Double professional membership for just $299 AUD* for 12 months

1 April 2011

A brave move onto the world stage.

In a bold bid to generate more members and to raise their status on the global HR scene, the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) have announced that the first 200 people to call either the CIPD or the SHRM and ask for a unique “Talent Fuel number” will be provided with free full membership for 12 months of either the CIPD or the SHRM as well as the AHRI.

Serge Sardo FAHRI

Serge Sardo FAHRI

Earlier today Serge Sardo, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of AHRI said, “The world is moving and increasingly Australians are finding themselves at the centre of innovations and progress. Our heritage of being so far from both the US and EU has meant that we have to develop best in class. Being 11 hours ahead of the UK gives us a unique competitive advantage, along with our world renound work ethic. It is with this in mind that we are proud to launch this initiative to grow the AHRImembership on an international stage.”

Peter Wilson

The project is backed by Peter Wilson, National President of the Australian Human Resource Institute. He is also Chairman of Yarra Valley Water Limited and a non-executive Director on the Board of the World Federation of People Management Associations, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Who said “This is an exciting time for global HR and in particular what AHRI can bring to competent professionals world wide”

Ulrich and Brockbank research study

It is believed that the idea of this approach was on the back of a current global research study looking at Global HR Competency Study, led by Dave Ulrich and Wayne Brockbank.

The chance to compare membership offers – live – side by side

Sardo went on to explain the idea that by paying for international members to have free membership of the CIPD for UK professionals and SHRM for Americans as well as the AHRI membership package meant that both groups would be able to do a like-for-like comparison of services. “with our level of value add members I am sure will opt to stay with us in the long term” he said.

His strategy is simple, by encouraging up to 200 people to be joint members, this immediately increases the membership base by a significant percentage. He is also relying on word of mouth for additional people to join this rapidly growing network.

It’s all digital future

With a significant investment in social media and on-line tools the AHRI believe they can beat the SHRM & CIPD as they both currently rely on bricks and mortar, staff and an archaic branch membership system. “Our approach to using special interest groups and the harnessing of social media tools will take the HR world by storm” he said. Judging by the rapid take up of HR professionals in professional networks like LinkedIn that’s is no surprise to industry insiders.

Jackie Orme the current CIPD’s CEO was unavailable for comment, and Hank Jackson, Interim President/CEO Society for Human Resource Management said in his February communication “Message from the SHRM Interim CEO & President” that their Transparency Group was looking into moves from the AHRI, but due to the size and scope differential did not think it would be  a significant impact.

How do you get your free membership?

According to the AHRI press release all you need to do is phone the appropriate body (numbers below), and ask for the “Talent Fuel number”. Then email the AHRI membership team with this and they will contact you with details on how to submit your payment for the low AHRI membership fee.

Call the SHRM on: Phone US Only: +1-703-548-3440
Call the CIPD membership team on: +44 (0) 20 8612 6242

Ask for the “Talent Fuel number”

Then

Email the Talent Fuel number via the email address on the AHRI contact page

NOTE – The initial press release said that this offer is both time  and volume sensitive (the cut-off time is 12pm local time) for memberships to be valid. We would love to hear from the lucky few, so if you get your double membership before we do (when the switch boards in the UK open at 9am BST) please share your experiences. We will be monitoring this experiment with interest.

* Currency – the current rate for joining the AHRI is $330 AUD Inc GST,  or £212 GBP or $340 USD.  (exchange rates as at 1 April 2011) International members will pay just $299 AUD

Current CIPD membership rate is £125 GBP
Current SHRM rates are $180 USD

DID YOU FALL FOR THIS APRIL FOOL ARTICLE?