Remember Me

By Chris Schneider, Director, Strategic Partnerships
Published August 13, 2024

I think it was the movie Toy Story, released when our kids were little, that made me realize entertainment could serve a diverse audience. Our kids didn’t get all the humor, but we did as parents, and the creators knew if they wanted a hit, there needed to be a connection with parents and children alike. The animation was truly groundbreaking at the time, but the real innovation was the commitment to connecting with everyone on a human level. In many of the Pixar movies, some heavy topics addressed, such as growing up, leaving home, the importance of friendship, and even dealing with grief.  

Case in point: I, a 50-something, normally stoic, suburban dad was brought to tears watching the movie Coco during the scene when it is revealed that the grandmother is little Coco singing “Remember Me.” I have aging parents who have health challenges, and well, the heavy notions of our temporary fragile existence, the meaning of life, and the importance of remembrance of those gone before us stirred something deep in me. Time flies, but to paraphrase a David Byrne lyric, life is both “finite and alright.” 

I’ve been at HR Source for better than 20 years and it’s been a hoot. I’m constantly challenged to think creatively, act responsively to a growing membership, and find ways to meaningfully connect with the people who practice HR on behalf of their employers. We’ve grown not through brute force or acquisition, but through partnership and the commitment to our brand to be an invaluable ally to employers. HR Source is also a great deal. Our value proposition includes access to staff attorneys in a highly regulated state, useful local compensation surveys, innovative training opportunities, and many tools to keep our members competitive and compliant, not to mention an HR Hotline second-to-none in its responsiveness and utility. 

While I am not ready to sign off yet from this successful career, I have been circumspect about one day leaving it all behind. Call it a mid-life crisis, but in strategic planning and succession discussions, it makes sense to imagine how you will be remembered when it comes time to provide a deliberate handoff. After all, what would happen if you were accidentally run over by a lottery ticket? Anything can happen and usually does. 

Our leadership team has been evaluating the potential issues related to staffing, the continuity of the member experience, and our enduring brand in the marketplace. We’re about 90% people and 10% computers, websites, and pixie dust, and though we’re not making widgets, all have benefited from a long-tenured, dedicated staff who are focused on delivering on our mission by providing a valuable member experience. Perhaps we should all endeavor to work forever, or rather, be prepared to set down this life’s work and consider that we’re simply stewards of a movement that has endured for more than 125 years. 

Now I’m getting all misty again. What is your lottery accident emergency preparedness plan?