On August 23, over 100 HR leaders from Kentucky, Indiana and points between and beyond, converged upon the Clark History Museum in Frankfort, Kentucky, to participate in a day-long seminar co-sponsored by Louisville SHRM and Kentucky SHRM, featuring the keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Stephenson. The subject of the seminar – Social Capital Analysis (SCA) – devines and quantifies the relationships between people in organizations and communities. Dr. Stephenson is one of the world’s foremost experts on SCA and has pioneered her process and training techniques with over 500 organizations in the US and abroad.
By definition, social networks are held together by trust, not by traditional hierarchy or technology. Dr. Stephenson shared the importance of mapping and measuring social capital networks to better manage human resources, which will likely be the cutting edge for HR leadership in this century. Dr. Stephenson explained how we think we know – but don’t know – who and where the key trusted connectors are in any culture and explained the polarity of hierarchy versus networks.
A panel discussion, led by licensees who work very closely with Dr. Stephenson and have utilized her SCA process, outlined how the principles of SCA are applicable to everyday work environments.
Post-seminar comments from participants clearly indicate the growing interest in Social Capital Analysis and a desire to broaden their understanding of its impact on succession planning, onboarding of new hires, organization and cultural changes, leadership development and coaching and workforce planning, to name a few.
“I am looking forward to receiving information about the training and becoming more familiar with this fascinating research,” said one participant.
“I have not been so intrigued by anything as your research in quite some time. The practical applications in a business setting are so numerous, it is simply mind-numbing. I am so looking forward to receiving the training so I can apply your work inside of my organization,” wrote another.
“…I also forwarded information to my Manager for her to consider this process as another ‘tool’ in our talent management efforts,” said another.
Emcee for the event, Lyle S. Hanna, President of Hanna Resource Group in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, is a strong proponent and advocate of SCA and the positive impact it will have on HR. If you’re interested in learning more about Social Capital Analysis contact Lyle at lyle@hannaresource.com or Cathy Fyock, Vice President of Strategic Planning for Hanna Resource Group, at cathy@hannaresource.com.
