Never before has the business environment faced such challenging conditions rife with rapid change and fierce competition for markets and resources. The focus of the convention will therefore be on contributing towards achieving business sustainability within an uncertain global economic environment. Convention streams will include topics such as Leading the Organisation, Building Capacity and Delivering Business Results.
The essence of this theme and its sub-themes has been confirmed by the recent study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) that has revealed that good people practices confer a performance advantage. According to the research report this finding is especially important today as companies try to cope with a growing talent crisis and chronic economic uncertainty. The results of this study clearly reveal how good people practices impact the bottom line and how high performing organisations differentiate themselves dramatically from the rest.
Other challenges and trends that will be addressed are; 'People practices that have an impact on the bottom line', 'The value of HR as a strategic business leader', 'Branding and Marketing the HR Team' and 'Best Practice Capacity Building'. Issues such as the use of technology, capacity building, tax legislation, payroll and amendments to labour legislation will also be addressed.
Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, chairperson of BHP Billiton South Africa, will be the guest speaker at the gala dinner. He will also present the IPM Excellence Awards with assistance from Thabo Nkoane, head of human resources at BHP Billiton South Africa, manganese. In addition, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education will be sharing the education and training challenges that have to be resolved to spur South Africa onto a globally competitive path.
The IPM Awards will be a highlight of the convention. The finalists are Bonang Mohale, chairman and country general manager: Commercial from Shell South Africa, and Isaac Modiselle, CEO of Reakgona Hygiene for the IPM CEO of the Year Award; Victoria Ward, director of Human Resources, Merchants SA and UK (Pty) Ltd for the IPM HR Director of the Year Award; Liza Wilmot, Production Academy manager of the Volkswagen Group South Africa for the IPM HR Business Partner of the Year Award; and Janessa Leita, managing director, Siynaqoba for the IPM Centre of Excellence of the Year Award.
