Demanding Transparency - Workology

Demanding Transparency - Workology Demanding Transparency I used to believe in something I called controlled transparency.  Except I dont think any message can be controlled.  Only transparency is transparent.  The rest is fake, and in the end it is out of our control unless we choose to be completely honest with ourselves, our customers, and those around us. Having spent nearly 13 years in the HR, Human Capital, Recruiting spaces, I like to think I understand the industrys ebbs and flows.  Except that Im relatively new in the business services and vendor context.  What most workplace practitioners dont know is that anything and everything in this industry is bought.  Meaning that casual mentions in white papers, product referrals and recommendations, and coveted best HR vendor lists come at a price.  Either you are on the receiving end of said deal or you are paying the expert for the connection. Now some might call this capitalism at its best, and I absolutely agree.  Businesses are in the business of making money and generating revenue.  Except that the end-user is left unaware.  Unaware of the side deals and bought recognition even exists.  No one talks about this.  I think its part of some silent code.  Until me. I guess it was about the fourth phone call last month offering me an opportunity to be guaranteed 15 meetings with senior level decision-making HR executives for the bargain price of $20,000 that I had enough.  The sales person was tough.  When I said no, Ive heard this story before, she asked me why I didnt place a value on talking directly to the decision maker.  And so I countered with, I get paid to speak at events like yours.  Are you not placing any value on me and my expertise?  I hung up. Every single industry best list or recommendation in this industry is self-serving filling their pocketbooks instead of really solving the bigger problems.  I would be lying if I said that people havent approached me asking to be listed as a recommended resource on my blog.  I politely declined.  I only want to work with quality vendors who have good products and not just a heavy pocketbook.  In many ways, thats the problem with the entire industry.  There are only a few who use this approach like me.  And others treat me with disbelief and  skepticism.  Asking if this girl is really for real?  Yup, its true. Everyone keeps their associations, affiliations, and partnerships a secret, and they dont disclose to their target audience the facts.  I think many have good intensions, but ask your HR consultant the next time what their referral bonus for the product they recommend or if they sit on the vendors advisory board? Even in our tiny  microcosm  of a blogosphere I see this happening.  Many HR bloggers were compensated over these last 12 months traveling to events, conferences, and receiving cash to cover their expenses with no mention of a relationship or disclosure anywhere in their blogs.  How can you, the reader to know when they dont provide the information needed to make an informed decision?  In the United States, bloggers and the companys that fund said bloggers are required per the FTC to disclose paid relationships when they are compensated for articles or receive free product for reviews.  Except that most dont.  I do. There are no governing laws for bloggers in our space outside of the US.  The majority of these product reviews are paid, and no one voluntary chooses to disclose.  And so their bank accounts grow fatter while you think you are getting unsolicited advice from your friendly blogging expert.  Dont be so  naive. Ive always been upfront and chosen to disclose in blog posts where I was compensated in some way for product reviews using my handy dandy FTC disclosure.   Youll see the disclosure also at the bottom of paid product reviews or when I received free product or travel to attend like my HR Product Reviews.  Well, its time I take things a step further.  Over the next few weeks, I will be adding a page to my website listing my current clients, board seats, and affiliations who work in the HR vendor and services space.  You can see directly who pays my bills so you can really make the best informed decision.  Am I credible?  Should you believe what I say? And do I sell my soul for $50 bucks and a free trip to Europe? Demanding Transparency For the rest of us in the space, Im demanding transparency. . . I hope you do the same with your HR consultants, thoughts leaders, analysts, and service providers too. . . Demand transparency.