The 2019 Human Resources (HR) Conference took place last week from 26-28 March in Amsterdam. During the Conference, key HR topics such as Employer Branding in a Digital World, Career Building Talent Development, Leadership & Change, as well as the Impact of Technology on HR & Training were addressed. 

To kick-off this year’s event, delegates were invited to attend a 4-hour Masterclass led by training expert, Alison Hendry-Butler, on the Future of Coaching. Working in groups during various break-out sessions, the delegates were asked to reflect on the changes facing coaching and talent development, and discuss how they as HR professionals can best embrace the changes faced by both new generations of employees and ever-evolving technologies.

The SPAR HR representatives were also asked to reflect internally on their own business cultures – at how they are embracing and supporting coaching, people development and talent retention, and what the possible obstacles might be in developing a positive culture of mentoring and coaching. Alison helped the participants think about what is needed for them as HR professionals to develop as coaches to match the future needs of their businesses.

In addition to presentations which were given by SPAR Partners on HR-related topics in their countries, two guest speakers also shared their insights. Tanya Bondarouk, Professor of HR Management at the University of Twente, presented on the best ways to embrace new technologies in HR Management, whereas Alison Hendry-Butler, addressed the best ways to develop and retain future talent.

Delegates agreed that this year’s conference was another great event and an example of sharing best practice and addressing challenging issues by exchanging knowledge – a key element of the SPAR way of working. Photographs and presentations from these two events will be published on SPAR Connect soon.