Connecting Minds, Bridging Borders

14:00 – 14:20   The talent advantage: Why it matters!

If we have better talent at our organisation, what will happen? 

This session will examine the impact of human capability on key business results - driving strategy, customer connection, investor confidence, and communication reputation allowing it to get the attention it deserves.

Speaker:
Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor, University of Michigan

14:20 – 15:00    Building a high-performance culture for 2024

A top -down approach to building culture no longer works and it has rapidly become a core responsibility of every employee to actively contribute to building an organisations culture. 

This engaging panel session will cover: 

• What the key elements of an organisational culture are, and where do they come from? 
• Key strategies to scale and nurture a culture of agility, innovation and inclusivity 
• Building a high trust culture in a VUCA world 
• What the top 3 priorities for HR leaders in 2023 
• Leveraging HR tech to drive cultural transformations

Panellists:
Dr. Rania Abi Raad, Chief Human Resources Officer, Evercare Group
Mohammed M. Alwaibari, CHRO & Board Member, Government, KSA
Basil Buali, Organization Development Sr Director, The Royal Commission for Riyadh City
Moutaz, Mashhour, Executive Vice President -Corporate Services, The Industrialization & Energy Services Company (TAQA)
Moderator:
Paul WIlliams, Global HR Thought Leader

15:00 – 15:20    The importance of cultural intelligence (CQ) for HR and organisational success

Join us for an enlightening session on the critical role of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in shaping HR and organisational success. You will discover how CQ empowers individuals and transforms workplace dynamics, making organisations more culturally inclusive.
 
Key takeaways:

• Redefining diversity training: Understand why traditional diversity and inclusion training may fall short and explore the shift from "diversity" to "cultural" training that promotes inclusivity for all.
• Cultural awareness vs. Cultural intelligence (CQ): Differentiate between cultural awareness and CQ, and grasp how CQ empowers individuals to adapt, build trust, and communicate effectively across cultures.
• The four components of CQ: Delve into the four dimensions of CQ: Drive, Knowledge, Strategies, and Action.
• Why CQ matters: Learn how CQ helps HR leaders navigate cultural nuances, resolve conflicts, develop leadership, and build an inclusive workplace that respects diversity.
• ROI of CQ initiatives: Explore case studies showcasing how Cultural Intelligence programs are impacting real organisations.
• CQ in action: Understand how CQ predicts high-quality decision-making, trust-building, creativity, work performance, and profitability in culturally diverse environments.

Speaker:
Emma Jordaan, Founder and Director, Infinite Consulting

15:20 – 15:25    The shift: What does the future of work hold for you?

The world of work has been undergoing huge changes, and all of us are being propelled into a future shaped by technological advances. Those changes have already impacted most, if not all, workplaces; but Lynda Gratton believes that the next wave of changes we face will be especially noteworthy. 

This discussion will analyse the changing nature of work, technological trends, demographic trends, and social trends – laying the foundation for 2024

Speakers:
Lynda Gratton, Professor and Organisational Theorist, London Business School
Omnia Al Desoukie, Editor, TheHRObserver

15:25 - 15:45   Fundamentals of instructional design certificate

As an instructional designer, you have the power to impact organizational results by designing learning experiences that give participants the knowledge and skills needed to perform their jobs well. To be an effective instructional designer, you need a structured, step-by-step design process that you can rely upon to create outcome-based training.

Facilitator:
Nader Bechini, Master Trainer, ATD

15:45 – 16:10   Fostering DEI in the workplace

Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and workplace involves awareness of and appreciation for different perspectives, backgrounds, customs, abilities, and behaviour norms. 

This session will set the stage for what Seema’s two-day workshop will cover, from demonstrating the value of integrating DEI in your policies to allowing you to identify influencing factors, as well as examining how you can inculcate inclusive leadership skills to create safe workplaces. 

Join us to examine the HOW for your strategy implementation goals.

Speaker:
Seema Nagrath Menon, Facilitator, Association for Talent Development (ATD)

14:00 - 14:20: Enabling productive teams: Enriching performance, boosting revenue

This session will examine the latest insights on why reframing your conversations with your employees will yield engagement and productivity.

It will cover:

• What are the key conversations that managers and leaders need to have, to enhance their employee's engagement and performance.
• Why you should craft your goals for implementing and plan for your next conversation.

Speaker:
Dr. Adam Hickman PhD., Vice President of Learning, Organisational Development and Cast Members, Partners a Walt Disney Company

14:20 – 15:00: Talent Resilience: Navigating uncertainty through skill optimisation

This session will explore the metrics and measures to measure and enhance the brilliance of your talent pool.

• The importance of identifying, attracting, upskilling and reskilling talent
• Developing, nurturing and managing high potential talent
• Talent management in transformational times
• People analytics as a catalyst to boost engagement
• Adapting to change to future proof talent
• Improving talent strategies using AI

Speakers:
Rania AlGhamdi, HR Services Director, John Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Samer Abou Daher, Director of People & Culture, Bidfood Middle East
Raymond Coderre, Head of Learning and Development, KAUST
Imad Ghazzawi, Group Executive Director, People, Tiqmo
Moderator:
Sara Boueri, CHRO, Global

15:00 – 15:20: The future of HR: Embracing generative AI

In the dawn of the AI era, Generative AI emerges as a game-changer, poised to redefine the business landscape. This keynote introduces the profound capabilities of Generative AI, from creating content to simulating complex scenarios. We'll explore its transformative impact on businesses, with a spotlight on HR's pivotal role. Understand how Generative AI can revolutionize talent management, decision-making, and employee experiences.

 As a precursor to our in-depth workshop on 'Generative AI x HR strategies', this session sets the stage, inviting you to envision a future where HR harnesses the full potential of Generative AI.

Speaker:
Frederik Haentjens, CEO, Get Design Thinking

15:20 – 15:35: What makes an effective leader?

Effective leadership enables you to influence, motivate and inspire others to achieve shared goals.

This session will examine:

• The key principles of effective leadership and their implementation
• How you can imbibe these processes into your current strategy
• What are the top skills you need to cultivate?

Speaker:
Marie-Louise Ek, Vice President HR Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Hilton

15:35 – 16:00: The importance of conducting a rigorous Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment better described as “a study of the gap between an organization’s desired state and its current state. When done correctly, it challenges assumptions and broadens the discussion to include data and divergent perspectives, group and individual biases, better decision making, inclusion, and better, faster business results.”

A needs assessment determines what kind of solution is needed to gain the desired results. Without it, Talent Development professionals risk creating training programs that do not solve an organization’s business or performance improvement problems

Niamh Briody Jordan, Regional Partner, ATD Facilitator

14:00 – 14:20: Empowering people: The future of leadership

In this light-hearted conversation, Marshall will answer key questions on how to increase your team’s individual effectiveness and build engagement – through his technique ‘Feedforward’ that helps people envision and focus on a positive future, not a failed past

Speakers:
Marshall Goldsmith, #1 Wall Street Journal Business Book - What Got You Here Won't Get You There, World-Renowned Business Educator and Coach
Omnia Al Desoukie, Editor, theHRObserver

14:20 – 15:00: Digitally Transforming HR: What’s your mandate

While digital transformation is an organisational initiative and not limited to HR, people are the common denominator – and it is crucial now to actively leverage technology and data to steer people strategy in a future focused way.

Together we will analyse:

• What factors are necessary for a successful digital transformation
• Understanding the 4 key stages in your HR transformation journey
• Navigating the intersection of technology and human resource through insights into macro trends like AI and the evolving digital workplace
• Best practises: Why communication and collaboration remain key

Speakers:
Vineesha Satwani, Advisor - Digtial I Data I Transformation, Award winning speaker
Dr. Adrian Waite, Head of Talent, Governance & Analytics (IMETA), Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Adwaita Govind Menon, Senior Specialist - Business Support & Human Resources, DEWA
Emma Davies, Chief Culture and People Excellence Officer, Masafi LLC
Moderator:
Frederik Haentjens, CEO, Get Design Thinking

15:35 – 16:00: The importance of conducting a rigorous Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment better described as “a study of the gap between an organization’s desired state and its current state. When done correctly, it challenges assumptions and broadens the discussion to include data and divergent perspectives, group and individual biases, better decision making, inclusion, and better, faster business results.”

A needs assessment determines what kind of solution is needed to gain the desired results. Without it, Talent Development professionals risk creating training programs that do not solve an organization’s business or performance improvement problems

Niamh Briody Jordan, Regional Partner, ATD Facilitator

15:20 – 15:35: Leading talent in a disrupted world 

Lucy Adam leverages her years of experience to share practical tips on how HR professionals can navigate talent differently and encourage them to change their talent leadership.

Speakers:
Lucy Adams, ex HR Director, BBC
Omnia Al Desoukie, Editor, theHRObserver

15:35 – 16:00: Examining total rewards strategies

The shift to remote and hybrid work models has significant implications for Total Rewards strategies.

This engaging discussion will cover two critical aspects; and showcase best practises across:

• What you can learn from design thinking for exceptional employee experiences
• An overview of the strategies needed to adapt compensation and benefits to meet the needs of a distributed workforce

Co-presenters:
Dr. Todd Brodie PhD., Global Human Resource Executive
Gaelle Lahad, Co-CEO, Talent at Work (TaW)