Advertisement

Ignite HR 2014: How Do You Know It’s “Change?”

Jun 23, 2014
This article is part of a series called ERE Media Conferences.

I’m surprised more events haven’t embraced the Ignite HR format.

Longtime (OK, since we launched four years ago) TLNT readers know that I have written about Ignite HR before, but for all the conferences I’ve attended, only HR Reinvention in Omaha, which was held last month, features this unique and fascinating presentation format.

In fact, some say that Ignite HR is ALL about its structured presentation, and that content gets lost with that kind of focus.

“A force for raising the collective IQ”

There may be some truth in that, but I’ve found that those who can master the format — speakers get only five (5) minutes, 20 slides and exactly 15 seconds per slide — usually deliver a sharp, tightly delivered, and sometimes, memorable presentation.

Here’s what the HR Reinvention website said about the Ignite HR format when they first started utilizing it:

Fast-paced, fun, thought-provoking, social, local, global — Ignite is all of these and more. Basically, Ignite is a series of high-energy, 5-minute talks by people who have an idea — and the guts to get onstage and share it with the world. Ignite is a force for raising the collective IQ and for building connections. And, due to the marvel of digital video and the Internet, the archived videos of Ignite talks can share an individual’s knowledge and passion with the world.

Imagine that you’re in front of an audience about to present a 5-minute talk on the thing you’re most passionate about. You’ve brought 20 slides, which advance every 15 seconds whether you’re ready or not. You have a few last-minute butterflies, but off you go — and the crowd loves it. Welcome to Ignite.”

Video No. 1: How Do You Know It’s “Change?”

The 2014 HR Reinvention conference included seven (7) Ignite HR presentations that were each in some way related to the theme of “Be the CHANGE.”

TLNT was the media sponsor for HR Reinvention 2014, and one of the benefits of that is that we get to feature the Ignite HR  presentations here on TLNT this week and next. Please dig in, take a look, and decide what you think about them for yourself.

Today’s first video is the presentation by Mike Wagner, CEO of the White Rabbit Group, a marketing company that specializes in branding. His presentation — How Do You Know It’s “Change?” —  gives you a great look at how an Ignite HR presentation works when a speaker is really comfortable the format.

This article is part of a series called ERE Media Conferences.