Pakistan Society for Human Resource Management (PSHRM) organized a two days conference on November 21st and 22nd, 2005 at Karachi Sheraton. The theme of the conference was “Creating Value Through Human Resources” – Attract, Retain, Invest and Engage”. The content of the conference highlighted the significance of introducing a professional approach towards developing Human Resources for maintaining economic targets and assuring sustainability.
More than 350 delegates, including CEO’s, seasoned full-time HR professionals and Executive Directors attended the conference. The participants from across Pakistan as well Indian, Kenya, Bangladesh and UAE shared their experiences, knowledge and ideas through workshops and panel discussions.
The opening session began with a lively and highly skilled presentation by Human Resource specialist, Dr. Wayne Brockbank, Professor of Business, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA.
Dr. Brochbank, the author of award winning papers on HR strategy, researcher, and an adviser to the top global organizations, involved the participants in an interactive and motivating talk. He emphasized the need now for a developing country like Pakistan, with its recently developed economic base, was to divert its full attention towards developing its Human Resources for achieving sustainable economic growth. He also outlined customer – business relationship and its vital role in business profitability and for creating a sound base and balance. He acclaimed Human Capital as the key to business success.
The presentation by Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi and Caroline Stockman reflected on Investment in Human Capital through Talent and Organisational Learning. Their session stressed on the need for diversity within an organisational environment. Their approach would contribute towards the success of the organisation in converting talent into human capital.
On the second day, Steve Daysh, General Manager, Human Resource, University of Adelaide, Australia, an expert in recruitment, appointments and industrial relations opened the session with his presentation. He emphasized on modalities of hiring and a systematic assessment of work environment in connection with utilizing the right talent to get the job done in a professional manner. He spoke of the challenges with regard to an aging work force particularly in academia.
The remainder of the morning session was an interactive panel discussion with speakers CEO Mobilink, Mr. Zuhair Khalique and Country Head, Standard Chartered Pakistan, Mr. Badar Kazmi. Both spoke on best practices adopted by their respective companies. The session was chaired by Dr. Wayne Brockbank and Steve Daysh who mediated questions from the audience. These were challenging questions including those that asked about the ‘VIP’ culture of CEOs within companies; on the high turnovers; and when HR departments become power bases within themselves. Both answered the rigorous questions with ease, quoting examples from their respective organisational experiences.
The afternoon session began with Dr. Wayne Brockbank discussing HR in Pakistan with five selected CEOs. Some of the most eminent CEO’s of Pakistani corporations asked ‘hard questions’ from each other. The BBC style format created an interesting, challenging and charged environment that made this one of the most interesting aspects of this HR conference.
The two day conference came to an end with the distribution of mementoes to the guest speakers for their in-depth deliberations challenging current thinking and identifying strategies for implementing “best practices” which contributed to the success of the conference.
The main sponsors of the conference were Mobilink and the event was supported by PBA. The co-sponsors were Habib Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and PSO.
