The HR Network
A new business initiative from Steve Walker & Associates
Most companies are faced with difficult decisions during every phase of their inception, growth and development. Whatever the stage of our portfolio companies, we strive to offer the benefit of concise business advice and access to a network of professionals we have relationships with throughout the region.
To that end, when we were asked about networking organizations that were available to human resources professionals, we felt it would be valuable to our portfolio companies - and other similar companies - to design a forum that addresses issues predominant in emerging, venture-backed, high technology companies. In December, 2000 the human resources professionals at Steve Walker & Associates founded the HR Network to focus on the HR issues from the unique perspective of an emerging growth company.
- The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at rotating venues in Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland.
- Our agenda normally features a speaker who discusses topics relevant to the group. Previous topics have included Creating Corporate
Culture, The American University Internship Program, and Online Benefits.
- Each meeting also includes time for a "burning issues" session where members of the group freely discuss HR issues and ideas
such as mergers & acquisitions, benefit purchasing coalitions, independent contractor status information, and reductions-in-force.
- The group also freely shares resumes and seminar information via an email list serve.
General criteria for becoming a member of the group include: 1. Individuals must work for emerging high technology companies in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan areas; 2. While most companies are start-ups, they are in various growth stages and many are venture-backed.
We currently have over 70 members representing over 61 high technology companies. If you are interested in joining the next HR Network meeting, please contact us at plans@walkerventures.com.
