Opening Address

AHRI: finger on the pulse

Serge Sardo

CEO, Australian Human Resources Institute

Based on evidence-based AHRI research Serge Sardo will set the context of the day’s proceedings by looking at the impact on HR and people management practices within business against the combined setting of a serious financial downturn globally and a major overhaul of the industrial relations landscape at home.

Keynote 1

Hon Kevin Foley MP

Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Industry and Trade
Minister for Federal/State Relations

The Deputy Premier and Treasurer Kevin Foley will speak about the job market in South Australia, as well how the government has acted to support local industry during the current economic downturn.

Keynote 2

People Strategies in a downturn - Focus to stay viable during a GFC!

Alexandrea Cannon

Chair, Power State Credit Union

Companies need to review their strategies when times are tough; to ensure economic sustainability of the organization for the sake of their employees, shareholders, customers and suppliers. This presentation will provide insight into how Powerstate Credit Union’s ethos and values have sustained them through the GFC and enabled them to continue to successfully contribute to the South Australian economy. Alexandrea will also cover how important HR practices are at such times by referring to how her HR experience has influenced her approach to the role of Chair of the Board.

Keynote 3

Leadership in the work place of the future

Steve Vamos

President, Society for Knowledge Economics

Steve Vamos is the founding President of the Society for Knowledge Economics (SKE), a not for profit think tank established in 2005, supported by Westpac, Microsoft, EDS (an HP Company), CPA Australia and Price Waterhouse Coopers. The SKE has conducted research in partnership with organisations such as the Business Council of Australia, the Victorian Government and the Federal Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The SKE encourages new and better practice in the leadership, culture and management practices of human and other intangible resources that create economic and social value in knowledge based and globally connected economies. Join Steve Vamos as he investigates how leadership contributes to increased employee engagement, innovation and productivity in Australian organisations.

Keynote Panel 1

Building sustainable workforces

Peter Vaughan, CEO, Business SA

Peter Malinauskas, Secretary, Shop Distributive and Allied Workers Union

Richard Blandy, Professor, University of South Australia
Chair: Serge Sardo, CEO, Australian Human Resources Institute

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainability as "forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs". So the key to workforce sustainability is to prepare for the needs of the future while minimising disruption and dislocation to the lives of today’s workers.

Join leading minds from the industries and sectors at the coal face as they discuss ways to ensure attractive career options for the Australians who will work in jobs that are generated by a sustainable economy and society.

Keynote 4

HR in the new Green Economy

Tony Innes

Founding partner, Sustainable Directions

Despite the latest distraction of the Global economic downturn, climate change will soon re-emerge as a major issue facing most industries in the coming years and it will be HR professionals in particular who will be at the forefront of the Business sector's involvement in a carbon restrained economy.

Tony Innes is a former credit union Executive who has been personally trained by Nobel Prize winner Al Gore as part of the Australian Conservation Foundation Climate Project. Innes will give a practical overview of climate change, demystifying much of the "green jargon", the impacts to business and investigate the issues facing HR professionals in the future.

Keynote Panel 2

Preparing for the upturn

Lachlan Bruce, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Trade and Economic Development

Marian Whitaker, Senior Lecturer – HRM, Flinders University

Phil Methofer, Business SA

Christine Steele, Deputy State Manager SA Office, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Chair: Samantha Wilkinson, President – South Australia, Australian Human Resources Institute

What innovations, tactics or support programs are available to businesses to support success and growth as the economy moves out of the current downturn? Join a panel of experts to discuss where to from here.