Jam-packed event featured some of New Zealand’s best HR leaders
HRD’s National HR Summit New Zealand kicked off yesterday, bringing together the industry’s leading professionals.
Sponsored by ELMO Software, it featured a huge range of speakers from some of New Zealand’s biggest employers. The audience of 180 attendees packed out Auckland’s Hilton hotel to hear exclusive insights into future trends and challenges facing the industry after an incredibly challenging 12 months.
Jaime Gallocher, Founder of The People Project, and chair of yesterday’s event, kicked the day off at Auckland’s Hilton hotel with her opening remarks, before the keynote session by Sinead Boucher, CEO of Stuff.
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Boucher shared some of the learnings from her own leadership journey and how taking calculated risks pushed her to step out of her comfort zone. At the helm of one of NZ’s premier news outlets, she talked about her rise to the top.
Other speakers included Gareth Cameron, head of people, training & talent at McDonald's NZ, Nikki Dines, CPO at Air NZ, and Jodie King, CPO at Vodafone NZ.
The three panel discussions covered a range of topics facing the industry in the wake of COVID-19, including how to lead a remote and flexible workforce, leveraging HR tech to reengage the workforce, and rebuilding trust with a positive employee experience.
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Other sessions focused on the importance of storytelling through real-time data, with insights from Ryan Ghisi, Xero’s general manager of global people programs. He touched on the power of data and analytics to influence stakeholders and the role of data to influence employee experience.
Shaun Philp, chief people officer, at Chorus NZ also looked at the rising value of mental health and wellbeing strategy. He discussed the steps Chorus is taking to improve employee wellbeing as they respond to the challenges facing their staff.
The physical event was able to go ahead thanks to the easing of restrictions following Auckland’s COVID-19 outbreak.