Paul Gauci, head of Bank of Valletta's Training and Education Centre, recently addressed participants at the 34th Global Human Resource Management Conference entitled "HR at the Crossroads: Change or be changed!"
The conference, organised by Management Centre Europe, was held in Lisbon, and brought together more than 500 participants from 40 countries.
In today's increasingly competitive marketplace, organisations, more than ever before, are looking to achieve maximum effectiveness from each and every aspect of their business. Organisations are realising that the management of people, who are among their most critical change agents, is crucial for creating or sustaining a high performance organisation.
Quite clearly, the role of HR is imperative. However, while its capacity to influence and instigate change, and thus add value, is undeniable, first of all the function itself must change!
Top management wants a new HR function - an HR function that contributes more to the organisation - an HR function that proactively supports and enhances the organisation as a strategic business partner.
The HR function has undoubtedly reached a turning point - a crucial moment at which decisions need to be made - a crucial moment at which it will be a matter of "change or be changed".
With the HR function now standing at these crossroads, the conference sought to ask: "How can this competitive advantage be achieved? What exactly is the HR function and which direction must it take? What must be carried out, when, and with whom? What new skill sets will be required, and where will this breed of HR professional come from in the future?"
Through a blend of theory and practice, participants at the 2002 Global HRM Conference had the opportunity to be introduced to the latest thinking, discuss and debate practical implications.
Stimulating keynote presentations, coupled with informative knowledge updates and in-depth interactive workshops, ensured that the conference provided participants with a total learning experience, also providing an unrivalled networking opportunity.
Corporate cases from leading organisations also served to compare how the situation is being approached across a variety of industries.