New Delhi | 30th July 2020: SHRMEDGE 2020, the virtual conference hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), concluded successfully today. The Oneof-a-kind virtual conference with super specialized conclaves had a global flavor with attendees as well as speakers from across APAC and the world. A series of deliberations and moderated sessions were held on germane issues affecting businesses and people across the world. Driving a culture of innovation, adapting to the new normal and ensuring a safe a secure work environment are some of the key points of discussion at the conclave. The two day virtual conference and exposition brought together 4000+ participants, including mid & senior level HR professionals and corporate leaders from organizations across all sectors.

Day one of the conference was focused on Talent Acquisition and Talent Management related discussions. 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 one 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 two of the conference began with an engaging keynote session “Thriving Minds: Driving a Culture of Innovation by Design” by T.V. Mohan Das Pai, Chairman Manipal Global Education, followed by an engaging conversation with Emily M. Dickens, Corporate secretary and Chief of Staff, SHRM. Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Enterprises delivered another key note address on Building Champions and Heroes of your workplace!

Diversity of talent in the new normal, Wellness beyond COVID era – Back to the basics, The Dichotomy of Hi-Tech and Hi-touch learning, Future of learning – SHIFT to the new normal were some of the other exciting sessions at the conference on day two. Eminent speakers and panelists spoke extensively on the topics based on employee experience, talent well-being, talent development and best practices. A series of concurrent sessions were also held to address pertinent issues and to forge a way forward through discussions.

In a special feature, Yanush Batra, Student of Ancient Indian Scriptures and Bharatnatyam dancer engaged participants with a modern take on the many learnings contained in the ancient scriptures. That the wisdom and teaching of the ancient texts can be perceived as universal laws rather than religious teachings due to their ability to stay prevalent through the course of history. This talk delves on the holistic approach the philosophical idea that is well-being, physical, emotional, spiritual.

Ms. Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM India and Business Head- APAC & MENA, said, “The series of engaging keynote sessions and panel discussions throughout the conclave have been truly enriching and timely, I am sure participants walked away with significant insights on talking current challenges and be prepared for the future. This year we had to move the entire conclave online and this has been a learning experience for us. We are delighted with the overwhelming response and we are hopeful that this conclave has been a positive learning experience for all of the participants as it has been for us”.

The event came to an end with a scintillating conversation between Sadhguru and Johnny C. Taylor Jr. on Sadhguru’s unique take of “Human is not a Resource.