New Delhi: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management concluded its 5th Annual conference & exposition in New Delhi on 30 September 2016. The two-day conference and exposition witnessed the presence of over 1000+ delegates, including HR professionals, corporate leaders and over 90 speakers and acclaimed thought leaders from all over the world.
This year’s conference was based on the theme “‘DARE – A Bold New HR” that highlighted the rapidly evolving HR practices that are both refreshingly different and daring. The first day of the event started with CHRE Hub, where~130 HR heads of corporate participated. The first day witnessed some interesting sessions like, Busting the Myth of the Open Organization; The Bold New HR: Courageous and Business Savvy; Shifting Gears: The Talent Acquisition & Metrics Story; Performance cycle and the bell curve; the final verdict; A salute to the spirit of Daring.
Genpact’s Founder Pramod Bhasin, pioneer of the business process management in India, showcased in the key note address that how Daring to dream and believe are the corner stone of innovation and necessary ingredient to achieving something big. Subsequent sessions took a deep look at some of the myths surrounding open organization, hierarchy vis-à-vis organizational backbone, culture of political connection and organizational success.
The main attraction of the evening was a session by Vicky Roy, Photographer, Forbes 30 under 30 2016, who narrated his daring story regarding how he ran away from his home only to become a rag picker in the big city. But his story changes tracks when he got rehabilitated by the Salaam Baalak Trust. Unlike many kids who start off like he did, Vicky is now an award winning photographer of international acclaim. He is part of the Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list in 2016 and a Ted speaker. Vicky’s Story embodies the spirit of Dare.
The second day of the event was marked by interesting sessions like The Face of Talent in the 21st Century; Employee Stress is stressing your bottom-line; ‘It’s time for YOUR feedback, HR!! The Performance Appraisal of the HR Department; Dare to Dream! The ‘Jio’ Story; the Olympic Mindset.
Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog shared his insights on the various activities and campaigns and what it takes to positioning and branding of India as a leading tourism destination globally. A break out session on ‘Employee stress is stressing your bottom-line: A deep dive into how to de-stress Corporate India’ looks at major employee complaints and how such grumbles led to employees leaving an organization and how organizations can achieve a stress free workplace. A question hour on ‘The digital darefor HR transformation puts forth three compelling questions to three CHRO’s on the biggest DARE HR has or will ever face.
Achal Khanna CEO, SHRM India highlighted the need for organizations to be Bold in their HR practices during her welcome address. “The world today is no longer the one of yesteryears that we remember. Much has changed in the way businesses are conducted and the world itself is in a state of constant change. It therefore would be counterproductive for organizations to remain stuck in the best practices of say 2005 or 2010. Better and innovative metrics to measure employee performance are evolving, and organizations must be Bold enough to change with the changing times,” said Khanna. She also exhorted the CHROs to be innovative so that HR best practices are worthy of emulation globally.
Other attraction at the conference was launch of ‘The Digital Tsunami’ book by Abhijit Bhaduri CLO, Wipro. The book contains useful insights on the rapid transformation taking place in the digital era. How new business models and new rules of business and laws governing them are emerging by the day. And how experience in the past ceases to be a relevant guide for the future. The book promises a good read for those taking the time to read it.
The 5th SHRM conference and Exposition 2016 was concluded with a closing keynote address from Mr. Gavin Freeman- a well known business and sports psychologist on how to develop an Olympic mindset. The keynote explored deep insights into performing under pressure with a strong message on how an individual can develop a resilient, focused, disciplined and motivated approach to life and work.
