Last week’s Human Resources Forum, June 1-3 at the Four Seasons in Dallas, TX was a huge success, with 100% of Delegates rating their experience as very good or good (4.6 average on a scale of 1-5) and nearly 80% of Supplier Companies immediately booking their place at next year’s event.
Companies averaging 44,481 employees were represented, from multiple industries, with a strong presence in healthcare, financial services and retail. CHROs, and HR VP Generalists, Directors of Talent Management, Compensation, Benefits, Acquisition, Development, Training, Effectiveness and more; the HR department powerhouses all under one roof, with a common mission - to network, learn and find solutions.
Setting the tone for the opening of the 2014 HR Forum on Sunday evening, with his heartfelt leadership style, was keynote speaker Garry Ridge, CEO of WD-40 Company. In his compelling presentation, Ridge addressed that even in tough times, creating a tribal culture among employees and a sense of belonging - and removing the biggest obstacle to learning – fear, will truly enable companies to engage their people, build a great place to work, and improve employee performance, job satisfaction and retention.
#LearningMoment Fact: WD-40 produces $1M in revenue per employee!
Following Ridge’s keynote, the group mingled their way into the foyer for the welcome cocktail reception and a series of 8 minute speed dates - executive style, all pre-arranged meetings. For HR leaders meeting with peers - a quick-fire exchange of challenges and best practices. For Suppliers meeting buyers – a quick “cup of tea” conversation to determine a match or not and where a potential relationship could go.
The most popular areas for discussion and top areas where delegates were seeking solutions centered around Employee Engagement, Change Management, Organizational Culture, Succession Planning, Rewards & Recognition, Performance Management, Coaching & Leadership Development, HR Metrics and Wellness Programs.
Over the next day and a half over 1000 meetings took place between senior HR leaders and suppliers to the industry, one-on-one, and over meals with peers, as they discussed the critical challenges facing their companies and their people, developing new relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships and solutions.
91% of Delegates rated their meetings with Suppliers as Good or Very Good and 69% said they were useful meetings that were unlikely to happen otherwise, stressing the importance and value of face-to-face meetings.
So far, 66% of Delegates are arranging further meetings with suppliers they met, 49% are asking suppliers to pitch for a specific project and 22% intend to commission work with a supplier based on their meeting at the HR Forum alone. 100% of suppliers expect to see ROI, majority within 3-6 months.
#HowDoYouBizDev?
Continuing the keynotes on day two, Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR, delivered what many were referring to as the most honest and inspiring presentation they ever heard. Known from his appearance on CBS’ hit show Undercover Boss, Yellen took us on a story of his own life and how his appearance on the show and actually getting to know his employees, transformed him to become the leader he is today - leading from behind, putting people first and his “be humble or get humbled” philosophy.
It was clear that HR leaders really appreciated the CEO perspectives of both Ridge and Yellen, and left recharged and inspired to return to the office ready to make a measurable impact to their business and their people, reiterating the importance and effectiveness of effective leadership, starting from the top-down.
Other popular conference sessions and discussion groups amongst Delegates focused on:
- The Power of an Engaged Organization
- Employment Branding Strategies to Stand Out from the Pack
- The Realities of Recruiting
- Starting with a Moral Purpose: Driving Business through Sustainability
- GenZ – Adjusting to the Changing Needs of Tomorrow’s Labor Market
The next Richmond Events’ Human Resources Forum will take place June 7-9, 2015 at Omni Barton Creek in Austin, Texas.