As HR practitioners and their organisations respond to the fast-paced adoption of technology and changing workplace dynamics, the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2017, set to take place on 21 and 22 November, will focus on Work 4.0: Innovation, Agility and Productivity.
In addition to extensive networking opportunities and the latest products and services showcased by HR solution providers, an international line-up of experts will provide industry updates and offer practical information on lessons learned, insights and best practices.
Designed for HR practitioners ranging from those early in their careers to more experienced HR executives, the HKIHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition 2017 showcases resources to help HR professionals and their organisations adapt to the pervasive influences of technology and re-evaluate traditional approaches to talent management. The conference and exhibition will also provide extensive opportunities to network and exchange views on the underlying drivers of change and the future of HR.
As the profession continues to evolve, Janet Man and Alice Wong, co-chairpersons of the 2017 Annual Conference Organising Committee, believe it is imperative that HR professionals are able to be proactive in transforming their function by making full use of data to improve workforce engagement, behaviour and capabilities. HR professionals also need to develop the skills to be a contributing partner within their organisations to prepare talent that drives innovation, agility and productivity.
With innovation widely accepted as a creator of competitive business advantages, the co-chairpersons firmly believe it is vital for HR to understand the critical importance of contributing to their organisation’s innovative vision by attracting and keeping the most innovative employees, constantly improving their skills and fostering a culture of innovation.
The use of data is another area considered an important step to change for HR to deliver competitively differentiating capabilities. “HR professionals need to understand how to make use of ‘big data’ to make better talent acquisition and management decisions and speed up processes that increase efficiencies,” Alice Wong notes. Data analytics make it possible to construct detailed people insights, identify skills gaps and design training programmes, which can help an organisation to build a stronger workforce.
The co-chairpersons believe the conference and exhibition will offer HR practitioners the insights needed to lead in a digital age constantly disrupted by new technology. For instance, participants will learn from fellow practitioners how HR evolves to embrace change while meeting business needs with talent management solutions. A key area that will come under the spotlight during the conference and exhibition is company case studies that showcase real-life examples of creating exceptional employment experiences.
“The employer-employee relationship has undergone some significant changes. In the past, the job market was employer driven, but these days, it has become an employee market. Now, we need to appeal and compete for talent by delighting them, starting from the talent acquisition experience, on-boarding, training and even all the way through their retirement,” says Janet Man.
While the conference and exhibition will offer insights on how to strengthen employment experience, the event will also include a diverse range of topics.
“The conference will home in on many of the aspects HR practitioners need to enable them to walk the walk before they talk the talk,” says Man.
The conference and exhibition will provide a platform to review the ever-changing HR landscape and help HR practitioners prepare for challenges and opportunities they may face in the future. For example, the co-chairpersons share the belief that, while HR professionals are fully aware of the trends influencing recruitment, training and retention, they are also looking for best-fit strategies and solutions to ensure their future-ready talent management models align with evolving business needs.
“Technology is changing more than production processes and business models; it’s changing the way we connect and communicate and how we work,” says Wong.
As well as illustrious speakers and HR visionaries, the conference and exhibition will feature roundtable discussions, workshops, case presentations in TED format and experiential learning opportunities.
Participants, for example, will be able to experience first-hand how virtual reality solutions are used for employee on-boarding and training. “Virtual reality systems are something HR practitioners can utilise to minimise the risks when safety factors are part of the training or when geographical borders are an issue,” explains Wong.
With a strong line-up of renowned speakers from the region and around the world to exchange their views on some of the most compelling HR-related issues and concerns, this two-day event expects to offer people management trending insights to delegates and visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and the Asia-Pacific region.
HKIHRM Annual Conference & Exhibition 2017
Date: 21 and 22 November
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Enquiries:
Telephone: [852] 2837 3817/22
Email: project@hkihrm.org
This article appeared in the Classified Post print edition as Gearing HR for a new age.
