and SAPUI5
    Jeremy Masters, Worklogix

    4:30 PM – Raphael 3
    Integrating payroll with accounting (FI/CO) and benefits: Configuration guidelines and best practices to reduce complexity
    Mike Timm, Integrated Consulting Group

     

    March 4, 2014

    8:30 AM – Da Vinci 3
    Field-tested techniques to ensure an effective compensation model
    Jeremy Masters, Worklogix

    10:30 AM – Tower Ballroom 8
    An A-to-Z guide to streamlining HR processes across desktop and mobile devices with SAP Fiori
    Martin Gillet, Cogilius bvba

    1:00 PM – Raphael 3
    Managing payroll claims, garnishments, month-end accruals, and more: Lessons from the trenches
    Mike Timm, Integrated Consulting Group

    2:30 PM – Tower Ballroom 8
    Panel discussion: Payroll Q&A with SAP customers and experts
    Moderator: Mike Timm, Integrated Consulting Group
    Panelists: Steve Bogner, Insight Consulting Partners; Linda Crosby, United Launch Alliance; Eric Sauerhoefer-Thompson, The Walt Disney Company

    4:45 PM – Tower Ballroom 8
    A comprehensive guide to US taxes and their impact on payroll operations
    Mike Timm, Integrated Consulting Group

     

    March 5, 2015

    8:30 AM – Da Vinci 3
    Advanced customizations for savings plans with SAP
    Clay Molinari, C&C Savant

    10:30 AM – Tower Ballroom 8
    Panel discussion: Answers to FAQs about SuccessFactors Employee Central
    Moderator: Steve Bogner, Insight Consulting Partners
    Panelists: Jyoti Sharma, HRIZONS; Becky Murray, hyperCision; Luke Marson, Hula Partners; Joachim Foerderer, SAP SE

    1:00 PM – Raphael 1
    Payroll and benefits integration exposed
    Clay Molinari, C&C Savant

    3:00 PM – Da Vinci 2
    Case study: Lessons learned from HR Focal Point’s implementation of Employee Central Payroll
    Graham Wong, HR Focal Point

    4:30 PM – Raphael 3
    Introducing the SAP Payroll control center add-on: Lessons for enhancing payroll operations with the real-time capabilities of SAP HANA
    Ralf Wagner, SAP SE

     

    March 6, 2015

    8:30 AM – Raphael 1
    HR transformation: Options, considerations, and benefits
    Martin Gillet, Cogilius bvba
    10:00 AM – Raphael 3
    Tackling taxability setup and BSI TaxFactory 10.0
    Aditya Aggarwal, Terra Information Group11:30 AM – Da Vinci 2
    SAP and Concur travel solutions: An overview
    Hendrik Vordenbaeumen, SAP SE

    Here at Integrated Consulting Group, we specialize in the design, development, and customization of SAP Human Capital Management business software for leading edge North American companies with global reach. Have any questions about SAP? Feel free to contact us via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn.

  • How Social Media Can Enhance Your Seminar Experience

    smartphoneDuring the month of September, we talked a lot about getting the most out of your seminar experience. This week, we will talk about how to use social media during a seminar and how it can improve your seminar experience.

    For starters, social media has become a great way to share the notes you take during presentations. If you don’t have a twitter set up yet, take some time before attending the seminar to do so. Familiarize yourself with the site so that you are comfortable using it before the seminar begins.

    Still on the fence about social media? Let’s take a look at why it’s so important for your seminar experience. Social media is also a good way to:

    Participate. Did you like a particular comment that a presenter made? Tweet it. Maybe you took a picture with someone of interest: tweet that too. Share what you think of a particular speaker, the venue, the schedule, or a discussion panel. Did someone tweet out a tip that you’d never thought of? Retweet it.

    Network. There isn’t a better way to find like-minded people who can help you learn about different topics that will better your understanding and therefore, your business. You will make connections, and even if the new friends you make live hundreds of miles away, you can still see what they are talking about and keep track of trends.

    Ask questions. Some seminars don’t have Q&A sessions after a presentation, so many questions that attendees want to ask go unanswered. Most seminars have hashtags so that attendees can tweet their questions; this way, speakers, other attendees, and experts can weigh in on your questions.

    Get the most out of your seminar. As much as you can try to plan out your seminar, as to who you will see present or what topics you want to learn about, chances are there will be multiple presentations at the same time that peak your interest. With social media, you can share your notes on a presentation and also see what others are saying about presentations you are unable to attend. You pick up information from sessions you couldn’t attend, and see what sparked discussions.

    Remember, on October 6-8 a seminar will be held in Philadelphia for optimizing payroll in SAP. Keep up with us before, during, and after the seminar by following us on twitter: @MikeTimmSAP and @SAPinsiderHR. Also, search for the hashtag “payrollseminar” to see what others are saying about the seminar.

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    photo credit: Ed Yourdon via photopin cc

  • Using YouTube for Your Business

    youtube on an ipadWith the impact of Facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn on the world of business, we have forgotten about a major component that more and more businesses are using to build their clientele: YouTube.

    More than 1 billion users visit YouTube each month, and YouTube reaches more United States adults ages 18-34 than any cable network. Watching videos is growing in popularity, and many people would rather watch a video instead of reading a large chunk of information. In order to adapt to the changes in how clients receive their information, learning how YouTube can help your business is pertinent to your success.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind when thinking of using YouTube for your business:

    Get your message to a wider audience: It’s so easy to share a video. If you watch something that’s interesting, you’ll send the video onto a friend or share it on your Facebook wall. If your friends find it as interesting as you did, they will probably share it, too. Pretty soon, your video is being seen by a wide audience. Videos are much easier to syndicate via social media, industry websites, and brand partnerships.

    Show your personality: It’s nice to see the person or people behind a business, and it helps your clientele form a deeper connection with your business. You will be more than just words on a paper; you’ll be a three dimensional person that they can relate to.

    Show your skills: Demonstrate what you know in your videos, and let your clients and future clients see that you are an expert in your field. Do you sell products? Create a video that shows how to use them. Do you have some frequently asked questions from your clients? Show them the answer in a video by using screen shots and offering tutorials.

    YouTube videos pair well with a blog: We’ve discussed before the importance of a blog. By adding video to your posts, you can present your business visually instead of with just written text.

    Gigaom has an excellent list of ways to use YouTube for your business, and it’s worth checking out for more ideas on how to start and keep your YouTube channel going.

    Here at Integrated Consulting Group, we specialize in the design, development, and customization of SAP Human Capital Management business software for leading edge North American companies with global reach. Have any questions about SAP? Feel free to contact us via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you.

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    photo credit: Yutaka Tsutano via photopin cc

  • Facebook Privacy and Networking: How-To

    Facebook home page logoIf you have a Facebook timeline, you might have noticed recently that the advertisements on your homepage have been suggestions based on what you have been looking at on other sites. It’s a bit creepy, right? This isn’t the first time that Facebook has been accused of taking away people’s privacy.

    It’s scary to think that your personal information is being compromised. If you have a problem with your privacy being invaded, it seems like the smartest thing to do is delete your Facebook. But what if you are using Facebook to network?

    Hopefully, the business you are interviewing with will make their hiring decision based on your skills, knowledge, and potential fit within the business. However, some companies like to look at social media sites to see who you are outside of work.

    If you choose to network using your Facebook account, consider the following:

    • Keep it professional: Check your Facebook for red flags that potential employees might see when looking at your timeline. Look through your photos, videos, and comments to make sure you look professional. Ask yourself–what do I want my future employee to see? Delete what you don’t want them to see, and make sure in the future to avoid posting that content altogether.
    • Make your posts relevant: Post comments, links, and share articles that are relevant to your interests and potential jobs. Engage with others who are talking about relevant issues in your area of expertise. Share your knowledge.
    • Consider your networking options: Facebook is known more for social networking, but professional networking sites like LinkedIn exist and might be a better fit for your networking.
    • Change your privacy settings: As said above, Facebook’s privacy is lacking, but you should still make use of the privacy settings that Facebook does have. You can choose to not let the public see your tagged photos and posts on your timeline. You can also make your entire profile unsearchable. If you choose to do this, you will have to find and add potential employees as friends to connect and network.

    Social media sites are useful for networking and can help you keep on top of trends and news, can help you find jobs and internships, and allow you to expand your network. Just keep an eye on your privacy.

    For those of you who use Facebook (and other social media sites) to network, what are your thoughts on these privacy issues?  Something you’d like to add? Feel free to contact us via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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    photo credit: MoneyBlogNewz via photopin cc

  • 3 Takeaways from Last Week’s Shutterfly Mishap

    shutterfly photo book

    A few months back, we discussed how social media has a large number of uses in HR, from finding new recruits to managing and branding your company. What we didn’t mention then was how social media can help in crisis management.

    A few weeks ago, Shutterfly (a company who helps its customers turn photos into photo books, stationery, and countless other gifts) accidentally sent out an email to many of its customers congratulating them on their new arrivals. The problem was that a majority of the customers hadn’t just had babies.

    Some customers took to social media sites and made light of the situation by asking if Shutterfly knew something that they didn’t; many others were offended.

    Let’s take a look at how Shutterfly responded and what we can learn from their crisis management via social media:

    • Respond ASAP: One of the nicest things about social media is that it is a platform that gets information to customers right away. Shutterfly chose to respond quickly and efficiently by apologizing through company tweets, Facebook comments, and an email.
    • Admit to your mistake: People like receiving an apology, and when a company admits to a mistake, customers will be more likely to understand and forgive. It’s important to view mistakes and negative comments as an opportunity to create a relationship, and not a bad mark on your brand.
    • Let your customers know that you care: Shutterfly took a large chunk of time out of their day replying to customers’ individual tweets. They didn’t ignore their customers’ feelings and messages, and instead, met them head on.

    A mistake like Shutterfly’s is forgettable and forgivable, especially when handled as responsibly as it was. It wasn’t huge compared to company breeches in security or cyber attacks (take for instance, this past week’s attack on EBay), but it was a mistake nonetheless that warranted an apology.

    These tips are important to consider whenever an error is made, whether online or in-person. Social media may be a strange world to some people, but it’s also given businesses new opportunities to reach out to customers and make things right. Your co-workers and clients deserve an apology when a mistake has been made. It is easier for a mistake to be forgiven and moved past when it is acknowledged.

    Humans make errors—it’s how we respond to our mistakes that shows our clients what kind of person (and business) we are.

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    photo credit: simon.hucko via photopin cc

  • Is “Unplugging” Right for Your Business?

    Outlet plug

    In recent years, there’s been an increase in people speaking out against certain types of technology and our dependency on the Internet, smart phones, social media, and iPads (to name a few). In March, there’s even a National Day of Unplugging that asks people to pledge against using their phones, social media, and the Internet for twenty-four hours.

    In a recent article published on the New Yorker’s website, Casey N. Cep wonders how the digital age turned into the age of technological anxiety. Perhaps the problem with the idea of unplugging is that we are going about it in the wrong way.

    Spending a weekend, a day, or even a few hours away from technology might be a good way to rejuvenate ourselves. It’s possible that unplugging can also help us to embrace technology for its endless benefits. When we force ourselves to stay away from technology, we are also forced to see how our lives are changed (for better, for worse) by technology.

    But what about a business? Maybe it’s harder for a business to unplug. It might even be dangerous to be out of contact with clients, but an article from Forbes gives five reasons why it might be beneficial to unplug after a workday. As stated in the article, unplugging is a great way to mentally recover and get ready for the next day.

    Unplugging doesn’t have to mean disregarding your job duties. It can be something as simple as putting the phone down during dinner or limiting your social media checks throughout the day.

    It all comes down to balance.

    It’s important to remember that technology was invented to help us connect. It has the power to help us maneuver our busy lives and alleviate certain pressures of the business world, and it’s all at our fingertips. Whether or not you unplug is up to you, but there’s certainly something to be said about urging people within your business to be away from technology every once in a while.

    Here at Integrated Consulting Group, we specialize in the design, development, and customization of SAP Human Capital Management business software for leading edge North American companies with global reach. Have any questions about SAP? Feel free to contact us via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you.

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    photo credit: One Tree Hill Studios via photopin cc

  • How a Blog Can Make Your Business Better

    typing on a keyboardIn February, we talked about how HR can effectively use social media. A blog is an extension of social media, and in many ways can do more for your business than what Facebook or Twitter alone can. Blogging can be a great tool for HR departments, especially when trying to drive potential clients to your website.

    Here are a few examples of how a blog can be a great addition to your business:

    • Accountability: In order to write an efficient business blog, you have to stay active and up-to-date with technology and news happening in your industry. By knowing what is going on in the world of your business and your industry, it becomes easier to answer any client questions that come your way.
    • Connection: Blogging brings an audience, some that are familiar with your business, and some that aren’t. When a blog is posted, it can be shared on multiple social media sites, which exposes your business to people that might not have found your website otherwise. Building a connection between your business and potential clients is one of the most important relationships you can establish.
    • Traffic: When it comes to blogging, one of the most important things to keep in mind is how it can work to bring new visitors to your site. Blogs generate buzz, especially when done correctly. And after reading an excellent blog post, many people will click around your website to other pages that establish your business and let the audience know what your company has to offer.

    Truthfully, a post might be the easiest way to get a potential client to your website. We don’t mean to say that blogging is easy; it’s hard work, but once you’ve established your blog, your content can bring countless visitors to your site when executed correctly.

    A blog is a great first step in getting your business noticed. Is your business interested in starting a blog for your business, but you aren’t sure how? Check out Hubspot’s article on how to write an effective blog post.

    At Integrated Consulting Group, we specialize in the design, development, and customization of SAP Human Capital Management business software for leading edge North American companies with global reach. We believe in an all-encompassing approach, and if you have any questions about SAP HCM or Human Resources, feel free to contact us via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you.

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    photo credit: striatic via photopin cc

  • 4 Ways for HR to Use Social Media

    4 Ways for HR to Use Social Media

    While SAP HCM represents an incredible opportunity for HR departments to manage their workforce when used correctly, there are other tools and strategies that HR can deploy for recruiting, branding, and even management.

    In today’s day and age, social media is a great tool across all of those aforementioned categories. From recruiting new employees to managing current ones, social media has a surprisingly large number of uses in HR.

    If you’re struggling to find ways to effectively use social media, don’t worry. See below for a few of our suggestions about ways for HR to use social media to better their organization:

    • Use big platforms for employer branding. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great for showcasing current employees and talking about your company culture. By using them to post photos around the office, discuss stories about your company’s accomplishments, and showcasing the ‘about me’ side of your company, you can build a strong following of recruits interested in your company, and help remind current employees why they love working within your organization.
    • Find new recruits–even if they’re not currently looking. Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever for HR to find potential recruits. If you know what kind of recruits you’re looking for, social media search tools offer you the opportunity to follow relevant people based on their social profiles and public work experience–even if they’re not looking. And if they are looking, social media is an absolutely incredible recruiting tool. Both because of positive employer branding opportunities and the powerful connective capabilities it offers, social media is fantastic for finding new employees.
    • Use games and gamification to help retain current employees. While this tactic is used primarily by a few forward-thinking companies, gamification, or “using video-game techniques… to make your HR connections more interactive” is great for employee retention and satisfaction. Whether for helping employees get in shape, or for fostering teamwork and peer recognition, HR departments can use games to produce measurable results when combined with traditional recognition and rewards.
    • Manage your employees’ personal use of social media. Finally, although this is less of a ‘use’ than it is management, all companies should be prepared for the potential challenges that social media can bring. That means planning in advance for any situations that could arise from the new connectedness that social media offers. In setting up a company policy for social media, individual members of HR may want to think about getting active themselves to set an example for other employees about the correct use of social media. That isn’t an all-encompassing solution, but is certainly a step in the right direction.

    HR departments today are tasked with managing employees in an increasingly connected world–no small task, especially with social media thrown into the mix. Even so, the best way for HR to stay on top of employee management moving into the future is to embrace social media. These methods discussed here are only the beginning of an effective social media strategy for HR, but should provide a good start for companies looking to dive into the mix.

    Would you like to learn more about how ICG’s SAP HCM solutions, or how we can help your entire business–HR included–run more efficiently? Let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn–we’d love to hear from you and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

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    photo credit: Johan Larsson via photopin cc