How to put value to employer of choice in tough economic times

21 Jun 2016

Human resources is often seen as an insignificant part in most organisations, however, it has progressed from an admin-focused function to a strategic business effort and for that reason a significant number of individuals are pushing boundaries, which The Future of HR Awards in association with Careers24 recognise. The awards bring together some of the most highly acclaimed academics, industry leaders, private sector experts and public sector organisations to adjudicate South Africa's top organisations on how their strategies are impacting high performance and creating ever-rising imperative to be employer of choice.

How to put value to employer of choice in tough economic times

“The new era of change is expected. The current economic climate demands smarter operational methods of business. We all understand that people are integral to business performance. If all our businesses succeed, then our economy and our nation succeed. Everything about business is people related. Whether we are speaking about staff, clients, customers, community, shareholders or any other stakeholder, these are all people,” says Shirley Zinn, Strategic Advisor to Topco Media.

Kay Vittee, CEO, Quest Staffing Solutions and one of the judges said, “Organisations have definitely recognised that people are their competitive asset and their programmes, incentive schemes and reward structures have represented that in the judging process. When judging I look at the holistic approach, which has to encompass every element, not just recognition but also reward. But more importantly how does the programme ensure that there is business success both now and into the future.”

The Future of HR Awards entrants are individuals and organisations from both the public and private sector. The entrants have outlined their challenges, shown passion within their profession and worked tirelessly to innovate HR practices that drive high performance.

“HR will be judged by how well it enables the business strategy, optimises workforce performance and assists employees to thrive and achieve their full potential,” said Italia Boninelli, former Executive Vice President: People and Organisational Development at AngloGold Ashanti, and 2015 Lifetime Achiever Award Winner at the 2015 Future of HR Awards.

“We have seen some really amazing organisations that have entered – really quality entrants as far as organisations are concerned. People are doing fantastic stuff around HR practices. As judges we have to separate the best from the best,” said Siphiwe Moyo, Chairman, South African Board for People Practices (SABPP).

Meet the Future of HR Awards finalists:

Individual Awards

HR Champion (CEO)
Amatola Water – Lefadi Makibinyane
Boniswa Corporate Solution – Lynette Magasa
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) – Julie-May Ellington
merSETA – Dr Raymond Patel
Thebe Reed Exhibition – Carol Weaving
Water Research Commission – Dhesigan Naidoo

HR Rising Star of the Year

Argility – Candice Booysen
Bidvest Steiner – Theo Tshanga
Entelect Software – Yatish Parshotam
Eskom – Mafeto Patrick Mailula
Global Business Solutions – Grant Wilkinson
Home of Living Brands – Nina Sternberg

HR Manager of the Year

Accountability – Heather Swinerd
AOS Partners – Aimee McNamara
Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) – Portia Mkhabela
Elgin Brown & Hamer – Veni Gopalan
Entelect Software – Yatish Parshotam
Schenker South Africa – Isubel Venter
SilverBridge Holdings – Ruth Wotela
The MSA Group – Claire McMaster
President Hotel – Dee Orrie
Trudon – Mashudu Malivha
Umsinsi Health Care – Thomas Mphahlele
Rand Water Board – Hudson Maila

HR Director of the Year

21st Century Pay Solutions – Morag Phillips
Aspen Pharmacare – Gerhard Fouché
Bidvest Steiner – Theo Tshanga
Department of Science & Technology – Naledi Modibedi
General Electric (Steam Power Systems) – Matsiliso Eseu
GIBB – Philip Barnard
HSBC Africa – Sharmila Govind
Liberty Group– Nobantu Masebelanga
Otis SA – Loueen Jones-Paulsen
Peermont Group – Fihliwe Nkomo
Sun International – Verna Robson
Trollope Mining Services – Johan Momberg
WSP Group Africa – Shanitha Singh

Organisation Awards

Employer of Choice: Large Organisation

Cape Town International Convention Centre
DHL Express
Eastvaal Motors
Ericsson
Hirsch’s
Siemens SA

Employer of Choice: Public Sector Organisation

Amatola Water
Department of Science & Technology
merSETA
Rand Water Board
Water Research Commission

Best Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

Accenture SA
HSBC Africa
Isilumko Staffing Solutions
PwC
Thebe Reed Exhibitions

Best HR Industry Innovation Using Technology

Boniswa Corporate Solutions
Coega Development Corporation
Entelect Software
HSBC Africa

Best Learning & Development Strategy

Bowman Gilfillan
Coega Development Corporation
CTP Printers Cape Town
Elgin Brown & Hamer
merSETA

Best HR Team of the Year

Accenture SA
Eastvaal Motors
PwC
Rand Water Board

Winners will be announced on Thursday 21 July 2016 in Johannesburg. For more information, contact: Sheri Morgan on 086 000 9590 or e-mail: az.oc.ocpot@nagrom.irehs.

If you would like to book to attend, contact Rose Setshoge on 086 000 9590 or e-mail: az.oc.ocpot@egohstes.esor.

DYNAMIC BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA Topco Media is one of South Africa's leading business-to-business media houses, producing high profile, relevant conferences and awards. Our conferences include Africa Tech Week, Standard Bank Top Women, Top Empowerment, Future of HR, National Business Awards and Future of Sustainability. We also produce authoritative and informative business and investment publications such as Top 500, Top Empowerment, Nelson Mandela 100 years to name a few.