You know what? I like gifts. Especially this time of year.
And Social Media has been the gift that keeps on giving – all year this year 
for me. It has enabled me to connect with some pretty inspiring people in 2010. Through Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn and my blog, www.chinagorman.com, I’ve “met” hundreds of smart, interesting and committed HR professionals. I count myself one lucky gal.
The real gift, though, is taking these relationships beyond the social media channel. Talking with people on the phone – or, better yet, meeting face-to-face. And I got to do that with some pretty special people this year. People that I now count as friends not just contacts. People with whom I have a real relationship. People who have provided support, information, wise counsel and friendship. The real gift.
These are the folks I connected with face-to-face in 2010 for the first time and who have inspired me:
- Steve Boese Genius behind HR Happy Hour
- Susan Burns “They were people before they were resumes.”
- Matt Charney Social media maven
- Joni Doolin Business intel + people metrics = brilliance
- Joe Gerstandt “Fly your freak flag proudly”
- Paul Hebert Neo Thought generator
- Maren Hogan Community manager to the HR stars
- Chris Hoyt Pepsi’s secret recruitment weapon
- Charlie Judy Brave HR pro who speaks the truth
- Jason Lauritsen Epitome of walking the talk
- Trish McFarlane Role model for HR pros. In every way.
- Jessica Miller-Merrell Trail blazer in the world of HR and social media
- Shauna Moerke Real genius behind HR Happy Hour
- Jamie Naughton A CHRO or a CEO in 10 years: her choice
- Jason Seiden Teaching us we should all fail spectacularly
- John Sumser Ranker of influence and predictor of disruption
- William Tincup The real deal. In every category.
- Sarah White “Social media is not real.”
Am I rich, or what?
chinagorman.com 
Great post – I just found your blog and I love it!
China, what a great list! Thanks for always giving back to the HR and recruiting communities, online and in person. Here’s to a marvelous 2011. 🙂
And the same to you, Jenny! I forgot to call you out in the post! Bad on me. It was so great to meet you at HRFL at the TweetUp. Let’s stay in touch.
wow, thank you for the kind words and the wonderful company… the world is smarter with you in it… i can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2011…
Highlight of my year was sitting down with you at HRFL at the Voice of HR booth. Thanks for your personal generosity to me. Happy New Year to you and your precious family.
China, I think we are the one richer for knowing you. It was great to continute to develop our friendship over the last few years and I look forward to it growing in the future. Here’s to working with you in 2011.
Thanks, John. And I’m thrilled to be keynoting at the Illinois SHRM State Conference in 2011 thanks to you. Hope to see you IRL soon. Happy New Year.
Thanks so much China – one of my personal highlights of 2010 was getting the chance to meet you in person. Thanks for all the help and support in 2010. Here’s to an even better 2011!
Looking forward to another stellar year for HR Happy Hour. Keep up the great work!
Thanks China, it was truly an honor to meet you this year as well 🙂 Merry Christmas!
And Happy New Year to you!
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