A few weeks ago, my shower started backing up. Not really enjoying showering in ankle deep water, I tried snaking the drain. After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally caved and called a plumber.

Actually, I called two plumbers: Gem Plumbing, who is pretty much ubiquitous for plumber in Rhode Island (where I’m originally from), and another big-name plumbing company, who for the sake of this post, I’ll call PlumbGood (which is not their actual name, so my apologies if this is the name of your business).

Both companies are comparably priced, and the quality of their work is equally good. So why would anyone choose one of these companies over the other?

What sets Gem apart is their superior customer service. And that’s driven by their HR programs.

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Does your organization offer flexible work arrangements?

Career Life Connection is a great website that helps connect businesses who offer flexible work arrangements with talented job seekers who want them. The company was founded by Leanne Chase, who understands first-hand how freeing your people to focus on their work (and not on their hours) can unleash their talent and productivity.

If you offer flexible work-arrangements, check out the site.

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A couple of weeks ago, I asked you what it means to be an HR Renegade. There was a lot of great discussion around the movement to revolutionize human resources.

Your insights are helping to shape the revolution. Here are the principles of the movement:

1. Don’t just motivate. Inspire.
2. Employees are people (not resources).
3. Embrace innovation and learning.
4. Work is something you do (not somewhere you go).
5. Be open. Be honest. Be transparent.
6. Use your employees as guinea pigs (and other data methods).
7. Be a rockstar!

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be posting about each of these principles in a bit more detail. What do you think?

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This morning on the way to work, I passed a truck that had giant lettering on the back. It said,

Our most valuable resource sits 63 feet ahead.

As I passed the truck, it had written on the side in those same giant letters,

Follow our driver’s lead. Join our team.

I thought that was pretty cool.

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It seems counter-intuitive, but limiting yourself can actually increase your productivity and innovation. Mark McGuiness of Lateral Action has an awesome article on how thinking inside the box can increase your creativity.

To underscore the point, Mark walks you through a short exercise where you’re provided an increasing set of limitations. Head over there, try it out for yourself, and see what you learn. (It’s ok – I’ll wait)

Welcome back! Does this give you any insight into how you develop HR programs? As an HR pro, I’ve often been frustrated with the limitations that many organizations put on HR that other departments (like Sales) don’t always have to deal with: smaller staff, smaller budgets, less strategic involvement.

In a way, these limitations may be a blessing in disguise. They free you to be more creative and innovative about the programs you create and implement.

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Image by Woodley Wonderworks

Every year on Earth Day, companies talk about saving the planet. They talk about how they’re saving the planet through recycling initiatives, low-energy lighting and waste-reducing production methods. They talk about how employees can help by shutting off their computers at night and putting recyclables in the appropriate bins.

If you really care about Earth Day, you should consider telling your employees to stay home.

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A few weeks ago, Frank Roche from Know HR posted a list of 10 Ways to Be Bold in HR Today. It’s a great list.

Over on the Renegade HR Facebook Page, I asked members what they thought HR pros could start doing right now to be better at their job. I got back some great answers.

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