Putting pen to paper: Insights from the Stratford-upon-Avon Summit

In the historic and picturesque setting of Stratford-upon-Avon, where the words of Shakespeare still whisper through the halls, Talent Acquisition leaders gathered at Billesley Manor for one of the first Resourcing Leaders Summits of the year. The serene backdrop, once a source of inspiration for one of the greatest playwrights, now served as the perfect setting for discussions on TA strategy and leadership.

Executive Hiring and the Remote World

The first act of the Summit saw Isabelle Hung shedding light on "Evolving Exec Hiring in a Remote World." Issy emphasised the nuanced approach required in executive acquisition, especially in remote settings, highlighting the depth of understanding needed about the business and the strategic storytelling necessary to attract top-tier talent. Her session underlined the importance of not just recruiting executives but convincing them of the stability and vision of the organisation they are joining.

The Skills Crisis and Skills-Based Hiring

Next up, PeopleScout APAC 's Robert Peasnell's presentation on "Succeeding with Skills-Based Hiring" unveiled worrying findings around the significant gap in workforce skills expected in the near future. The session was a wake-up call for companies to rethink their strategies, advocating for a holistic view of skills that includes hard, soft, and motivational capabilities. Robert urged organisations to transition towards a skills-centric approach, starting with skills-based hiring, to navigate the impending crisis.

Crafting Authentic Employer Narratives with Mark Beavan

The final act of the morning was a deep dive into the essence of employer branding, with The Little Agency's Mark Beavan , who stressed the importance of a data-driven, insight-led approach to crafting compelling employer stories. By intertwining case studies and real-world examples, Mark illuminated how to evoke emotion and create memorable narratives, ultimately enhancing our ability to attract and engage the right candidates with authenticity and impact.

Empathy in Leadership

After a delicious intermission (i.e., lunch), we were treated to Andli Litt - Assoc CIPD's exploration of "Empathetic Leadership", a deeply personal take on the impact empathetic leadership can have within an organisation. Drawing from her own experiences, Andli’s saga illustrated how such leadership not only enhances stakeholder engagement but also elevates the function's profile, proving its significance across industries.

Preparing for AI Transformation

Following this was Martyn Redstone "Launch Control: Preparing for your AI Transformation", which provided a practical guide to readying teams for AI integration. Highlighting the alliance required between AI innovators, project managers, and stakeholders, Martyn’s session equipped attendees with the strategies to effectively embrace AI, ensuring they are not left behind in this technological revolution. This led on well to the connection hour, which featured a number of facilitated meetings with our RL100 partners, who provided an array of tech and service suggestions to further aid attendees and their teams.

The Soapbox Soliloquy

With drinks served and meetings done, it was time for the rest of the attendees to take to the stage with the increasingly popular soapbox session. Always a fan-favourite, these sections of the Summits provide our TA leaders the chance to step into the spotlight and air any grievances, share recent hurdles, and, most importantly, find solidarity in the shared complexities of their roles. While it may have been devoid of that deus ex machina moment to magically resolve the current issues within the industry, this candid exchange fostered a sense of community and mutual support, reminding all that were present that while the path may be fraught with challenges, our Resourcing Leaders are not treading these boards alone.

The Art of Inclusion and Leadership with Cath Possamai

Finally, the climax of the day, and always a special moment that just can’t be replicated, Kirstie Kelly “A Conversation With…” section saw Cath Possamai play the protagonist this time, and share her illustrious journey in Talent Acquisition. Cath’s dialogue, rich with insights and anecdotes, illuminated her approach to inclusive leadership and her knack for embracing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Her philosophy of assuming inclusion, advocating for work-life balance, and tackling grand challenges not only enriched our understanding but also left us inspired. Cath's reflections, woven with humility and wisdom, underscored the unspoken strengths that define great leaders and the profound impact of fostering a balanced, inclusive workplace.

Embracing Neurodiversity in Recruitment

After a delightful evening including dinner, drinks, and further discussions, day two kicked off with Emma Coleman 's session, "Hiring in a Neurodiverse World”, which brought to the forefront the importance of inclusive recruitment practices that acknowledge the talents within the neurodiverse community. Emma advocated for a shift in perception, recognising the unique strengths and creativity that neurodiverse individuals contribute to the workforce.

Redefining the Future of Work

In the closing act of this Resourcing Leader’s Summit, Natalie Edmunds MCIPD delved into the "Future of Work Experience," offering insights into how organisations can craft enriching and meaningful work environments amidst changing work dynamics. A fitting end to another incredible Summit, in a locale so steeped in the annals of time, which served as the stage for conversations and discussions looking towards the future of TA. Here, amidst the echoes of history, our Resourcing Leaders community committed to pioneering the pathways that will redefine Talent Acquisition, embracing the challenge of transformation, with the same fervor that once inspired the bard's timeless works.

As always the success of the Resourcing Leaders Summits are a testament to all involved, particularly the incredible speakers and sponsors and so a huge thanks goes out to those that attended including PeopleScout, The Little Agency Zinc, Spotted Zebra , Paradox , Reed Talent Solutions and Elements Talent Consultancy . We are looking forward to returning to Stratford-Upon-Avon later on in the year, but in the meantime look out for our next Resourcing Leaders Summits in May!

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