SHRMEdge 2020 – Asia’s largest HR Conference off to a virtual start

SHRM EDGE 2020, biggest ever virtual conference with the theme ‘All Things Talent’ is off to a grand start. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), World’s largest HR Professional Society is holding its first ever virtual conference on account of safety concerns due to the global pandemic. Inaugurated by Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM India and Business HeadAPAC and MENA, the two day virtual conference and exposition is expected to bring together 4000+ participants, including mid & senior level HR professionals and corporate leaders from organizations across all sectors.

The SHRM EDGE 2020 is the latest innovation in virtual learning by SHRM – the Voice of All Things Work. The Virtual Conference will address the future of work, worker and workplace which will comprise of Over 20 hours of unparalleled learnings and 30+ Knowledge sessions by global speakers and experts. This conference will enable the attendees to walk away with learnings and practical tools to forge a more competitive and innovative talent strategy which will to help the organisations to thrive in the post-Covid world.

In his inaugural address Mr. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. SHRM SCP, President & CEO SHRM said, “ In these challenging times, it is imperative for organizations to keep their employees motivated and pay special attention to their workplace in the new world of talent. It is also important to have the right mix of people who reflect the organizational values & goals and ready to face the challenges coming their way. We have so much to look forward to as we shape the new normal of work, workers and the workplace and invest in the right talent”.

Ms. Achal Khanna, CEO – SHRM India, APAC & MENA said, “SHRM has pivoted and aligned to the new normal that we found ourselves in, this virtual conclave of some of the biggest industry leaders and HR professionals to deliberate on pertinent issues impacting the practice and the world in general is one such initiative. Our main aim behind taking the conference virtual is to bring together the best minds of HR across the globe to deliberate on the dealing with challenges in the new normal. We have received overwhelming responses in previous editions and participants have experienced immersive and insightful learnings, I believe this biggest ever virtual conclave will deliver the same levels of learning and insights to each participants”.

Day one of the conference was focused on two conclaves – Talent Acquisition and Talent Management. In the opening key note session: The Talent Imperative In The New Normal, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. SHRM SCP, President & CEO, SHRM  and Ajay Banga, CEO, Mastercard, discussed the key imperatives that create value in an organization by attracting and retaining the best talent. They also shared reflections from their personal and organisational journey on how we need to adjust talent strategies that would be key to meet the shifting paradigms of the new normal.

Throughout the day speakers delivered deep insights on the topics based on Employee experience, talent management, and talent acquisition etc. in multiple vibrant keynote and concurrent sessions. Leadership Foundational Skills: The future of Employability and online education; How your employer brand needs to respond to the new normal?; Inclusive Workplace Culture: Leading And Sustaining A Culture Transformation; SPECIAL TALK: Reimagining Talent Management For The Future; When Disaster Strikes: Adapting Your Workforce…Fast; Reimagining Employee Rewards And The Value Of Work; Effectively Managing Tech Workers: A New Imperative In The Digital Age were some of the exciting sessions at the conference.

Day one concluded with SHRM BIG DEBATE: Corporate Culture Reboot. Is it an Imperative?, where panelists discussed about how a  company’s culture is the set of values that reflect who they are, what their business is trying to achieve in the market place, and how they will go about achieving it.

A report by Indeed ‘The 2020 Time to Apply Study’ that shed light on the efficiency of application Process of organisations was also launched. In another session; New Age Performance Management – Disruptive and Now; Clink app was launched.