Event: KronosWorks 2007 (annual user conference)

When: November 4-7, 2007

Where: The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

What: Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based Kronos says it "continues to hold the leadership position in time and attendance [systems], with tens of thousands of organizations using its solutions. Kronos’ product revenue growth is being fueled by increasing adoption of additional workforce management applications in the areas of scheduling, absence management, human resources and payroll, analytics and labor activities. … Kronos serves customers in more than 60 countries through its network of offices, subsidiaries and distributors. Widely recognized as a market and thought leader in managing the workforce, Kronos has unrivaled reach with more than 30 million people using a Kronos solution every day."

Conference info: For information about Kronos, go to www.kronos.com.

Day 1—Monday, November 5, 2007

Bang the drum slowly (but loudly): If I wasn’t awake when I walked into the theater this morning, I am now. KronosWorks 2007 kicks off the way so many other conferences are kicking off these days—with pounding drums and pulsating rock music as the Blue Man Group, a staple of the Las Vegas entertainment scene, goes through its paces. What separates the Blue Men from some other memorable drum-fueled conferences openers (see Day 1 at the 2006 WorldatWork conference in Anaheim) is that these guys are also known for their physical humor. This morning is no different, so it is a good way to kick things off.

Kronos is best known for its long tenure (30 years) in the time-and-attendance category, beginning as a time clock maker back in 1977. The company does a lot more than that today, of course, and its systems and workplace solutions are used by all manner of companies big and small, domestic and international.

In fact, Kronos just announced a 15 percent rise in revenue for fiscal 2007, growing to $662 million for the year. It’s a solid, successful company that is really breaking out of its U.S. roots and growing in a big way across the globe, serving businesses now in 60 countries. And, only solid successful companies are able (and willing) to kick off their user group meetings with top-flight Vegas talent like the Blue Man Group.

Keynote speaker, Day 1: Marcus Buckingham, well-known (and traveled) author and speaker, followed the Blue Man Group, and I’d love to say he fired up the crowd with a rip-roaring speech. He didn’t, but he also was a bit better than some of the other times I’ve heard him speak. I may not be the best person to critique his presentation, given that I have heard him talk on so many occasions (five times in two years). This presentation at Kronos was remarkably similar to one I heard him give in April 2006 at the HR Planning Society Global Conference in Tucson. Same charts, graphics and overall message, mostly, but I’m happy to say it was shorter and more focused than I remember the last time.

Buckingham’s message is a good one—"Build on your strengths and manage your weaknesses"—but as I’ve written before, this is the same message the late, great Peter Drucker preached for more than 60 years. Still, with Drucker gone, it’s good someone is pointing out that getting workers to focus on improving what they are not so good at is illogical and counterproductive. Buckingham’s new book, Go Put Your Strengths to Work, will tell you all about it, but I still prefer the classics. I’ll stick with the Drucker version, The Practice of Management.

The Vegas Effect: Conferences in Las Vegas seem to have a strange effect on people, and KronosWorks is no exception. Unlike other destinations where conference-goers have little to do besides listen to the speakers and attend the sessions, a conference held at a venue like the Venetian in Vegas has to compete with the siren song of the casino and nonstop gambling action just a short walk away. This was true of KronosWorks too, it seemed, although maybe it wasn’t the gaming that was getting people into the casino. Rather, it might’ve been the new Kronos system that was installed today behind the gaming tables in the Venetian’s cavernous casino. Not only does it track attendance and hours worked, but tips and tokens too.
—John Hollon