Day 1 of HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest - DIGITAL began with a focus on the busy epidemic and a caution against believing everything we think. The day continued with talks, Q&As and tech demos from difference-makers and disrupters.

Here is a summary of 4 of those amazing sessions.

Penny Locaso, Chief Executive Officer, HackingHappy.co

Theme: The New Intelligence for The Human Age

Premise: Time out to rethink the future of humanity and the role we have in shaping it. Welcome to the human age! A place where those who put humans first and prioritise the mental health of their employees will reap the rewards long term.

Keynote Key Takeaways:

It's time to cultivate a new intelligence; an intelligence that enables humans to cease reacting and start intentionally adapting.

The word ‘busy’ no longer means anything. It’s a code word for something else.

Darwin was right; adaptability is how we survive, but we’re seeking more than mere existence now so the way we look at adaptability has to change.

We need to bring intention and meaning to the forefront. It is a practice – not an end goal.

Quote of the session:

“Our focus on doing has compromised our state of being.”

Michael Vaz, Vice President Learning & Development, Accor Asia Pacific (Singapore)

Topic: Mindset for the Moment

Premise: While we're all going though the same storm, we're not all in the same boat! So many people are struggling at the moment with resilience, anxiety and depression, all we can really do is be there for one another and help each other up! What are the 3 keys to shifting your belief systems to create a more positive mindset for the new now we find ourselves in?

Key Takeaways:

Start with your heart.

Check your focus and your feed.

Check your words and your world.

We were built to grow.

Quote of the session:

“Ask yourself: what are the things I’m thinking of and not getting the results I want to see?”

Dr Elizabeth Valentine, Chief Information Officer - Massey University, New Zealand

Topic: Digital Capability: A Foundation for Thriving in Challenging Times

Premise: The six areas of digital capability that build maturity, explore key considerations for CIOs to achieve digital and IT transformation, and cover practical ways to achieve digital maturity by prioritising investments, commitment and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

Analyse needs around risk and opportunity

Double down on priorities

Build the business case

Build capability

Quote of the session:

“Good quality governance is about the quality of the dialogue, our ability to have mature conversations about the challenges that we face and to understand that it’s not just about the board and our senior leaders – it flows on down to our managers.”

Jennifer McClure, President - Unbridled Talent LLC (USA

Topic: Future-Ready HR: Leading Breakthrough Performance in the New World of Work

Premise: The world has changed forever, and the future of work is full of challenges and uncertainty. How HR leaders help their organisations navigate through these changes ahead will be critical to ensuring viability and creating competitive advantage.

To effectively lead the transformation required, deliver maximum impact on results and effectively align talent with the organisation's strategic plans, HR leaders must deeply understand the business, focus strategically, understand how to influence change, and play a key role in solving business problems.

Jennifer challenges conventional thinking about HR's role in organisations and explores progressive ways to continue evolving and disrupting traditional people practices, while building the relationships and influence necessary to gain approval and executive support.

 Key Takeaways:

COVID-19 is HR’s moment to shine.

The future of work: career mobility, the end of static jobs, talent everywhere.

Health and well-being has become the centre of the work experience.

Learning is being reimagined. It will be customised, curated and continuous.

Every individual needs to feel like they belong.

Use data to tell stories.

HR needs to be better at solving business problems.

This is HR’s opportunity to influence change. Get influence by other people’s positive experience of you.

Quote of the session:

“HR must become a leader in the digital organisation. This means going beyond digitising HR platforms, to developing digital workplaces, and digital workforces, and to deploying technology that changes how people work, and the way they relate to each other."

Day 2 starts at 10am on Tuesday, 8 December.